This CD has been in my stack of CD's for 6-7 months. I thought I had reviewed this one months ago but when I began searching through all the reviewed CD's I noticed that I never did the review. In the case of this release it was a good thing that time had passed since I first listened to this offering. The first time I listened to the CD (6 months ago) I wasn't very happy with the album as a whole. After listening and reviewing hundreds of releases from a multitude of artists I think I learned to appreciate this CD more with the passing of time.

The record quality was not among the better ones I have listened to but I'll talk about that later. What struck my interest was the diversity of songs. This is what Independent music should be all about. The freedom to switch genres at a moments notice. T-Minus Band has the freedom to go from Bowie to Blind Lemon because THEY CAN. Not being held down to a single genre gives this band the freedom to go in any direction they want to and this is very refreshing.

The CD starts off with a recording of Jack Thomas (I suspect) from a 1974 recording. It's a lo-fi recording from a reel-to-reel of him talking. That track zooms into 'See Saw' and 'Once Upon a Time' two surfer rock songs that remind me of Speed Racer or Johnny Quest meets the Kinks. I thought they were the best track on the album. Then like all good indies, the music changes to a couple Steve Miller Band style slow rockers.

The CD progresses (or regresses) into a mid 70's tune 'Salt Peter' in the style of 70's country rock band The Band. The song has a bit of that last call for drinks at the bar sound. I can see myself with a pint of my favorite dark beer singing this tune with a dozen drunker people. To my surprise, the CD ends with a reverb drench version of the same song leading me to believe that Troy and the guys have raised a toast more then once with this song. It is the kind of song that is fitting to play as the farewell song when the show is over.

Not much information on studio credits so I have to assume it was a home brewed event. The CD had that early 90's indie sound to it. It lacked that real studio sheen that we have come to expect today but the songs made up for the lack of studio polish. The recording had a personality all to itself and that personality may have been lost with a higher quality recording. I would have settled for a little less reverb in the vocals. The reverb tends to put the vocal tracks further back in the mix. Maybe record the vocals drier and add a touch of reverb for effect next time.

This CD was what Indie music is all about. Expressing yourself across multiple genres and to hell with public opinion. Way to go Troy and company. I give is CD 3 1/2 stars.