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McStine & Minnemann — McStine & Minnemann II
(Bandcamp no#, 2020, CD / DL)

by Jon Davis, Published 2021-11-08

McStine & Minnemann II Cover art

Here we have the second installment of the collaboration between Randy McStine and Marco Minnemann. These 16 tracks are very much in the same vein as those presented on their 2020 debut, and this is a case where lack of change is a fine thing. The songs are so inventive and packed full of creativity that “more of the same” equals “please, sir, can I have some more?” Every single aspect of this music is finely crafted and meticulously performed, but also manages to avoid the feeling of sterile precision that is the pitfall of so many recordings with such tricky arrangements. McStine and Minnemann have a knack for coming up with good ideas, tossing them out, and then moving on to something else. They’re not interested in dwelling on anything or working out multiple variations of the ideas, but making concise statements in pop-song length tracks. Obviously, with two guys playing all of these parts for guitars, bass, keyboards, drums, and vocals, they would need to recruit others if they ever wanted to perform the material live. The recruits would have to be exceptional players, and that is a band I would pay to see. But as it stands, McStine & Minnemann II is a thoroughly enjoyable listen, and I’m content with that.

Filed under: New releases, 2020 releases

Related artist(s): Marco Minnemann, Randy McStine

More info
http://mcstineminnemann.bandcamp.com/album/ii

 

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