True story, one time Gary from Tomcat Combat tuned my drum kit and I didn't have to touch it for six months. The guy just has perfect ears. He has this ear for melody, and his playing adds a texture to songs that sits above the rhythm, it's a hard thing to accomplish.
This is one of those records that needs to be played loud. Especially if you want to hear all the cool little shit Gary is doing. Action Doer has some cool tom work, driving disco dance beats and during one set of pauses he does some cool time stretching hits. Best of all is this little fill he does were he performs triplets on each drum (with the kick on the one) and ends it with a slick ride bell cymbal choke. Throw in some off time stuff and this is as interesting to listen to as it is fun.
Gary brings something to the table that is a requirement if you want to be an interesting drummer in an instrumental band, and that's taste. He knows when it sounds better when he holds back, and he knows what to play to display his skill but not come off showy. His snare on Ponies on Ice is erratic but low enough it doesn't overpower, I Might Have To Go Away For A While shows us that he can rock out when he has to.
Middle States and Mental Giants has to be my favorite though, it sounds like Tortoise meets Do Make Say Think, cool rhythms and noisy, dirty guitars. If you play a show with Tomcat Combat (and you will, probably) I suggest you get Gary to show you how to tune a drum, because I am sure that he's better at it than you.
Audio/Visual Evidence : Action Doer, Stella
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