Ray Riendeau: Atmospheres (2010)

My good friend and killer bassist Ray Riendeau (‘ree-end-oh’… you’re welcome) is about to release an album of original material that very well may be one of the most shredding albums I’ve heard in years.

Featuring guys like Alex Machacek, David “Fingers” Haynes, Lalle Larsson, Marco Sfogli, Ward Aycock, Martin Diamond, Rob Michael, Nat Janoff, Ron Jarzombek, Jeff Kollman & Derek Taylor… you may wonder how that many guys fit in one room? One reason I’m digging this album so much is exactly because Ray has proven without a doubt that one can record an album ‘virtually’ across state lines, country borders and oceans and still maintain a consistency and level of interaction that some never get even when in the same room.

While definitely not easy listening, it’s also a very musical affair with some beautiful bass solos and astounding guitar work by all involved.

I think I’m most impressed by Ray’s compositions here. He’s definitely matured light years beyond his previous releases (which I also dug!). While previously, there may have been pyrotechnics for their own sake, he is really speaking through his music on Atmospheres and every note played throughout is saying something. Nice job Ray!! -- Damian Erskine

Tracklist:

1. Cosmic Dust (feat. Lalle Larsson, Marco Sfogli & Ward Aycock)

2. The Alchemist (feat. Alex Argento, Derek Taylor & Marco Sfogli)

3. Parasite (feat. Jeff Kollman & Marco Sfogli )

4. Alias (feat. Greg Koch)

5. Pavor Nocturnus (feat. Alex Machacek & Matt Guillory)

6. Slumber (feat. Nat Janoff)

7. Architeusthis Dux (feat. Nat Janoff)

8. Translucent (feat. Rob Michael)

9. Electro-jazz (feat. Nat Janoff)

10. A Search For Lifeforms (feat. Ron Jarzombek)

Atmospheres
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Chad Smith's Bombastic Meatbats: Meet the Meatbats (2009)

“A journey through funk, punk, and beyond”…welcome to Chad Smith’s Bombastic Meatbats. Most of you know Chad Smith as the drummer for Red Hot Chili Peppers and Chickenfoot. As if that weren’t enough diversity for one resume, he is back with a completely new project that I can’t even classify.

Introducing the Meatbats: guitarist Jeff Kollman, keyboardist Ed Roth, bassist Kevin Chown, and of course Chad Smith (on drums, duh!). Do they sound like Red Hot Chili Peppers? Do they sound like Chickenfoot? Do they sound like Red Hot Chickenfeet?

Yes and no. First of all, the big difference is that there are no vocals. That’s right, kids, this is an instrumental album. They are also calling it “jazz”. But this ain’t your daddy’s jazz. Chad Smith’s Bombastic Meatbats fuse together elements of classic rock, old school funk, blues, and 70s lounge/R&B. The CD plays almost like a long jam session that we’ve been invited to attend. Not my usual selection off the musical menu, but this is an intriguing listen and will be fun to play at parties. But like most instrumental records, ultimately I feel the band is getting a lot more enjoyment making the music than I am listening to it. A key standout, however, is the often brilliant keyboards by Roth.

I dug the funky “Need Strange”, bluesy “Bread Balls”, and the very cool David Gilmour-inspired closer, “Into the Floyd”.

“Meet The Meatbats” was just released on September 15th on Warrior Records / Universal Music Distribution. They are also holding a drum solo contest, with prizes including a drum kit, personal call from Chad Smith (whoever wins, please ask if the next Chickenfoot album will be better than the first), signed swag and more.

Meet the Meatbats

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