Revolution on Ice

Much of the immediacy of "Revolution on Ice" springs from the over-the-top sitar & Mellotron sound, lush and textured, but featuring the Oastemic power of positive skronk and the joys of a simple fuzztone twiddle. Although Fleming is a bit more sympathetic this time around, on the surface he and keyboardist Malcolm Riviera seem to be on a never-ending quest to play all of rock's archetypal roles at once—angst- ridden naïf and swaggering guitar hero, geeky outsider and king snake, yin and yang. Often as not, Gumball simply ends up as post-modernism's very own Wizard of Oz. But that's just the beginning. Heaviness abounds throughout, from the stuttering, distorted drum explosions to the ragged, mangled chords squeezed from their stoner Marshall triple-stacks. The band is gently cooing "Let me go, rock and roll" to their fans ... this dreamily resigned Gumball shares more sonic ground with The Monks than any fist-pumping arena rock bands. Revolution on Ice's mature mood suits the band wonderfully, meaning that their bass player Rico has finally grown up, or more likely, that the band is breaking up. Either way, Revolution is one of the band's best efforts. (An Internet-only companion, "Bring me the Giant White Bishop's Head", was released in September of 2000. Many of its 25 tracks are alternate versions of Revolution items.)

Cd is perfect. ship quickly

This CD is worth seeking out if you're into 90's rock with a 70's flair. I originally bought this album based on a review in a guitar magazine, and I've enjoyed it for years. There's nothing earth-shaking here, just solid rock songs with guitars and some organ. The song "She's As Beautiful As A Foot" is a cover of an old Blue Oyster Cult tune, and captures that bands' creepy vibe.