On sheer innovation alone this CD easily takes highest honors, an album this experimental, mixing this many genres is far and few between. Nuclear Rabbit are perhaps the most technically proficient band ever to grace the underground scene and their skill shines like an exploding supernova on this, their third release. The band combines middle eastern and Egyptian stylings with death metal, alternative, pop, rapcore, jazz and whatever else you can classify a band as. Comparison wise the band represents a mix of Incubus meets Primus on a heroic acid trip of epic proportions through the dungeons of the musical psyche bringing back the heads of the creatures of conformist restriction conquered by this refreshing blast of auditory adventure. A new vocalist highlights this release and in turn has led the band to shed its previous coat and start anew. Vocals are now provided by Jon who can bring to mind Incubus's Brandon Boyd with perhaps vague shades of former Faith No More vocalist Mike Patton but with a more graceful range. Groove heavy melodies, ability to carry a note and fearless experimentation are his trademarks as his voice compliments the music like a nerd does Dungeons and Dragons. Lyrically the album is alot less playful or pop culture influenced, although they still hold a very off center direction they instead seem to suggest of things more dark and sinister than any of the bands previous work. Guitars courtesy of Jason are very dexterous, alot of classical influences surface throughout his playing as well as clever use of dynamics and restraint that brings about suggestions of a Jazz background. It's not often for a guitarist to play so many riffs and yet never saturate the balance of instruments, instead having it just glaze over the band's distinct bottom heavy song structure. It's even more astounding yet that he does this while also taking spacious breaks heightening the music's intensity incrementally. Low end comes courtesy of a custom made 9 String bass that can traverse through so many tones and ranges it's hard not to be taken away by it. Growling rumbles, adept tapping done with a finesse that showcases complete technical prowess and outright incomprehensible riff patterns are all bright points of bassist Jean's playing which is without a doubt guaranteed to stump the mind of any budding musician. Indeed this album is another breath taking piece of playing by bassist Jean Baudin who is fastly becoming known as the underground scene's Les Claypool, although Jean's more refined style easily separates him apart from the latter. Drums are solid although perhaps the least prevalent instrument in the mix they serve well maintaining a steady beat, as at most points a very solid approach is taken. It's interesting to see the dynamics of a scaled down drum kit layered underneath such a chaotic bass structure and in the end this in turn pays off well for the band. The group also dabbles in random percussion in this release, be it striking cowbell sounds or bongo sounding assaults it all garnishes the basic elements of the band prolifically. All tracks stand out well on their own from the offbeat outro's/intro's to the dynamic song structure, this album is streamlined from top to finish. There is in fact only one downside to this CD though, and that is it's length, the CD keeps the listeners attention locked in tightly but the ride stops too short making one salivate for more new material. With this EP Nuclear Rabbit have re-invented themselves with a more digestible direction, it's rare that bands with this much talent and skill to create such excellent music step out beyond the lines to reinvent themselves, not too mention CD's that can keep even the keenest musicians ears perked after countless listens as this one does become more rare as the years pass. "More Human" is a must have CD for the sheer sake of ground broken on it. An epic release by all standards this album represents an auditory statement that should be studied for years to come.
(5 / 5)