REVIEW: ANIMALS AS LEADERS

Up until two weeks ago, I had never even heard of Tosin Abasi or his group, ANIMALS AS LEADERS. I happened to run across them while searching for something else on amazon.com and their album cover art caught my eye...hint, hint, folks...the cover of a book or album can draw in a potential buyer!!

However, I checked out Tosin on Youtube--just like you can in our sidebar--and was blown away. A guitar player will quickly realize that Tosin Abasi is a major player. He's classically trained, but somehow ended up playing death metal in a now defunct band; but not before it garnered him enough attention to have a solo opportunity cast his way. Tosin plays eight string guitars like the ibanez model seen in some of our featured video spots and he makes use of it.

I can say one thing for Animals as Leaders: it's different! Definitely progressive metal, but you can tell that Tosin isn't going for mainstream appeal. Don't take that in the wrong way. This is a good album with some interesting arrangements...but you won't hear any of this on the radio. It's heavy, then melodic, grinding rhythm and doublebass then beautiful and soulful...and hey, that may be in a single song where you have that variety played out. Tosin's tone is a bit different from the more heavily distorted tone shredders usually employ and he often will use complex lead phrases like pedal points around which the rhythms will move. Don't expect whammy bar pyrotechnics like Vai or the blistering squeals of Satriani. When I'm listening to this album or even watching Tosin on video, no one particular comes to mind. It's just Tosin Abasi.

My recommendations are all over this album for guitar players who enjoy heavy music. If you liked Jeff Loomis' Zero Order Phase, then check out this album...if fact, jump over to our sidebar and check out the youtube video for Animal's as Leaders' song: CAFO. If you like that, the rest of the album is very similar.

REVIEW: PAUL GILBERT - FUZZ UNIVERSE

I now own three of Paul Gilbert's instrumental albums: Get Out of My Yard, Silence Followed By a Deafening Roar, and the recently released Fuzz Universe. Paul Gilbert is a monster player: superb chops, interesting phrasing, and seemingly a fun guy to be around with a good sense of humor who doesn't take himself too seriously. However, everyone else should, because Fuzz Universe is quite possibly Gilbert's finest work to date!

For shredding ferocity this album should satisfy the most finicky listeners out there...as Paul tends to have the ability to do. But I think it is the quality of the songs on this album that sets it apart from his previous work. As a player, I've always been impressed by his songs for the "Wow" factor, but Fuzz Universe is chock full of songs that you will actually want to listen to over and over, because they're good songs!!

Let's be honest folks...anyone and his brother can upload shred videos on Youtube hoping to impress with crazy licks they hope no one else can play. But the true test of a musician is the ability to write interesting songs; songs people actually enjoy listening to more than once. I can remember all kinds of great guitar players who tried to put out instrumental albums only to fall flat because the songs were rubbish...nothing more than excuses to play one hundred mile per hour licks. There was nothing interesting about them...nothing memorable.

Consider the songs that have become classics...they are catchy, memorable, contagious. That's the burden of a real musician: to compose music listeners actually want to hear. Paul Gilbert has achieved that with Fuzz Universe. Worthy of notice is the fact that Paul incorporates Wah Pedals for the first time on this album. He's a master and it adds so much to his playing! Don't regress Paul. His tone is phenomenal, and the songs are a lot of fun. Buy it now, shred fans, you won't regret it!

REVIEW: JOE SATRIANI - Black Swans and Wormhole Wizards

In order to add some fun content, I thought I would undertake reviewing albums from time to time; specifically the kind of guitar oriented music I compose and enjoy listening too. First on the cue will be JOE SATRIANI'S recently released "Black Swans and Wormhole Wizards."

First of all, let me say that I'm a big Joe Satriani fan all the way back with Surfing with the Alien. In fact, despite his many albums since, I still consider Surfing to be his best. That said, Black Swans has some good music on it. Tunes like Premonition and Light Years Away as well as God is crying have a good groove going. However, there's nothing as fast as Crystal Planet or Surfing with the Alien on this album...not even close.

Black Swans is a quality recording, but this feels like a safe, reserved album. Satch is not pushing the envelope here. I realize the old days, when fretboard pyrotechnics felt new and inventive, are for the most part gone...but that shouldn't mean laxing below your ability. Satriani is an awesome player. I only wish that awesomeness was more on display here. I got the Mp3 album off of Amazon for $5 so I got a deal. If I had paid more, I probably would have felt more disappointed because it won't get many repeat listens. Bottom Line: there's a few enjoyable songs worth replaying...others that you'll soon forget.

New Chaotic Order Demo coming, followed by our first full album late 2011

Stay tuned for instrumental, guitar driven madness as the Chaotic Order album will hopefully come late 2011...in the meantime a two song demo will soon be available as a preview of our stuff. Songs on the demo--previously recorded--will also appear in revised forms on the album when it arrives as bonus tracks.

"Of Things to Come," is the appropriately named demo that will soon be available on Amazon Mp3 downloads. The two featured songs are very satriani-esque in style - maybe a little heavier than satch rhythmically.