Eddy Hobizal

From the moment opener "Twin Stars" begins with marimba and then drops in drum beats that could've come off Radiohead's new release, it's safe to say this isn't going to be your standard jazz album. This ever-tasteful and often elegant Austin pianist isn't doing something entirely new, but the formula of Hobizal out front with double drummers David Hobizal and Kyle Thompson propelling the band amidst a swirling mixture of rock, funk, hip-hop, and even jazz rhythms makes Kinetic genuinely compelling throughout. Originals such as the organ-driven "Engine of Ingenuity," "Prometheus," and the lovely solo turn "Dedalus" make up the bulk of the album, though beguiling covers of Elbow, Tears for Fears, and Peter Gabriel, the latter two featuring vocals by Erin Ivey and Tody Castillo, provide nice touchstones. Kinetic, fresh, adventurous, and substantive.