by Jason Keil
Mahogany Throttle
Traverse (Soutrane)
Mahogany Throttle's second CD, the all-instrumental Traverse (released on local label Soultrane Records), is jammed to the hilt with raw organic guitar riffs and ragged tempo changes. It accurately shows their reverence to such 1970s progressive greats as Genesis and Yes, but turns into an unconventional alternative direction that fits the mold of many independent bands playing right now.
The three-piece band creates an operatic rock environment that is rhythmically sound yet sometimes lapses into moments when the listener thinks the disc is skipping. These occur more often than one would like, but never make things dull as the album's rapid pace remains engaging. The true beauty and contradiction of Traverse is that despite its frantic styling, the sound can be ignored if desired. This shouldn't be seen as a detriment but a testament to its smoothness and non-intrusiveness. Like a great jazz album, Traverse is so layered that it can work on many levels, whether as background music or to invite musical dissection of its blossoming sound.
--Mahogany Throttle's CD release party, Sept. 25, Onopa Brewing Company.
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