If you remember a few days ago I told that, “So Embarrassing” the second album by Philadelphia rock band Capillary Action deserves a bit more pondering. Anyone who frequents this blog knows that we love eclecticism as long as it’s used in the authentic form of the word, “drawing upon multiple theories, styles, or ideas“. Capillary Action has taken eclecticism further with barely a few musical neighbours remaining (in my arsenal at least), the foremost being SF’s Mr. Bungle. Guitarist/Composer Jon Pfeffer and his Oberlin bandits, seem to have made a metal opera set out to destroy the puny concept of “genres” including elements of “samba, castanets, acoustic guitar, violins, batucada drums, surrealism, math rock, free jazz, brass and countless more”.

“So Embarrassing” resembles the concept album formula of the prog/rock opera format, where individual songs are not designed to stand out as much as the general feeling of the album (yet some do after a few listens). Under 32 minutes and 11 songs the band jettisons through different genres, elements and ideas leaving listeners with awe and the neon sign saying “what the fuck was that”. If you’ve been listening to Zappa, Mr. Bungle, Naked City or old rock operas during your musical journey Capillary Action might be the next logical step for you, but it might still be too much. It’s an amazing album for sure but it seems to have got too much going on even for the above-average listener. I wonder what your thoughts are? Self released on their own Pangaea Recordings.

If you’re in Europe be sure to check them out as they stroll through Czech Republic, Germany, Italy, Belgium, France & Switzerland, as fast as they shift genres though,