Featured Artist: CCA: Cushma, Cides, Alexander

CD Title: Not Different But Not The Same

Year: 2008

Record Label: Independent

Style: Fusion

Musicians: Linda Cushma (vocals, stick, loops), Guillermo Cides (voice, stick, piano, moog), Tim Alexander (drums)

Review:

Notwithstanding illustrator Nuno Enriquez’ engaging Wild-West type freak-show depictions gracing the CD packaging foldouts, there’s some serious futuristic progressive rock going on here.  With the core trio aided by the likes of the one-time King Crimson dynamic duo of Warr guitarist Trey Gunn and Chapman Stick denizen Tony Levin abetting the festivities, the hardcore wall-of-sound delivers a thoroughly modern muse.  

Constructed via the Internet through various points in the USA and in South America with international guest artists rounding out the affair, drummer Tim Alexander (Primus), generates the thrusting backbeats amid his multitasking bandmates’ flowing aerial assaults.  EFX maestro and stick artist Guillermo Chides assists with the fluid undertow, as vocalist Linda Cushman balances out the edge on many of these beefy pieces, while also performing on the stick and injecting electro-loops into the program. 

The progressive-rock element is focused upon ominous and pungent basses, crunching guitars and sweeping synth swashes, where the trio and guest artists impart odd-phrasings and wide-open soundstages into various works.  Nonetheless, this is a Stick lovers delight.  Moreover, the musicians morph phased-out backdrops into various passages.  Even though, certain pieces could easily translate into forward-thinking pop-rock sensibilities.  But the future is now as they say. 

They pursue balladry via memorable hooks while often going for a bottom-heavy sound, occasionally enamored with horns samples and sinewy stick phrasings.  And on “Helens Mountain,” they breakout into a classic King Crimson-like riff session atop deep bass parts and knotty time signatures.  Elsewhere, the artists fuse oddball effects with a full-fledged sonic attack and delve into some prog-tango developments during “Amor De Bandoneon.”  Ultimately, the end-results prove to be undeniably beneficial on all counts.  Recommended listening.

Record Label Website: http://www.stickcenter.com

Artist's Website: http://www.stick.com

Listen or Buy: CD Baby

Reviewed by: Glenn Astarita

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