Magpu

Far more patient than their debut, Project Pu is a collection of rough jams, four-track futzing, and general weirdness. With the addition of MIDI xylophonist Cliff McCarthy since its 1998 disc In the Land, the band's sound has rounded out, gaining more focus with an extra percussionist. The music on In the Land is surprisingly laid back, combining the band's prog and jam band influences to come out sounding remarkably like the more focused jams of the later-period Grateful Dead. Brian Cox's guitar is more melodic, blending sweetly with McCarthy and Kurt Kistler's keyboards. Each band member plays an equal rhythmic role. The disc, mostly made up of live rehearsal jams, is intercut with various experiments featuring any number of instruments or voices run through any number of effects processors, loops, and tape decks. The result is oddly soothing and a far, melodious cry from the proggy bravado of In the Land. ~ Jesse Jarnow, All Music Guide