Artist: The Rebel Wheel Album: Diagramma (2007) Label: 10T Records Website: http://www.therebelwheel.com Reviewer: Bill Knispel

Track List: Threads Three Valley Gap Diagramma Tempra Hiding in Waiting Arachnophobia (new track) Awakened (new track) 8 Months ago, I was pleased to review the second album by Ottawa/Gatineau area band The Rebel Wheel. An diverse mix of styles and sounds, this release (the first with their current line-up) really impressed me. I must not have been the only one, as new prog label 10T records (home of Frogg Café, Fluttr Effect, Fromuz, Man on Fire, and others) picked the band’s distribution. To make things even better, The Rebel Wheel celebrated this signing by jumping into the studio to record 2 additional tracks for the label re-release, featuring their newest member, Angie MacIvor (saxes, vocals, keyboards). Rather than do a massive copy/paste job here, I’ll direct you to our site’s earlier review of the independently released version of Diagramma here. This review still stands as accurate for the 5 initially released tracks. No re-recording or remixing has been done (or perhaps more accurately, if any remixing has been done, it has been very subtle). Instead, this review of the album’s new release will focus on the two newly recorded tracks, “Arachnophobia” and “Awakened.” “Arachnophobia” leads out of original album closer “Hiding in Waiting” and is the shorter of two new tracks, clocking in at just under 6 minutes. Chopped guitar chords, a busy bass line and skittering drum beats open the track, and the song as a whole sounds fairly dark for the first two minutes. The band pulls back as new member Angie MacIvor takes center stage for a melodic and emotional sax solo, adding a human touch and organic colouring to a fairly electronic-based track. I don’t know how new or original the sound is, but it’s a new feel for this band, and one that shows off yet another side of the band’s playing. A keening guitar solo, loaded with sustained notes and edgy distortion drags the song, kicking and screaming, into other directions, with moments reminiscent of…well, of a lot of things. I pick up some Zappa, some Crimson, perhaps even a touch of krautrock. “Arachnophobia” has as many facets as spiders have legs, but one needn’t fear…the listener is in solid, professional hands. The new release of Diagramma closes out with a second new song, the 12-minute “Awakened.” A heavy electronic feel pervades the track as it opens, with heavily processed drums and loops creating a foundation for bubbling synth sounds and distant David Campbell vocals. This piece sees more extensive use of layered vocals and multiple vocal tracks, and as the song moves out of the opening electronic section, “Awakened” takes on a more symphonic, almost dreamy sound and feel. One strength for me is how easy and natural the transition is from “electronica" to more traditional rock arrangements. MacIvor’s vocals add another nice touch and tonal colour to the mix, while Gary Lauzon’s bass playing is as impressive as ever. I really can’t say enough about this piece…the best comparison I could possibly come up with would be to the song “Beginnings” off the very first Chicago album; both songs shift effortlessly through a number of styles and genres showcasing some very impressive musical chops from both bands. If “Arachnophobia” and “Awakening” are any indication, the next Rebel Wheel album should be a barnburner. And now that they are on 10T Records, picking up a copy of Diagramma should be much easier. If you bought this album months ago on my recommendation do yourself a favour…go out and buy another copy. The new material is more than worth the additional cost. And if you haven’t got a copy yet, well, what are you waiting for? Band members: David Campbell – guitar, vocals, keyboards Gary Lauzon – bass Paul Joannis – guitars, keyboards, bass and drums Alain Bergeron – drums, keys and vocals Angie MacIvor – saxes, vocals, keyboards