AMG Review of Nonkertompf

Sean Westergaard
All Music Guide

Mike Keneally fulfills a dream he had at age 12 with the completion of Nonkertompf, an instrumental tour de force with the artist playing every part. He is probably best known as the stunt guitarist on Frank Zappa's final tour, but this is no shredder album. Keneally is just as talented a keyboard player, so this is far from an all-guitar extravaganza. Oh sure, there's stuff a guitar shred fan will like, but there's also stuff that your average smooth jazz fan would. In fact, although the album is instumental, it's just as diverse musically as anything he's put out. From the bright melody of "Click" to the ominous march of "Rake Bannuh's Men" to the Miles Davis-isms of "Show Yourself" and "Show More of Yourself," Keneally proves to be talented and eclectic, almost beyond belief. Nonkertompf is a fine diversion in this idiosyncratic artist's discography.