THE DISCO BISCUITS
Rocket 3
Diamond Riggs

One of many bands to follow Phish’s lead, the Disco Biscuits express themselves through improvisation with long instrumental jams. Live is the best way to experience them, and this relic from their New Year’s 2005 show at The Hammerstein Ballroom in New York will not disappoint Bisco fans. The night was fraught with emotion, as original drummer Sam Altman had decided to bow out of the group following the show. With this in mind, the band “recommitted themselves to producing the sickest, most insane music ever made while they still had all four original cylinders,” Relix contributor Benjy Eisen opines in the liner notes. That may be a bit of hyperbole, but Eisen is right when he acknowledges the power of this performance. Twelve minutes into the 32-minute opening opus, “Magellan,” guitarist Jon Gutwillig goes off on a run of jazz chords that truly astounds. The pace is quick and nimble, with bassist Marc Brownstein, keyboardist Aron Magner and Altman complimenting Gutwillig. Later, Magner’s piano elevates “Frog Legs,” which segues into “Crickets” (37 minutes total!). As for Altman, who according to Eisen had a good cry after the show, the drummer’s propulsive beats dominate this lengthy live disc. He may be gone (replaced by Allen Aucoin), but he’s not forgotten.

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