As far as a collection of unmixed, unplanned, improvisational, keyboard-led noodling tracks go, I guess this isn't bad. But as far as music goes, this is pretty sorry. I know, I know, these weren't really meant to be released like this, and I know that John Petrucci wasn't around for the writing and performing. What we have here are a number of tracks that didn't make the cut the first time around, which would be fine as bonus material or something. Instead, we get Magna Carta trying to get us to pay normal CD price for these raw little tidbits. And, to be honest, I fell for it. I figured that what with the high quality of the other Liquid Tension Experiment releases, Spontaneous Combustion would feature at least SOME interesting parts and songs.

Well, I was wrong.

This isn't Liquid Tension Experiment. And I'm not even referring to the name. I mean, the spirit of the band is not here at all. It sounds more like the band had some time to kill, so they turned on the tapes and goofed around for almost 80 minutes. There are no real melodies here, no interesting solos, just a couple seconds of neat drumming in Hawaiian Funk. That's it. Four listens through, and that's the only highlight I've come up with.

Do not buy this one unless you are absolutely certain you want to listen to the most aimless noodling you've ever come across. There's no energy and no purpose.

by LiquidEternity


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