On The Idiot King - Manring, Alexander and Skolnick build on the foundation of their debut, 1998's Attention Deficit, bringing a level of maturity into the songwriting on this sophomore release. Michael Manring (Michael... more » Hedges) first pulled Tim Alexander (Primus) and Alex Skolnick (Testament) together on his 1994 solo project Thonk. Each has brought with him the experience of working on other projects; Michael Manring's constant solo touring, Alex Skolnick's new found interest in pursuing more jazz and fusion in his new home of New York City, and Tim Alexander's continued explorations into rhythm. File under Prog rock. 11 tracks. 2001 release.« less
On The Idiot King - Manring, Alexander and Skolnick build on the foundation of their debut, 1998's Attention Deficit, bringing a level of maturity into the songwriting on this sophomore release. Michael Manring (Michael Hedges) first pulled Tim Alexander (Primus) and Alex Skolnick (Testament) together on his 1994 solo project Thonk. Each has brought with him the experience of working on other projects; Michael Manring's constant solo touring, Alex Skolnick's new found interest in pursuing more jazz and fusion in his new home of New York City, and Tim Alexander's continued explorations into rhythm. File under Prog rock. 11 tracks. 2001 release.
CD Reviews
Technical groove and improvisation
bjblair01 | 05/27/2001
(5 out of 5 stars)
"Alex Skolnick, Michael Manring and Tim (Herb) Alexander have really clicked on this album. Their first album was good, but this one just smokes. Instrumental grooving improvizational rock with touches of jazz, funk and I don't know what else. This thing will be stuck in my cd player for a LONG time..."
Unbelievable!!!!
bjblair01 | Monterey, CA | 10/16/2001
(5 out of 5 stars)
"This is my 1st cd by Attention Deficit and I plan on getting their other very soon. This disc ROCKS!!!!!!!!!! Being a bassplayer I am in utter awe of Manring's playing. Alexander's drumming throughout is simply stellar, and Skolnick sounds incredible!! Great mix of jazz/rock/prog fusion... track 10, Nightmare on 48th St. is sooooooooooo killer, monster drums!!!!!!! INCREDIBLY GREAT INSTRUMENTAL CD!!!!!"
This, ummmmm , oh - ya , wait, what was I saying...
A. Silber | Damascus-ish MD | 10/25/2005
(4 out of 5 stars)
"A great album... 4.66 stars. These three are helping to bring fusion into the next millennium. They play very well together. Tim Alexander is an amazing drummer. Manring also is a master. In fact I like his bass on this album more so than on At War with Self (which is also a great album). There are two reasons why I do not give it 5 stars... 1) It seems as if more time could have been spent composing the songs, rather than the project being a great jam session. 2)I would not have minded Alex showing off more so. A couple of times he settled for playing minimal sounds. Great music! Highly recommend!"
About Time
B. Smith | Gaithersburg, Maryland United States | 09/04/2001
(5 out of 5 stars)
"This album is absolutly the best music Ive heard in years. It is about time someone put out an album of such magnitude. Alex Schkolnik, Tim Alexander and Micheal Manring are the best fusion/rock/mteal combo Ive ever heard. I cannot say enough about this album. It will take you places youve never been. Buy it, and you will NOT be dissapointed."
Track Listings (11) - Disc #1