Dr.Octafer's Picks/Great CDs for drummers: Marvin Pontiac (s/t)

You'd have to Google this whole situation to see what the deal is, but let's just say that it's still favorable to drop this name among the Rock elite. It's also safe to say that the music isn't generally for the faint of heart, which makes it perfect for just about any drummer. You'd have to hear it...some is like "Make it stop" and some is gorgeous. It's an odd blend, but there are some demons confronted here, whether real or as part of the whole thing (again you'll need to Google it). But talk about your "fill-free-Funk," ?uestlove ain't got nothin' on this guy. I think there's maybe one cymbal crash (he probably forgot not to hit it) on the whole thing, and where you'd expect one to be, he just hits a cymbal bell or goes back to the hi-hats. Remarkable. If you can make it through the very first song (a sssallooowww Blues number) without rushing, you're a pretty good drummer. There are songs that just rip and are incredibly fun to play, if you don't mind simple, which isn't to say it isn't COOL AS SHIT, because it is. A couple of songs vary in subtle ways on each measure, and it's inspiring, but the repetition and leaving out a fill or a crash when you're dying to play one is hard to believe. It isn't like he left them off the kit and has no choice; he has at least one up there. He doesn't hit it. I'd like to shake this guy's hand, and I'm not big on meeting "stars." But this dude is something else. Some of this stuff is so weird that even the Metal guys might like it, except there isn't a million drum fills. It's funky as hell though. I think it's the guy from the Lounge Lizards, but I'm not positive. He ROCKS. The production is very nice and the music is sparse, so the drums sound pretty massive throughout. Ready for some discipline? Give this a spin. Even if you're in a Death-Metal band and you never play drums like this in your life, just the KNOWLEDGE of being simple, and the space between the notes and all that you'll get from this CD, your bandmates will thank you for listening. Highly recommended.