Capillary Action - So Embarrassing

Capillary Action is a modern avant-garde progressive rock band from Seattle and So Embarrassing is the Jonathan Pfeffer-led band’s second album. In terms of vocal manner and jumping from style to style the parallels with Mr Bungle are instantly drawn. Other acts that sound somewhat similar are Kayo Dot, Time of Orchids and even Mars Volta at times. The band fuses math-rock, fusion, metal and progressive jazz in their music. Unlike Kayo Dot, who plays lengthy compositions, Capillary Action’s songs are short, the entire record lasts for little more than thirty minutes. Nonetheless the songs are closely tied to each other, the entire record comes across as a song cycle. Compositions sound nervous, fractured and schizophrenic. At its worst they come across as exercises in how many changes in tempo, mood and time signatures it is possible to cram into a couple of minutes. Nevertheless the music is masterfully performed, impeccable horn and string arrangements are heard and some of the moments are truly brilliant and memorable (particularly the standout track „Elevator Fuck“). Still, Kayo Dot performs in the similar avant-prog style in a more fluid and mature manner.



Capillary Action performing "Placebo or Panacea & Bloody Nose"