His addition of Nasca Lines, in the vein of Al Di Meola's Midnight Tango, fits nicely within this collection. With albums of this nature there's a given that not everything will appeal to all. But that's not necessarily the case here. Much like a Watermelon Records collection from a few years ago, this sounds like it was pieced together with the love and care this music deserves. The West African rhythms of Kotoja eventually mix into the Celtic airs of Capercaille, through the folk guitar of Dougie MacLean, to end with the heavy bass thump and dance groove of Laura Love.
Nothing seems out of place.
Just when the Orange County sound starts getting mouldy, a pleasant surprise always seems to pop up. This time it's Ten Foot Pole, proving its versatility. The token So-Cal sound remains, with its power pop rhythms, but this time there's a dimension of improvisation and interesting instrumental work. Perhaps Ten Foot Pole is moving ever so slightly away from its Epitaph compadres. So we know who had the edge.