Masterminded by
Redd Kross' Brian Reitzell,
Flyin' Traps is a celebration of rock drumming similar in spirit to the solo records of
Hal Blaine or
Sandy Nelson. Moving the drums and percussion to the front of the mix, the record not only spotlights the often-overlooked importance of drummers, but also allows players like
Soundgarden's Matt Cameron,
the Jesus Lizard's Mac McNeilly and
the Screaming Trees' Barrett Martin to step out from behind their kits to reveal their other musical talents. The results are often excellent, ranging from surf (
the Fastbacks' Mike Musburger's "Noodles") to worldbeat (
Jane's Addiction's Stephen Perkins' "Monkey to Brazil") to evocatively gorgeous soundcapes (
the Flaming Lips' Steven Drzod's "Headphone Theme From Seeming Infinity"). ~ Jason Ankeny, All Music Guide