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Screaming guitar solos and heavy rock choruses on the tracks “Philip Says” and “Ashes” break into a smooth, jazzy, improvisational bridge. The changes are tight and occasionally accented by horns, which extract the funk from the metal. It’s not easy to match the deep, heavy power chords of a guitar with retro funk, but Sweatin’ Like Nixon does an excellent job of creating a cohesive sound in this eclectic style.

“Living Inside a Fishbowl” mixes funk and rock with tinges of Yes-style progressive guitar. With odd-metered, well orchestrated arpeggios, and a driving uphill climax, the song finds its way to a slowed-tempo muted trumpet, lonely in the background, dancing with the guitar as the song fades out. This is another unorthodox tune that defines its own style, but they continue on the path of progressive rock with the next song “Alien Nation in the Workplace.” This song is like a Gustav Holst theme meeting a Frank Zappa guitar lick.

Even some retro 70s and 80s style bass beats and guitar melodies have snuck in. There’s such a variety of style and sound that the guitar adds to the band’s overall versatility.

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This is an album that, at moments, can seem out in space somewhere. Between the funk and the rock, there are occasional echoing voices or a chorus of basses. Each song has its own identity, and no two sound alike, which generally works in Nixon’s favor. The musicianship is outstanding for a young progressive band. Lead singer Jeremy Wells doesn’t have a strong voice in the business, but he certainly gets the job done for this jam-style band with Zappa-esque guitar work. The focus is primarily instrumental, but the band places emphasis on songwriting and vocal styling. Rhythmically, they keep a tight ship, incorporating pauses and accents that demonstrate how complicated their musical composition can be.

While the vocals are the weakest aspect of this progressive jam rock quartet, they don’t detract too much from the overall value of the music. The lyrics are quirky, but this incites a desire to hear that voice live and experience the music. Not one song engenders the mainstream radio perspective. This is definitely an “outside-the-box” band with the potential to build an underground following. They’ve been around for about 7 years already, and now play about 100 shows a year. Musically, they’re thinking original and fresh ideas, but it’s tough to know if their front man can hold up the band. I know the music is there, but viewing a live show is necessary to confirm that band's ability to make the crowd sweat like President Nixon in 1969.

Hear I Can't Feel & Three Times A Day on Cityzen Radio (click for playlist)...