Pele - Elephant

With enough chops to burn and enough good sense not to, Pele is helping redefine the concept of the instrumental rock trio. This is gorgeous, mesmerizing post-rock. Tall chords (i.e., chords with a whole lotta notes) collide with gentle melodies and angular rhythms to create what is easily one of the best instrumental discs of the late '90s. Think of a more rockin', spastic Pat Metheny Group, circa 1976. And just like that group, Pele has the potential to spawn legions of imitators.