Namesake Caution

How many modern-day prog bands can say that pianist Julee Cruise and Kate Pierson of the B-52's have appeared on their albums? Not many — but Time of Orchids is not your average, ordinary band. Hailing from New York, this four piece hasn't been afraid to challenge listeners thus far, so why stop a good thing with their sixth release overall, 2007's Namesake Caution? Once more, you get a potpourri of jaggedly disjointed tunes that may prove to be too hard to digest for some, but isn't that the whole point? Standouts include the Syd Barrett-era Pink Floyd sounds of "In Color Captivating," the vintage Shudder to Think-esque "Windswept Spectacle," as well as jazz-prog that bears more than a passing resemblance to early-'70s Frank Zappa on "Gem." With most prog-y bands of the early 21st century going the metal route, Time of Orchids is one of the few bands that specializes in "tricky bits" while not forfeiting melody/harmony, and not relying on distortion pedals and detours into Slayer territory.