"There is no doubt in my mind that these guys know what they are doing. There are times when it resembles some very fine traditional jazz, other times times delving into fusion, and still others (as the title suggests) just some good ass kickin'. I also have some personal favorites. One of which is "Dissed in New Orleans", which starts out simply with the congas leading us on as a sinister guitar bleeds in. The keyboards then join in with their own jovial pulsing effect that is both a separate rhythm and melody that fits perfectly with the former. Soon you find yourself fully engulfed in a beautiful piece that is haunting in its draw, yet a little comic at the same time."
-- David Rioux, Jambands.com
Full
review
"Phewwww... give this
sucker a close headphones listen and you'll be tired but deliciously
satisfied. Like the best instrumental progressive rock and fusion, Bag:
Theory will reward your attention with a challenging variety and blend
of styles and structures and provide you with an entertaining hour of
free-wheeling rockin fun. Kudos to Mark Segal for taking the Paper Bag
experience to new and even more exciting levels. And it seems that this
ensemble will continue as the band is playing shows regularly in the Los
Angeles area."
-- Jerry Kranitz, Aural Innovations
Full
review
"Improvisation is the
name of the game on this particular album, though A Good Ass-Kicking ...
thankfully does not feature the unnecessary endless doodling that one
tends to find on such albums. What is definite is that after hearing
this album, one minds bewildered at how this intense and tight music is
totally improvised. Unbelievable!"
-- Nigel Camilleri, The Dutch Progressive Rock Page
Full
review
"I think the CD is excellent. They
have a very distinctive approach to tonal
organization.
Bag: Theory beautifully avoids textural and rhythmic sameness."
-- Larry Nai, Progression Magazine
http://progressionmagazine.com
"If comparisons are necessary one
might mention King Crimson, French TV, Van
De
Graaf Generator or Frank Zappa. Nevertheless Bag: Theory compares to
none of them. The CD is not merely a piece of
work, but a living sketch, full of detail and
heaps of savage dangerous shapes. My highest recommendation."
-- Volkmar Mantei, Zappa-Fanzine Arf-Dossier, Progressive Newsletter,
Germany
Full review (in
German)
"Atmospheric
instrumental music with plenty of improvisation. Hypnotic, caustic
and/or otherworldly depending on where the laser hits the disc."
-- Edwin Letcher, Garage And Beat! Magazine
http://www.garageandbeat.com
"Bag: Theoryıs playing
is very established and forthright. More breathing room improv from
Southern California free music vets. Textures galore combined with top
rate chops."
-- Don Campau, KKUP 91.5 FM, Monterey CA
Don
Campau's review nuggets
