MCSTINE & MINNEMANN – III (Album Review)

After bursting out of the gate with a pair of eclectic albums released during the lockdown years, Randy McStine and Marco Minnemann took more time to craft their third release, the suitably titled III. Whether it’s due to McStine’s hiatus to go on tour with Porcupine Tree, or Minnemann’s relentless gigging with his power trio The Aristocrats, or a maturing of their rapport together, this new album is easily their most direct and accessible yet.

Which isn’t to say it’s not still completely all over the map. After all, their shared wild range of musical tastes is what first drew them to one another. But there’s no question that there’s a little more polish around the edges, while keeping the edginess intact.

Considering McStine is the primary lead vocalist and guitarist, it can be surprising to realize that the songwriting is evenly split between the two, and it’s not always easy to parse their styles from one another. Still, McStine’s catchy melodies often shine through and reveal their pop potential, while Minnemann’s darker tones and staccato rhythmic focus help reveal their author. Regardless, the listener soon realizes that they’re in good hands as far as instrumentation is concerned with these two musical savants.

The album opens in an unexpected manner as seagulls cry and acoustic guitar strums on “Over The Bay”, the softest song in the collection. Minnemann doesn’t even get to his kit for this one, instead playing electric guitar, shaker, and some keys. It’s a sweet little tune but a bit strange to put up first at bat, considering most of the subsequent material hits much harder.

This brings us to “Survive”, an ideal first single release that finds McStine doing what he does best – rocking hard with prog and pop overtones. Minnemann then brings two of his tunes forward: “Tigress” and “Your Own Choices”. While McStine can throw some curve balls into his writing, Minnemann takes that approach and then doubles or triples it. A bit too manic for my tastes, honestly, but still, there’s Minnemann’s brilliant drumming in the mix, so one can’t complain.

All of these dynamics reach their apex on “Crossing Wires”, the only track co-written by both men, and it lives up to its name. After the initial 2 minute fury, things get a bit more spacious so that the two can have an extended jam without distraction. In some ways, the second half of the song is a highlight of the album, the payoff for the frenetic energy that precedes it.

The album continues with a mix of warmer tunes, like the luscious, Beatles-infused “Green”, the hypnotic “Lines Around You” or fanciful tripped out “Free” to a nearly jazz fusion vibe on “Riding On Clouds”. In some ways, the second half of the album feels more consistent and accessible on the whole. Minnemann seems to hit hardest on the songs that he brings to the table, but the two work well in integrating their strengths, resulting in a cohesive album from the duo.

Considering their own creative solo catalogs, M & M are finding the fertile middle ground where they thrive best together. Boasting an insane amount of notes, hits, and directions, it’s a good thing that the album is produced and engineered as well as it is, allowing all of these ideas to be heard in all their glory.

Having witnessed two of the few live gigs this duo has played thus far (supplemented by the virtuosic Mohini Dey on bass and Nick D’Virgilio on a host of instruments and vocals), I can say that the rapport is genuine and the talent undeniable. Hopefully, these guys will find a way to make their way to the stage more often. Until then, you’ve got 3 albums and a zillion notes to keep you company.

Release Date: April 4th, 2025
Record Label: Independent
Genre: Progressive Rock

Musicians:

• Randy McStine / Vocals, electric & acoustic guitars, bass, keyboards, percussion, Fx
• Marco Minnemann / Drums & percussion, electric & acoustic guitars, keyboards, vocals, bass, Fx

III Track-list:

1. Over the Bay
2. Survive
3. Tigress
4. Your Own Decisions
5. Crossing Wires
6. This Time
7. Lines Around You
8. Riding on Clouds
9. Green
10. Free
11. The Unmanned Flight

Order III here