U.S.A

Addison Project is Richard Addison and a variety of impressively competent guest artists. The compositions on Mood Swings are sure to please anyone who ever enjoyed The Grassy Knoll...or virtually any other credible modern progressive jazz groups. In addition to providing thick and solid bass lines, Addison also acts as programmer in this endeavor. These tunes play like modern mood music with a beat. Sometimes the sound is spooky...at other times light and playful...and sometimes downright calm and reflective.

A variety of instruments and sounds keep things from ever becoming samey or dull...and they are all effectively incorporated into these finely textured pieces. Some of the melody lines are somewhat reminiscent of some of Frank Zappa's later work...and a few of the guitar leads remind us of Steve Hillage. These nine tunes hold up to many repeated spins...sounding better and better as familiarity sets in. Top picks: "Sleepwalking," "Mood Swings," "Mceuet," and "Controlled Freedom."

Excellent.

LMNOP (November 2003)

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