Few albums come full circle without dropping the ball a few times along the way, but Wheels Fall Off by Chicago based progressive art rock sextet Tautologic is one of them. After a short intro/slash nursery featruign the band's songwriter Ethan Sellers kids they are off for a visit to musical candy store, touching base with ska (Memo To Yourself), Zappa-esque instrumentals (Rocket Surgery) and breakneck speed folk (Fat, Dumb, and Happy, High School Reunion).
Tautologic cater to fans from so many genres that it could have turned into a muddy, faceless mess, but they are able to get to the core and add a smathering of bells and whistles that let each tracks shine like the queen of the prom. Whether it is funky disco (Covered In Grit) or a late night jazzy torch song (Summer, 1995), this band's really has both the stamina and the skills "to keep driving 'til the Wheels Fall Off".
Tautologic:
Emily Albright: violin, vocals
Pat Buzby: drums
Nathan Britsch: bass
Chris Greene: tenor and soprano sax
Jay Montana: electric guitars
Ethan Sellers: keyboards, vocals
Special guests:
Tom Culver: cello
Johnny Showtime Janowiak: trombone (Covered In Grit)
John Moore, Jr.: trumpet (Covered In Grit)
Ezekiel and Naomi Sellers: vocals (Wheels Fall Off (Intro))
Wheels Fall Off is released via Turtle Down Music (CD, digital). Release date: April 2.
Tracks:- Wheels Fall Off (Intro)
- That's What I Hear
- Memo To Yourself
- Rocket Surgery
- Fat, Dumb, and Happy
- Covered In Grit
- Exit Strategy
- Summer, 1995
- High School Reunion
- Wheels Fall Off