Best known as a founder member of US post-rockers Trans Am, guitarist Phil Manley now unveils his latest venture. Terry Gross is a vehicle for Manley, bassist Donny Newenhouse and drummer Phil Becker to test the limits of their joint-owned recording space in San Francisco (El Studios) via a series of improvised jams. The resultant Soft Opening (Thrill Jockey) finds the trio delving deep into heavy space rock with all the punishing intensity of Wooden Shjips or White Manna. Space Voyage Mission blasts away for 20 exhilarating minutes, offset by the relatively compact, more melodic Specificity (Or What Have You).