Album review: MIKE KENEALLY – The Thing That Knowledge Can’t Eat

Exowax Recordings [Release date 24.02.23]

Mike Keneally played keyboard and guitar with Zappa. More recently he’s provided similar support to Satriani. But on his latest solo album it’s the Zappa irreverence that comes out on the opening track ‘Logos’ which even has echoes of Todd Rundgren. At other times – as on ‘Lana’ – there is a Crimson-esque pallor to the proceedings. And maybe Keneally is even channelling inner-10cc on ‘Big Hit Song’.

The album was conceived and deployed via Keneally’s home studio which was crowd funded during Lockdown. You get the feeling that he’s having a bit of a blast freed from any outside constraints and with various new toys at his disposal.

It’s all a bit of an acquired taste straddling fusion and the lighter side of prog. The true standouts might be the two instrumentals ‘Celery’ with Steve Vai (and a Tull-esque mid-riff) and the jazzy ‘ACK’ which assembles a Dutch brass section.

‘The Carousel Of Progress’ proggy credentials are bolstered by Gentle Giant’s Malcolm Mortimer on drums but the choppy rhythms also remind of Peter Banks and Flash.

Keneally followers will like this album but the casual listener may find the mish-mash of styles tough going. ***

Review by David Randall

Featured Artist: JOSH TAERK

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Power Plays w/c 9 December 2024

In this sequence we play ‘The Best of 2024′ GRTR! reviewer selections

Featured Albums w/c 9 December 2024

09:00-12:00 The Best of 2024 (Melodic Rock)
12:00-13:00 The Best of 2003-2024 (Melodic Hard Rock)
14:00-16:00 The Best of 2024 (Singer Songwriter)