The Prescription Review Issue #14 - "Harmonizing the Funk Jam"
by Daniel R Nierenberg
4 stars out of 5
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What do you get when you put Bill Schmidt, Mike Kemmlein, Rich Bozek, and Dan Noonan in a recording studio armed to the teeth with music instruments and recording equipment? You get Forman’s brand-spankin new album Balance. Released early 2008, Balance is a most excellent addition to their repertoire. The new album is a testament to Forman’s commanding and unique style of Prog Rock/Funk/Blues/Jazz/Jam and to the band’s uncanny ability to astonish fans and listeners, alike.
Forman appeared in the first ever issue of the Rx in September 2005 as the subjects of the first Backstage Confessions. I remember, through heavy inebriation, meeting Forman for the first time backstage, hence the magazine’s installment, at a show at the General Clinton Pub in Oneonta, NY. The editor-in-chief and I had been sizing up the bar, and luckily we had our questions pre-written and our trusty tape recorder.
Let me tell you, we were very excited to get our hands on a copy of their new album (thanks Mike). I was surprised when I listened to Balance for the first time. Having spent much of my time watching Forman perform in the bars and on the streets of Oneonta, their studio tracks are much different than live recordings or what had been heard through a PA.
My amazement didn’t stop there. As the tracks turned out of the stereo, the songs seemed more mellow than my memories of Forman live. But without a room of obnoxious, filthy drunk college students surrounding me, their music took on an unfamiliar wavelength. The reality was I was rediscovering the music of Forman through Balance.
Balance is a beautiful studio masterpiece. The instrumentals and the vocals are very crisp and clean. Immediately, you recognize the uncommon dynamic shared between the band members. Their ability to play together only improves upon the overall musicianship, even though all the members of Forman freakin rock, and where one player may step back after ripping out a terribly funky jam line or rock riff, the others are there to take that place.
I haven’t figured out how, but Forman’s preternatural weaving style can only stem from one of two things: the sheer enjoyment of sharing a common muse or a superhuman telepathic link amongst the band.
Regardless, what makes Balance such a cool album is it shows how the band transcends the genres of Funk, Jazz, Jam, and Prog Rock, either playing all at once or alternating through each, even in a single song. The track “Deed” begins with the amblings of a folky rock progression but switches to a seemingly industrial drum beat then mixes to a Prog Rock string then into some thumpin funky rock, crescendoing in a ballad finish.
Song’s like “Brett’s Jam”, “Pound” (personally #1 in my top 3), and “Up to You” have great vocal tracks and harmonies. “Debasement in the Basement” and “Up to You” span the realms of Funk and Blues, a funk so mellow when it hits you, your eyelids will droop and you can’t help but crack a lip-splitting smile.
The #2 and #3 spots of my personal favorites are held by “Abu’s Karma” and Runaway”. My favorite Balance top 3 tracks are one-hundred percent pure blood Forman, and I say that because while listening to “Runaway”, “Abu’s Karma”, and “Pound”, I couldn’t help but feel those songs inherited the raw, vibrant electric sounds of intricate arrangements and complex lines from the college years. The driving guitars, the chest buzzing bass hits, and the highly addictive drum cuts are what always drew me to Forman.
The play between the keyboard and the guitar and the sweet flange work are what really pushed me beyond on “Abu’s Karma”. And “Pound” slipped into my #1 spot, because as soon as you play it, the driving rhythm pushes you to frenzy. The riffs are crawling, and the vocals are howling.
And after much deliberation with music fans, as well as much self introspection, Balance is a perfect title for this album from a listener’s perspective, even more so from a Forman fan’s.
So take my word for it. Do yourself a favor and check out Forman’s newest release Balance at www.formanband.com.
from the iTunes store
by P Lee
5 stars out of 5
Forman can flat out jam. Their independence and ability to improvise is awesome. I enjoy the variety in this album, it has something for everyone. I highly recommend it.