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REVIEWS: NIACIN Time Crunch back to artists page Discography • Audio • Tour Dates • Links Released Feb 12, 2002 Fast, fluid, fun, and out-of-the-box jazz / fusion exploration, Time Crunch features the immense talents of bassist Billy Sheehan (Mr. Big, Talas, David Lee Roth), keyboardist John Novello (Chick Corea, Andy Summers), and drummer Dennis Chambers (George Clinton, Stanley Clarke). Their pedigrees are as impressive as the intricate instrumental odyssey they travel though as Niacin. The triumvirate's fifth outing is full of rich, jazzy, classic-rock-influenced explorations that also have sensual and sonorous sides. Fans of progressive rock will enjoy the covers of King Crimson's moody, ominous "Red" and Jan Hammer's elaborate and memorable "Blue Wind." With the exception of the gentle and reflective "Glow" (which is dedicated to Novello's late wife), the disc's 11 intense and impressive tracks possess a sense of fun and lightness that won't scare off jazz newbies. – Musicians News –––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– Niacin (Billy Sheehan, John Novello and Dennis Chambers) have certainly outdone themselves this time. While their last release was a very entertaining retro take on a jazzy sort of prog sound, this one really breaks new ground for the band. Sure, they still focus a good portion of the disc on that Hammond B3 driven sound, but many of the examples of their instrumental fare here (and the whole album is instrumental) cross over into more traditional progressive rock territory. These guys really show that they know how to pull it off, and as a three-piece with no guitar, no less. Put this one in and prepare to be blown away. It may be way too early in the year for these kinds of predictions, but this album will probably in many people's lists of best albums of 2002. – Music Street Journal –––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– Time Crunch is the second album by this tough jazzrock threesome on Magna Carta, their fifth in total, operating in the vein of Liquid Tension Experiment and Bozzio Levin Stevens, although their instruments give them a sound of their own. And in case you were wondering: vitamin B3 (the Hammond type Novello uses) is also known as Niacin, hence the band name. Elbow Grease starts this album off almost funkily. High speed, a swirling sound, and some pretty sturdy technicalities. Time Crunch features some organ like in UK's Carrying No Cross. High speed finger breaking stuff. Pretty good. Stone Face is pounding track that sort of comes in gusts. Beating drums, pushing organ, all instruments perfectly in line. After a peaceful interlude the Face once more moves into top gear. The abrupt end of the track seems to suggest a wall or some such was encountered. Red is what you think it is: a cover of the King Crimson track. Sounds nice. Of course it does, it's vintage KC, but I can't find anything that makes this rendition an addition to the original. The use of instruments differs from the original, but most of all it remains Red. Invisible King's beginning reminds me somewhat of Dutch acts like Ekseption and Trace, being strongly organ based in a sort of classical way. Gets a bit faster, and features some jazzy piano strokes, but fails to inspire me. Daddy Long Leg starts a pretty much jazzrocky track, although UK's ghost seems to be present as well. Daddy slowly moves from a pretty much jazzy idiom, towards a more rocky one, helping it nicely along. Hog Funk has most of its funk in the title. Pretty good track, but not all that striking, sort of floating by. Glow is a much slower piano based track, not unlike some Keith Jarrett material (without the sound effects). Pretty nice. Damaged Goods takes the speed to more normal levels again. Moving along though, the longer held hammond notes give the track sort of a different quality. Outside Inside Out has the Hammond at the one moment in a basic mode, and then flaring up, the way flames would. Blue Wind is a cover of a Jam Hammer track, that doesn't exactly come to mind. It starts with a pretty basic jazzrocky feel, enhanced by a bass fighting strangulation. Moving along the track becomes more and more chaotic and cacofonic, but pretty good still. Time Crunch surely knows how to crunch time. The speed of most tracks is awesome, as is the playing ability. The albums features enough variation to keep one from drowning, though. Despite that some tracks may be a bit less interesting the overall ability, both technically and compositionally brings this album home. – © Roberto Lambooy –––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– This is the jazz-rock trio's fourth studio album, and their first for Magna Carta. If you're familiar with Magna Carta's other offerings, you may have an idea of what to expect. Although Niacin was originally bassist Billy Sheehan's project (an artier outlet from his regular playing with heavy metal group Mr. Big), this album has keyboardist John Novello's mark all over it. Novello comes from a jazz background, but his dextrous style includes many rock influences as well. His Hammond B3 organ dominates the sound (though there is also a considerable amount of piano, and a little sythesizer here and there), but Sheehan and drummer Dennis Chambers create magic together as well, giving the music its driving momentum. The album has plenty to offer in the mould you might expect, from tracks like the aptly title Elbow Grease, a high energy fusion workout that may cause smoke to pour out of your CD player, to Daddy Long Leg, a jazzy blaster that's part Herbie Hancock, part early Santana. But it also offers up a few things you might not expect, as on Invisible King, where Novello gets into a great Dave Stewart kind of thing on his organ, giving the piece a lovely Canterbury feel, and on Glow where he mellows out nicely in a reflective Lyle Mays style. The real surprise on the album came for me in the absolutely blistering cover of the King Crimson track Red. I didn't clue in when I read over the song titles, but the moment the track started I recognized it. Not that Niacin doesn't put a spin on it that is all their own; it fits in perfectly with the rest of the album. Imagine organ taking the place of guitars on the original, with a slightly deeper and fuller sound, and you'll get the idea. Red has become, perhaps more than any other Crimson album, a great influence on many contemporary rock bands (Tool comes to mind). With its harsh guitars and the fragmented angst of a band that was disintegrating, Red was a masterpiece far ahead of its time (1974). While much of Niacin's own original material has a retro feel to it, covering this old piece lends an ironically modern touch to the album. The production is top notch without overdoing it, and Novello's arrangements avoid the over-complexity that could bog them down, leaving the music to roam about and have a good time. There's nothing new or terribly innovative here, but I found the keyboard/bass/drum combo quite refreshing and I can't really say there's a single weak track on the album. – Aural Innovations (April 2002) –––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– The prog-rock demon in me has not died. Indeed, at late hours, one might find me driving along to the intricate weavings of Emerson, Lake & Palmer or some other venerable dinosaur. The jazz-rock-fusion of Niacin's Time Crunch brings back memories of late 70s and early 80s virtuosity, where frenetic guitar solos and inexplicable arpeggio-climbing ruled. Legendary bassist Billy Sheehan and cohorts bring on what can only be described as a combination of Stanley Clarke, Deep Purple, Mahavishnu Orchestra, and any other band you care to name. John Novello's keyboard wizardry is the best I've heard in ages. Sheehan's bass-playing veers between pure jazz and funk-fusion with ridiculous dexterity. A peek at the liner notes reveals songwriting credits to Robert Fripp and Jan Hammer (music composer for the 80s TV series "Miami Vice," among other things), explanation enough for this complicated but rewarding event. Forget your shame and delve into the dark fusion past. No matter the ailment: its time for a Niacin dose. – Jonathan Hanemann. – Air Massive –––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– Mind-blowing!!!!! Yes, five exclamation points. Surely I exaggerate, right? Not here. Niacin's Time Crunch is an aggressively awesome jazz-fusion album dripping both chops and infectious energy. It's so musically intense that I'm not really prepared to say it's melodic in the sense of "catchiness," but at the same time it's very hard to stop listening to it. Other reviewers have thrown the word "addictive" around, and let me tell you this CD makes heroin seem like peanut butter cookies. (Okay, now I'm exaggerating...) If John Novello isn't the best keyboardist in the world, he's pretty damn close. No one 'rocks' with the keyboard like this guy does. His Hammond B3 onslaught would make Keith Emerson sound tepid in comparison. His frenzied, reeling organ rocks atop the fusillading bass of Billy Sheehan and polyrhythmic drumming of Dennis Chambers with heart-stopping precision and energy. This album just rips, no doubt about it. There are times when the album slows down and goes for more easygoing jazz grooves like "Hog Funk" -- not an exhilarating song like "Elbow Grease" or "Time Crunch", but still captivating on sheer groove-power. This band must have sold their souls to the devil to become such mighty groove-demons! "Invisible King" is a slow eerie cut with pianos and Hammonds painting doomy tones. There are two cover songs, where Niacin tackles the stormy "Red" by King Crimson and later keyboardist Jan Hammer's proggy jazz-rock tune "Blue Wind". As tri-ryche mentions in his review, this power trio replaces the guitar with the keyboardist. You may doubt a band's jazzy rock power when they don't even have a guitar in the line-up, but I can assure you John Novello's keys rock more than 99% of the Joe Guitar Men out there -- he has the awesome B3, gritty lead tone, and bobbling pianos. And, to echo tri-ryche's fine review further, you will initially be blown away by the musicianship. However, even once you've become acclimated to the band's instrumental godliness, boredom is impossible! The songs are just too much fun, with too much dynamic energy. You know you want it. Give in to your spending impulses! – HallMusic.com –––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– Furious Fusion! What do you get when you combine the complexity of jazz, the grooviness of funk, and the drive of rock and roll? The answer is Niacin, and their latest album Time Crunch is thrilling fusion of the highest order. First things first. These guys can play. Niacin is the ultimate "power trio". Even bands like Rush and Primus, talented as they are, could surely take some lessons from these guys. On your first inspection of the CD, you may notice that there is no guitarist to be found here. Well, don't despair, because once you hear the great John Novello in action, you will undoubtedly forget all about it. This guy is an incredible keyboardist, seamlessly combining upbeat Hammond organ, melodic piano, and shredding solos. Billy Sheehan makes for a great companion. Often called the "Eddie Van Halen of bass", he surely lives up to his name. He shreds, taps, grooves, and all on a 4-string bass. And then we have Dennis Chambers. What a drummer. Insanely complex, inhumanly fast, and on top of that, he can hold some pretty sick grooves. Many of the best drummers are all flash and no groove, but not Chambers. He's one of the grooviest drummers I've ever heard, as well as the most technically proficient. Another thing I like about his playing is that he never "overplays". Meaning, for all the amazing stuff he does on the kit, he never sounds like he's pushing himself, or playing to his full potential. Take that for what it's worth, but I think that really says something. Now, onto the music. I think this album is excellent from start to finish. It starts off with a bang, with the energetic "Elbow Grease", and never lets up from there. "Stone Face" is a bit more laid-back, with some nice upbeat piano work, and "Glow" and "Invisible King" are more soft and peaceful, but aside from those three songs, it's pretty much nonstop jamming. "Daddy Long Leg" is certainly worth a mention. It features jaw-dropping solo spots from all three members, and "Damaged Goods" and "Outside Inside Out" have some pretty wicked solos as well. And, of course, the cover of King Crimson's classic instrumental, "Red" is definitely another highlight. Novello's keyboards are a perfect match for Robert Fripp's guitar work, and Chambers puts the great Bill Bruford to shame. It has a bit of a different feel than the rest of the album, but I'd say it fits in just fine. If you're a fan of jazz, fusion, or any kind of instrumental music, I'd say this is definitely worth checking out. It may seem a bit uniform at first, but the subtle nuances in the music keep the songs interesting throughout. This may be difficult to get into for those who aren't a fan of technical music, but if that's what you're into, you can't afford to pass this up. –––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– Along with High Bias, the best effort by Niacin... This album could be classic fusion stuff from the USA in the future, even though their debut album was more progressive oriented.... They have been able to make a remarkable tribute to King Crimson ("Red" era), by means of a stunning version of the title track from the "mythical" album with Bruford and Wetton...so it's clear that their fusion stuff sometimes steers towards the 70's classic prog, expecially regarding the clever use of the Hammond organ by John Novello and the excellent creative bass guitar as well, by Billy Sheehan... well this issue is perhaps the best effort so far, along with "High Bias", and it seems it fits into such fusion prog perfectly, being suitable for live executions with improvisational stuff!! Recommended fusion prog... –––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– Time Crunch is the second release by Prog-Fusion-Rock supergroup Niacin, a band composed of bassist Billy Sheehan, keyboardist John Novello and drummer Dennis Chambers. This CD, as billed, sometimes drifts towards jazz, sometimes fusion, other times towards video game music. It can also get a little noodly, but what did you expect? The first thing that strikes you is the extent to which Billy Sheehan rips it up throughout this release. His bass-playing virtuosity has never been in the forefront as much as in these last two Niacin CDs. Of the three musicians, drummer Dennis Chambers shows the most flexibility on this release and drum aficionados will certainly be impressed with his range on this one. And if you are a fan of the Hammond organ, well, John Novello certainly plays it for all its worth. The next thing you may notice about Time Crunch is the complete lack of traditional guitar work. This is not a Kid A, "Where the hell did the guitar go?" situation. You simply don't realize they are gone because there is so much else going on here. Individually, Billy Sheehan, John Novello and Dennis Chambers are all incredible musicians and my only real criticism here is that often times they sound like they are playing for themselves, veering off into three independent directions and then eventually (and thankfully) returning to solid ground. There are a few free-form pieces on here that still sound like they need more fleshing out, and tracks like Hog Funk seem to drift in and out of genres in a way that left this listener uninterested. I think the most interesting track on the CD is clearly Niacin's shred-and-bled version of King Crimson's "Red." In many ways, I think this version is superior to Crimson's, taking an already over-the-top song up one notch, and showcasing the talents of each of the three members in a structure that does not allow them to veer too far off in any direction. "Red" is attacked from all directions, with the same sensibility that Crimson brought to the song, but a little tighter, and a lot more dense. On the opposite side of the spectrum, the piano-driven track "Glow," is an excellent, sublime piece that really anchors the middle of the CD. Does this CD have commercial appeal outside of the band's already loyal following? Not really, but it would be nice to see what some of these Olympic snowboards could do with this as their soundtrack. But, if you're into an in-your-face mélange of rock, prog, fusion and jazz, performed energetically and enthusiastically by three of the most technically proficient musicians in their respective genres, Niacin's Time Crunch is definitely for you. – Prog4You.com –––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– Niacin, an essential part of anyone's musical diet, puts all audible functions in equitable balance on this new "funkadelic" release. Made up of one part Sheehan, one part Novello, and one part Chambers, they comprising of bass, guitar, keyboards and drums, all in perfect working order if not necessarily in that order, perpetuate a number of earthy instrumental vibes designed to please your musical palate. While Niacin's music caters often to the aficionado apprised of such instrumental prowess, their energetic jams and smooth rolls will suit listeners of most any taste seeking a means of escape from the everyday. Sheehan, Chambers, and Novello, a super group by anyone's stretch, having logged countless mileage for such past greats as Talas, George Clinton and Chick Corea, come together for a fifth time fusing Heavy Rock and Jazz that in fact "crunches" time, past to present. Eminently employing the heavy groove and beat patterns of classic seventies jam rock and time travel, in one fell swoop of a bass scale and deftly handled Hammond, Niacin throw's back to the likes of earliest incarnations of King Crimson, Deep Purple, and Hawkwind among others. – Stormbringer –––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– Niacin is vitamin B3, which everyone knows promotes energy to the point of exhaustion. So does this progressive rock music. Billy Sheehan (Mr. Big) created the trio to let his aggressive jazz/prog side show, probably to combat the formula-driven rock that the 80s was gliding through. I’ve been a fan from the first moment I heard Deep, possibly Niacin’s first release on the all-prog Magna Carta label. But this release might well blow the lid off any previous efforts. High-intensity stuff that doesn’t believe in speed limits or the word "ballad." From the opening charge of ‘Elbow Grease’ through to the final hellraiser of the Jan Hammer cover ‘Blue Wind’ there’s little left that’s slow and orderly on this disc. Love the funk, seemingly improv nature of Time Crunch which rolls right into the guitar power of ‘Stone Face’ before you realize a track has gone by. 3 people - that’s all you need. John Novello (Chick Corea, Andy Summers) on keys is an especially good find. He plugs in the hard melodies of ‘Red’ (a King Crimson cover, if you don’t know!) with a skill that could rival the original, if sacrilege were allowed. And don’t forget the constant rhythm welts of Dennis Chambers (George Clinton, Stanely Clarke) because there’s no better backing beat than ‘Daddy Long Leg’ and the drum solo that manages to lash out at God now and then. All instrumental, all bone-breaking, all unstoppable - except at the 56 minute mark when the 11 tracks come to an explosive-corrosive conclusion. Only thing left to do is start ‘er up again and be very wary of the signposts ahead... – Muse's Muse Check out Niacin's other Magna Carta releases, Deep and Live - Blood Sweat & Beers. |
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