Merge a hint of blueless Blue Man Group and Michel Lauziere and you'll get the ScrapArtsMusic idea. Other than that the show is rather straightforward rhythm a la, Taiko Drumming.

Metallic and devo-like, the drums and tympani of the band command in both the audio and the visual. They're also intellectually appealing in their form and function. I loved their thunder under the orange sticks of 5 drummers. And I enjoyed their movement as they rolled via coaster wheels from one side of the stage to the other between pieces, their sounds feeling out the edges of 3-D space.

And it was all about the percussion. While other inventive instruments graced the stage, their play was always much more percussive than melodic. Save for a tall 13-Stringed instrument, I think it was named the Mojo. Singing a small and repetitive pattern, the closest thing to a melody, the mojo was sweet enough when plucked -- but when bowed -- wow, simply beautiful.

That said, I found the whirly tube opening rather un-engaging. Nor was I terribly impressed with the balloon tube squealer sequence -- though the kids loved it.

This review based on the October 3rd, 2008 show at Caltech, Beckman Auditorium. www.events.caltech.edu

-- Books by Author/Illustrator Ross Anthony --