ANDY JAMES - review added 18th July 2011
Instrumental Album Review: S/T (2011)
For fans of: Shredding
Sacred Mother Tongue guitarist Andy James already has a few solo releases to his name. The last one we got our grubby mits on was his 2009 EP "Kaos 7". It was rather good to be fair, and whilst clearly from the same virtuoso hands as this one, the style was a few streets away. The production, in comparison to this new self-titled album, was also a tad muggy.
Sound-wise Andy has certainly surpassed himself here. This is a crystal clear instrumental epic with heaviness, soloing, progressions and complex picking all standing shoulder to shoulder. The number of positive words you'll find about this guy on the internet stretches from here to the middle of next week. This album really does justify every one of them. Okay, he doesn't stray to far from straight-ahead playing - there isn't much Satriani-esque experimentation here - but for me that's a good thing. There's variety without going loco.
Track-wise, although first song 'Legion' is arguably the best the quality simply doesn't let up. Andy's signature brilliance is there from start to finish, and whilst his spunky fret-speed might not appeal to all...it bloody well should.
In Summation:
Great instrumental album boasting huge quantities of skill and panache. A little more character wouldn't go amiss, but that really is clutching at straws.
Entertainment/Enjoyment:
Musicianship:
Song Writing:
Production:
Overall (Not An Average Of The Above):
Track List:
01. Legion
02. Angel of Darkness
03. The Storm
04. What Lies Beneath
05. Burn It Down
06. Into The Void
07. Dust in the Wind
08. Separation
09. Gateways
10. Bullet In The Head
11. War March
Band/Performers:
Other Info:
Label: Transcend Records
Artist's website(s): MySpace
