01	Machinery						03:34
	02	Lapse						03:49
	03	The Miscommunication Suite						05:23
	04	Tricycle						03:49
	05	Standoff						04:29
	06	Instability						03:21
	07	Puijilittatug						06:43
	08	Interchange 3						03:50
	09	A Horrible Croaking						02:01
	10	Not Every Song Finds A Name						08:08
	11	The Water Parted						05:47

Might Could - All Intertwined
Might Could - All Intertwined
Released: 2005
Label: independent
Cat. No.: n/a
Total Time: 50:59


Reviewed by: Marcelo Silveyra, September 2005

Acoustic guitars. Three of them. And a bass. That is all the instrumentation constituting Might Could's All Intertwined. That's right. No drums. No electricity. No vocals. No platypus-being-shown-platypus-pornography samples. Were it not for the existence of similar outfits in the progressive rock world, such as the California Guitar Trio, some might wonder where the hell the band was going to get any guts and rock verve. Well, if you for some reason were thinking about that, worry no more. Not only does Might Could have plenty of both guts and rock verve, but it also has the ability to deliver some of the best interlocking instrumentals this side of Discipline-era King Crimson with such gusto that Andy Tillotson, Aaron Geller, Tim McCaskey, and Luis Nasser have immediately shot up to the pantheon of this style of music. Deified with a single album? You bet your body part that belongs to your drill sergeant.

As soon as the first note goes off on this album, it's hard not to notice that something special is going on. Forget the stunningly gorgeous acoustic interplay, the flawlessly clear production, or the compositionally accomplished construction of each track; this goes well beyond mere technical aspects into realms that combine them with profoundly visceral emotions and drive. And as if that weren't enough, a rather interesting roster of sonic references surfaces without making this quartet get anywhere close to sounding like a cheap imitation of anyone else. Recalling previous sentence structuring, forget the interlocking guitars of eighties King Crimson; this goes well beyond this point of reference (a very valid one, by the way) to touch upon other interesting relatives: a vague hint of Gordian Knot when short acoustic solos are employed; a healthy dose of NES music influence, particularly on Geller's two contributions to the album; and a striking resemblance to an older acoustic In Flames that is particularly noticeable on "Standoff."

Crimson, progressive metal, video games, and death metal? Well, yes and no. For all we know, the members of Might Could might have never listened to In Flames' acoustic Black Ash Inheritance EP or to either one of Gordian Knot's albums. For all we know, Geller never played on an NES console, although this is rather unlikely. For all we know, not a single one of the three guitarists has ever listened to any music ever, although this is pretty much impossible. What we do know, however, is that all these references are useful in describing the approach of Might Could; one that is not truly exploring daring new ground, but which is carried out to sheer perfection. In fact, the perfection goes as far as to concern balance, which is evidenced in the alternation of tracks that are groups of persistent coils of interlocking guitar lines and ones that are either more lyrical or bohemian, leaving more breathing space despite the continued existence of the interlocking principle. Add to that a nice sense of melody and the somewhat jagged neurosis of the quirkily intense "A Horrible Croaking," and you've got yourself a winner. Now, ignore the time that "Puijilittatuq" consumes in finally taking off, and a couple of short moments throughout the album that aren't quite up there with the rest, and you probably have one of the best releases of this year. Do yourself a favor. Pick it up.

Similar artists: California Guitar Trio, 80s King Crimson, Gordian Knot

Rating: 4.5/5

More about All Intertwined:

Track Listing: Machinery (3:34) / Lapse (3:49) / The Miscommunication Suite: i. Turn Around - ii. Be Wrapped Up - iii. It Is On Coiled - iv. It Goes (Burns) Reeled Up - v. It Goes (Fire Wound) Arc (5:23) / Tricycle (3:49) / Standoff (4:29) / Instability (3:21) / Puijilittatuq (6:43) / Interchange 3 (3:51) / A Horrible Croaking (2:01) / Not Every Song Finds A Name (8:08) / The Water Parted (5:47)

Musicians:
Andy Tillotson - guitars
Aaron Geller - guitars
Tim McCaskey - guitars
Luis Nasser - bass

Contact:

Website: www.mightcould.net
Note: will open new browser window

Discography

All Intertwined (2005)


Might Could - All Intertwined
Might Could - All Intertwined
Country of Origin: USA
Format: CD
Record Label: Independent
Catalogue #: -
Year of Release: 2005
Time: 50:58
Info: Might Could
Samples: Click here

Tracklist: Machinery (3:34), Lapse (3:49), The Miscommunication Suite [i. Turn Around, ii. Be Wrapped Up, iii. It Is On Coiled, iv. It Goes [Burns] Reeled Up, v. It Goes [Fire Wound] Arc (5:23), Tricycle (3:49), Standoff (4:29), Instability (3:21), Puijilittatuq (6:43), Interchange 3 (3:51), A Horrible Croaking (2:01), Not Every Song Finds A Name (8:08), The Water Parted (5:47)

Might Could are a Maryland (USA) based instrumental ensemble who have crafted this, their aptly entitled sophomore album. This in turn follows up their self titled debut from 2003. Now it is not very often that album titles give any really clues as to what may be encompassed, however All Intertwined perfectly captures the essence of the music of acoustic guitarists Andy Tillotson, Tim McCaskey, Aaron Geller and bassist Luis Nasser.

No drums, no keyboards, but do not be fooled by the absence of these instruments, this is not twee album of gentle guitar noodling, far from it, this is a well written, intricate, interlocking guitar extravaganza. Drawing influences from Robert Fripp's Discipline era King Crimson, the music takes on many twists and turns as it unfolds. Now there may be a tendency for this kind of offering to become lost in its own technicality, but mercifully a strong sense of melody and harmonic structure prevails. The recording is also excellent, with all the instruments being distinguishable throughout, so it is possible to be enjoy these pieces on more than one level.

Now to try and condense the music from All Intertwined into a few short paragraphs would not do it justice, neither would it serve any useful purpose. My suggestion is simple - follow the "Samples" link above, click on Machinery and just listen. Three and a half minutes will tell you whether or not this album is for you. Personally I was hooked from the opening few bars, with my favourite selections being the excellent Standoff, Instability, The Water Parted and Machinery, but at the end of the day almost every track is a winner.

I would suggest that this album is very likely to appeal to fans of Robert Fripp, and those familiar with the recordings of the California Guitar Trio should definitely check out this album. And in my opinion a fair cross section from amongst the prog community might well find much to enjoy here. All Intertwined is a great album, and one that has given me immense pleasure whilst reviewing. I have played this album often over the last few weeks and will certainly continue to do so for many years to come.

Conclusion: 7.5 out of 10

BOB MULVEY