The self-titled release by the Nashville based band Uberphonics has just hit the shelf. Come one come all. True musical wankery awaits you.

Uberphonics can be described as progressive jazz jam rock fusion. There is no singing’and virtually nothing to keep your attention. Listening to this album is like listening to Hillary Clinton try to tell you why she still matters.

In that sense, the band has done a fabulous job producing the album. Tones and textures all sound good and are well mixed. The instrumentalists are quality musicians and they play well together. Just as Hillary’s team is obviously no joke (she’s still in the race right?), these guys perform complicated and intricate musical tasks with what sounds like relative ease. The problem is, like Hillary, this band lacks a strong fundamental message in their music.

The basic feel of this band is that of a jazz group. I could see them in a classy dinner-party setting playing background music. But even there, they wouldn’t quite fit in. They have too much rock mixed in to appeal in a setting where traditional jazz would be heard. In a bar or show where they are the main focus of attention, they would provide a good atmosphere, but would quickly lose the focus of the audience. The groove is only partially danceable, and the melodic flow is not memorable.

Actually a good portion of the melody comes from the band taking turns jamming. Many of their songs seem to be based around a specific rhythmic or melodic theme which the band repeats in between jams. But those melodic themes are never strong enough to stick in my head. At times, the feel seems vaguely reminiscent of Led Zeppelin or other classic rock without the edge and originality that people love.

Overall, I would say the current version of Uberphonics has very little potential for making a major impact musically. This is a classic case of a group of very good musicians with a shaky musical direction. Although there are plenty of bands who have succeeded based on excellent musicianship alone, those bands traditionally have the best of the best musicians. These guys are definitely good, but they have a long way to go before they can compete with the classics. They may find more success by adding a songwriter and working on forming a specific image.

Live may be a different story. Check them out at Caf’ Coco in Nashville on May 25.