3 - Wake Pig (2005)

3, a number made popular by the late Nascar racing legend Dale Earnhardt. Odd number for a band name, or is that odd name for a band number? Ha ha! In this band's case, odd is an apt adjective when trying to describe these guys. Even the bio sheet that came with my promo copy double dares any music writer to describe the "3" sound. Were that task up to some young punk barely out of mommy and daddy's Volvo, I'd have to concede that the dare holds some weight. I, however, am not that easily put aside, and my references as to who (and what) these guys sound like came easy with my first listen of Wake Pig.

You'll find a big Rush and IQ influence on Wake Pig, along with Faith No More flourishes and quirky Primus moments, with an added touch of the mangled pop inventions of '80s new wave legends Wall of Voodoo. Then there are the obvious influences of acoustic guitar tapping pioneers Preston Reed, Phil Keaggy and Peter Finger. Singer Joey Eppard sounds at times similar to Rush's own Geddy Lee, but retains a much more melodic identity and a singer/songwriter flair. So with the dare met and my description on target, let me revel in the intended pun; I got their number!

Now that I've whipped it out, hung it over the bridge, and can tell you indeed that the water is cold, let me lavish the accolades due to this stalwart group of musicians. Yes, musicians! They play instruments with ease and aplomb. The songs are quotient filled with hooks, creativity and utter genius. Unlike most progressive bands, 3 has a card to play that no one has used this effectively, and that is an acoustic guitar mischievously lining all the songs. Not until track five will you really notice it's impact on the music, but from there on, and with subsequent listens, you'll discover it's integral part in what makes the 3 aesthetic so pleasing and unique. A lot of times, the acoustic guitar is cleverly manipulated with stompbox effects like chorus, flanger and delay. The keyboard plays its role well, too, with a synthesizer-styled sound rather than a classical pianist's flair for technicality. Sound sculpting basically, rather than chops expositions.

Add to this mix a bass guitar reminiscent in sound to that of Kajagoogoo (another '80s new wave band) and a drummer content with playing a simplified form of Neal Peart. The final flavor in the recipe? A masterful guitarist who knows that less is more and more is more, respectively. Such is the main factor in the genius of 3: everything has its place and they play to the song's requirements -- no more, no less.

I can honestly say I have not been this impacted by a prog band since I first heard Rush's "Tom Sawyer" years ago on the radio. There have been many bands since that inspired me and I love, but they are usually just variations on a theme. 3 have created their own theme. Some influences can be heard on Wake Pig, but no band alive can shun influences. Nor should they want to, because music is much like our own human race. We are all products of those who came before us and we all retain our family influences and those get passed down and changed slightly and get passed down again and again and so life continues.

Take a chance on 3 and I doubt you'll be disappointed. We will all certainly hear more of them, more and more, because the secret's out! These guys are the real deal! (Metal Blade Records)

Review by David Atkinson, copyright 2005

(Click on the CD cover to buy Wake Pig from Amazon.com)