![](https://images.amazon.com/images/P/B0002VE1U2.01.MZZZZZZZ.jpg)
NEW YORK (Inside Out U.S.) - The glory days of the great power trios are faithfully revisited as The Jelly Jam releases its sophomore album, 2. Huge and catchy guitar riffs are driven by a thunderously tight rhythm section, and are within song structures that swing from surgical precision to free-form instrumental jams. In other words, it's basically a "no holds barred" approach to a high-energy, melodic rock power trio. Interwoven are Ty Tabor's vocal skills and knack for melody, which are on display in abundance.
Their debut album, The Jelly Jam, took listeners on a memorable classic/progressive rock ride that placed each of the members' individual stamps on the finished product. The Jelly Jam 2 is very much a continuation of this same idea, if not adrenalized. It manages to meld aspects of King's X (Tabor), Dream Theater (Myung) and the Dixie Dregs (Morgenstein) without any single influence being the most obvious or overwhelming. There are certainly elements that recall the trio's former endeavors as Platypus - intricate performances, Ty's Beatlesque vocal harmonies, and spacey passages - but the songs of Jelly Jam are more cohesive, bass heavy, and even more focused than the direction in which Platypus was heading.
But still, fans of Platypus will be ecstatic to learn that, despite the departure of keyboardist Derek Sherinian, the eclectic group's three remaining members - guitarist/singer Ty Tabor, bassist John Myung, and drummer Rod Morgenstein - are still soldiering on as The Jelly Jam, more determined than ever.
"Those who are familiar with Platypus should know that it's not Platypus," advises Tabor. "It's different. It's more of a rock 'n' roll record, even though it's still very adventurous, because we can't play much of anything simple!"
Tabor continues, "And spaciness was still part of the whole 70s thing, that's where we all come from as far as our favorite music from our past, especially Rod and I. So it's what we naturally do easiest." Though Tabor cannot specifically pin down how The Jelly Jam represents something musically special, he says it's simply the result of a unique chemistry that he shares with his bandmates. "It became what it became because of our personalities, how we get along, how we play together, and just what we were hearing," remarks the singer. "It's not something I plan or dissect. It's just something that happens."
The Jelly Jam will be playing showcase dates in support of this release.
Jelly Jam's '2' tracklist:
Not Today (3:22)
Coming Round (3:37)
Empty (5:24)
Drop The Gun (3:04)
Allison (5:32)
Maybe (4:45)
She Was Alone (4:34)
Angel Or Devil (4:50)
You Don't Need Me Anymore (2:40)
Runaway (3:15)
War Is... (3:27)
Message (0:36)