Frogg Cafe
2001
Sea of Tranquility
Review by Pete Pardo
January 26, 2003
Wow, just where has this band been hiding? Sounding like a hybrid of Gentle Giant, Dixie Dregs, Frank Zappa, Hands, and the Mahavishnu Orchestra, this New York based band has put together a very impressive debut here, filled with stunning, complex instrumental arrangements, intelligent melodies, and a firm foot in progressive rock and jazz tradition.
Kicking off with "Deltitnu", the band goes for your jugular with a complex violin led ditty that is like the perfect marriage of the Dixie Dregs and Gentle Giant. Bill Ayasse is a monster on the violin, as his weaving, melodic lines permeate most of the CD's songs in fine fashion. The two-part "Candy Korn" mixes some jazzy, trumpet led dark instrumental passages with vocal sections that brought to mind vintage Kansas, while "Old Souls" is a more rockin' tune with complex guitar and violin over strong vocals that ask the questions of the afterlife. Piano, guitar, and violin do battle on the wonderful "While You Were Sleeping", a somber instrumental that soars with majestic melodies and clever instrumental breaks. I was again reminded of Hands or Gentle Giant on the song "Old Man", from the multiple vocal harmonies to the acoustic meets electric instrumentation, it just screams classic 70's prog. The band goes for insane complex workouts on "Space Dust", a tune that guitarist Frank Camiola and violinist Bill Ayasse really shine, while the band again hits a slight Kansas tone on "Questions Without Answers", complete with a little nod to Zappa's "Inca Roads" thrown in for good measure.
This is just simply a fine performance from a band that would really strike a positive nerve with progressive rock and fusion lovers given some exposure. All the players are outstanding, as I should mention also James Guarnieri on drums, Nick Lieto on trumpet and keys, and Andy Sussman on bass and guitars. This five piece delivers the goods in a big way, and a new CD is in the works for 2003. I'll be looking forward to it.
The Giant Progweed
Review by Mike Prete
October 2001
Long Island quintet Frogg Cafe's debut is a strong slice of uniquely American progressive rock. The band's main acknowledged influence is Zappa, originally having been a Zappa cover band, and even quote the main theme to "Inca Roads" in "Questions Without Answers". At other times, the strong lead violin sound is reminiscent of the band Hands. Atop this is a strong jazz-based undercurrent. The band alternates from light and airy piano or violin parts to darker and more intense guitar dominated passages, creating a nice dynamic contrast. The unique addition of trumpet adds interesting tonal colors not usually associated with symphonic prog.
At times the music can be a rocking, fast paced fusion like in "Old Man", or at others a more mellow and traditional jazz sound like "While You Were Sleeping". Most songs tend to combine both aspects to create a successful end product. The vocals aren't exactly a strong point, but are not distracting in any way. Occasional harmony vocals are used to good effect. The majority of the songs are instrumental and emphasize the player's strengths. Fans of symphonic fusion looking for something a little different will most likely enjoy this one.
Goodtimes Magazine
Review by Richard Hughes
Who says progressive rock is dead? Certainly not the members of Frogg Cafe. Their new self-titled CD is jam-packed with numbers full of a kind instrumental ingenuity that you rarely see anymore.
The overall sound of the band evokes the memories of a number of gone-but-not-forgotton bands of the 70s, from such jazz-influenced groups as John McLaughlin¹s Mahavishnu Orchestra, Chic Corea¹s Return to Forever, and Gentle Giant, to classical-influenced songs like Yes and Kansas. There is also a clear Frank Zappa influence - not surprising, since Frogg Cafe began their life as a Zappa cover band.
You might think the sound of such a band would be dated, but it¹s not. Something about the energy of the music, and the musical talent of the band members, makes the music fresh and current. Frogg Cafe is a 5-piece band, and each of the 5 members is an accomplished musician. The sound is often dominated by a combination of Bill Ayasse's violin, and Nick Lieto¹s keyboard, with Lieto throwing in some fine trumpet playing also. Andy Sussman on bass and guitar, Frank Camiola on guitar and bass, and James Guarnieri on drums provide the song's structures. Lieto also provides excellent lead vocals, much in the vein of Kansas' Steve Walsh, with strong backing vocals by Ayasse and Sussman.
The songs on Frogg Cafe vary, from somewhat atonal jazzy epics, to songs of great beauty. Among the loveliest numbers are Questions Without Answers, which features exquisite instrumental work, and perhaps the strongest vocal on the CD, and Old Souls, perhaps the album's most accessible and radio friendly number. Old Man also falls into the quietly beautiful category.
Deltitnu, Candy Korn Parts 1 and 2, Space Dust, and While You Were Sleeping tend more towards atonality, and focus on long instrumental passages. Much credit has to go to this band for following their artistic impulses, and swimming against the current trends. Although some of the music may seem strange at first listen, this is a CD well worth taking the time to appreciate. Frogg Cafe's website is www.froggcafe.com.
Io-Pages Nr. 44
April 2003
Review by Rene Ydema
(translated from the original Dutch)
Lovers of obnoxious sounding progressive jazzrock can take a deep breath again, because just as is the case with Audiosynchrocy the New York based Frogg Cafe succeeds to get a grip on you straight away with their debut-cd. This record from 2001 received stunning critics on various prog-sites already and because of the fact that their 2nd album called Creatures will be released this spring it is good to give some extra attention again to this 5-piece band at this stage.
According their own info they are influenced by the big names in progressive rock, jazz and classical music from the beginning of the last century. Due to the fact that FC origins from a Frank Zappa cover band it is no surprise his spirit wonders through a song like Candy Korn.
Especially the 'multi layered sounds', where a lot of different instruments, often at the same time, produce many different melodies all together at the same time, is a trademark this band has in common with this legendary figure. A special remark in this case must be made to the violin playing of Bill Ayasse. It is also quite obvious he prefers the sound of the well-known 'strings' we know from the symphonic and jazzrock 'age' but with the same instrument he also likes to throw in a folksy sounding jig now and then.
His beautiful violin sounds are often surrounded by the guitar work of Frankie Camiola, who can play just 'tight' but also can produce some freaky riffs. On the other hand there are Nick Lieto's keyboards which are, apart from a few solo's, only there for a more 'supporting' role in the background. Now and then he is producing symphonic ‘carpets of sound' (like in the memorable sounding piece Old Man, with references in harmony singing reminding me of Wishbone Ash) overall he is looking more for jazzy piano sounds and a 'rumbling/thundering' organ style than anything else. He is much more 'up in front' when he picks up his trumpet for the more jazzy moments shared on this record.
Reviewing this album you could well compare FC with a band like French TV, especially because of the Gentle Giant and Canterbury Scene approach in their music whereas looking at the Roger-Dean-a-like cover art humor takes a most important place.
