Both Shed Tech and Carbohydrates tried too hard to sound like the live product, and consequently suffered under the aforementioned jamband studio curse. Ton These, however, is different. By and large, Raq has concisely reinterpreted its sound to fit the studio mold and consequently, has a strong, well-rounded collection in their hands. While live staples “Booch Magoo” and album closer “Botz” contain much of the climactic, improvised punch on Ton These, it is the simpler, more succinct numbers that create the majority of jovial moments.

The studio is not a place for exploratory sessions, and when a band can jam with the best of them live, such restraint is sometimes impossible. Thankfully, for much of Ton These, Raq restrained itself from improvising, choosing to flex its strong songwriting muscles instead, which throughout its career have been shrouded under a thick layer of improvised fat. For example, “Forget me Not,” a frolicking piano-led track as good as anything Ben Folds Five released, clocks in at just over three minutes while “Glimpse,” a subtle ballad that showcases vocalist/pianist’s Chris Stoops’ improving vocal tone alongside a gorgeous guest performance from vocalist Ana Inoue is the best song on the album. Why? Precisely because there is no room for noodling within its tightly-wound melody. ”Will Run,” a funk-injected treat showcasing guitarist Chris Michetti, is drenched in Trey-crimped bravado, possibly from engineer Pete Carini’s influence, crafting a climactically relentless sojourn that sounds like the band began the song looking down from the top of Mt. Icculus. A definite triumph, Ton These breaks new ground for Raq, because it successfully deviates from the norm of favoring jam over song. Shain Shapiro