Though it's been well over 20 years since Mike Keneally played alongside the late Frank Zappa, the spirit of the innovator still permeates much of the material that this multi-instrumentalist, vocalist, and composer creates. You Must Be This Tall is Keneally's 24th solo release...yep, you read that right, 24 solo albums to his ever expanding discography. As is generally the case, Mike offers up a wide variety of sounds and styles here, though fans of his virtuoso guitar skills will be happy to know that much of the CD is very guitar dominated and filled with plenty of intricate progressive rock/jazz fusion/avant-garde styled arrangements.
The opening title track echoes the ghost of Zappa with some wild guitar excursions over complex jazz rhythms, with Keneally providing all the guitar, bass, keyboards, and programmed drums while the human drum machine Marco Minnemann adds his mighty talents as well. It's a great way to start the CD and is a sign of things to come. "Cavanaugh" is moody, jazz fusion/pop with some engaging melodies and a great chorus, while "Cornbread Crumb" is a fun, smooth jazz-fusion piece featuring some Keneally buddies like Joe Travers (drums), Bryan Beller (bass), and Rick Musallam (rhythm guitar). Frank Zappa-meets-Gentle Giant-meets-Dream Theater on the complex rocker "Kidzapunk", as Mike's zany vocal arrangements collide with herky jerky musical passages for a truly exciting listening experience. The menacing "Pitch Pipe" contains some insane guitar work, and "The Rider" is a Beatles styled pop number with some solid hooks. On "Popes", Keneally goes for a rootsy, folky vibe, and "Indicator" sees him reunited with his Wing Beat Fantastic partner Andy Partridge (XTC) for a fun little guitar based ditty that is a leftover from their 2012 sessions. Closing out the album is "Glop", an aptly titled quirky fusion piece drenched with distorted guitar that once again recalls vintage Zappa. Mike is all over the place on this one, proving yet again what an immense talent he really is.
Throw in a few brief keyboard instrumentals that are spaced in between the main songs, and you have a very varied and fun collection of material from the always dependable Mike Keneally. You have to love how he always makes sure to give the listener more than enough musical virtuosity to go along with some engaging and catchy melodies, both of which in his hands ultimately make for a winning combination.
Track Listing
1. You Must Be This Tall 4:52
2. Cavanaugh 3:51
3. Plum 0:40
4. Cornbread Crumb 6:32
5. Kidzapunk 4:45
6. Pitch Pipe 4:19
7. The Rider 6:47
8. Bolarius 0:43
9. Popes 2:51
10. Indicator 1:26
11. 5th Street 1:56
12. Glop 5:27
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