Tautologic Album Review ‘Wheels Fall Off’ (is musical Rocket Surgery)

Tautologic Album Review ‘Wheels Fall Off’ (is musical Rocket Surgery)

Tautologic Album Review ‘Wheels Fall Off’ (is musical Rocket Surgery)

It’s not every day that an album so different and original crosses my desk. ‘Wheels Fall Off’ the newest album from Chicago-based, Tautologic, immediately caught my attention and I had to review it here at www.jambandpurist.com ‘Wheels Fall Off’ has reached #8 on the charts via jamband.com and is already receiving rave criticism. I am proud to share this exclusive Album Review with all of my loyal readers. Thanks for keeping this site alive with your readership. You all make it worthwhile.

While I’d love to review this entire album, I want to delve deep into the songs that caught my attention the most and give my descriptions and overall thoughts on each. Over the past two years, I have strived to focus on things that mean the most to me, and music always takes precedent. I have started to make a ritual of listening to these albums while I review them and I focus all of my energy on becoming the music, embodying it, and understanding it. ‘Wheels Fall Off’ is an experience in and of itself. My first thoughts were filled with originality and the sonic compositions that make up each arrangement. I was captivated by the lyrical development with an almost classical compositional feel. Tautologic is certainly living up to its motto: “Perfectly normal music for slightly odd people.“ ‘Wheels Fall Off’ features: Ethan Sellers (keys/vocals/production), Patrick Buzby (drums), Nathan Britsch (bass), Chris Greene (Tenor/Soprano Sax), Emily Albright (violin, vocals), and Jay Montana (guitar). Tautologic also had some help from special guests: Tom Culver (cello), Johnny Showtime Janowiak (trombone), John Moore, Jr. (trumpet), and Sellers’ children. It will be hard for me to isolate individual names with instruments so I’ll name them here and refer to the instrument itself instead of the musician. Let’s get this review on the road until the wheels fall off.

The opening title track “Wheels Fall Off” is the introduction to the album as well as the final track. I’ll start here with the Alpha and Omega of this album. “Wheels Fall Off” is very much an anthem song. “Let’s keep driving till the wheels fall off" was most definitely stuck in my head for a few days after listening. One of the interesting things about “Wheels Fall Off” and many songs on the album is how relatable the lyrics are. The song tells a simple story about a man and a car mixed in a metaphor for life itself. The narrator seemingly growing old like the vehicle itself. The narrator is the vehicle. Musically this song transitions smoothly from anthem to melody and truly exemplifies Tautologic‘s sound and songwriting abilities.

“That’s What I Hear” is riff heavy and immediately the horns are highlighted and make this track a full composition that is vibrant and full. Many of the albums I review here at JBP do not do a great job of recording the brass or horns but ‘Wheels Fall Off’ is consistent and has some great recording qualities. The electric piano solo at 1:31 followed by the horns mimicking is a great touch that caught my attention. The vocals themselves also distinctly emerge in this recording. "That’s What I Hear" is highly progressive and thought-out.

“Rocket Surgery” has an almost Celtic, Prog-Rock compositional feel. The horns again play a huge part in the sonic foundation of this track. “Rocket Surgery” is as Progressive as they come and the obvious Zappa influence or even ELP influence is undeniable. As a huge Frank Zappa fan "Rocket Surgery" is right up my alley and I had to include it on the list of tracks from this album that are a must-listen.

The bass line in, “Covered In Grit” takes precedence and drives this song forward juxtaposing with the clavinet. I enjoy the lyrics and the breakdowns from each member which feels like a straight Funk song. "Covered In Grit" is a quick track that shows the diversity of this band and its members. I'd love to see more tracks from Tautologic that are Funk-based just to see what they could do with them.

“Exit Strategy” is my favorite track from ‘Wheels Fall Off’ and its musicality and compositional structure are unmatched. The heavy bass and overlying synth are eerie yet angelic, just the way I like it. "Exit Strategy" is the most "Jam" track from this album and shows the guitarist's versatility and formidable skill. If I were to pick any song to show my readers from this album it would be "Exit Strategy." This song goes hard.

I can relate to the next track on 'Wheels Fall Off,' "High School Reunion" the lyrics are fun and playful and that translates to the listener. The vocal stylings of the lead singer are very Alt-Rock perhaps like, Modest Mouse or The Postal Service but this pairs well with the other similar tracks on 'Wheels Fall Off.' The saxophone solo at the end of "High School Reunion" really ties the track together and leaves a lasting imprint in its conclusion.

Again, it was a pleasure to review this album and for Tautologic to reach out to me here at www.jambandpurist.com. I am thoroughly impressed with the overall concept of 'Wheels Fall Off' and the message that Tautologic is bringing to its audience. It’s no wonder it reached #8 on the Jamband charts. I think Tautologic are living up to the definition of their namesake, "true by virtue of its logical form alone." Hopefully Tautologic are able to play some live shows in the future and work up even more exemplifying compositions to record. I looked forward to what they bring next.

Follow Tautologic Here for More:

http://www.tautologic.com/

https://tautologic.bandcamp.com/

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