This has got to be one of the most overrated groups playing at this time. I heard mp3s off their first two, and could not understand what all the hubub was about. This new album is no different. While I did not find this disc completely unenjoyable, I was hardly moved. DON CABALLERO were way better than these guys. I keep reading stuff about their “complexity” of which there is no proof of on this disc. I guess this music is complex for wet-behind-the-ears college indie doofuses who do not know any better. Their bio states “Restoring instrumental composition to its former glory is no insignificant task, and bands that do so in their own fashion, and pull it off convincingly, are few and far between”. I want to know what they mean by “former glory” and what do these guys think that they are doing that is so ground breaking to bring back the “former glory”. There is nothing here to back up this sweeping statement. These guys are not the MAHAVISHNU ORCHESTRA of the new millennium (if that's what they are getting at) by a long shot. I do not hear much for musical prowess except maybe for “March to the Sea”.

My next question is where's the friggin' metal? Quite a bit of this sounds like instrumental emo. I have no problem with the tone of the 6-strings (nice big sound that only killer tube amps can achieve), but could they have used more diverse effects to make up for their lack of technique other than just distortion, reverb and delay? Their acoustic stuff sounds so absolutely pedestrian when put up against GASTER DEL SOL, FLAP, THE CALIFORNIA GUITAR TRIO or anyone with true talent. Their rhythm section is really nothing to write home about either. The drumming is unremarkable, thin, and muddy (some better mikes, mike placement or drum set could have helped to a degree). The bass is fairly non-existent and just plods through. Not a single member in this group does anything outstanding and the sum of its parts is hardly any better (screamo acts like QUELL and FEAR BEFORE THE MARCH OF FLAMES could effortlessly crush these guys if they got rid of their annoying front men). That said, this band has potential and could turn into something worthwhile in a few years. That would be the case if they actually progress and ignore their own undeserved hype. If the members of this group had anything to do with their laughable bio (or god forbid, believes it), then it’s probably safe to say that PELICAN is not destined for greatness at all.

- Herring

OFFICIAL SITE: myspace.com/pelican

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