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Garsed; Brett: Dark Matter

To many Brett Garsed may be best known as the guitarist who recorded with the hugely successful Australian singer John Farnham, or as guitarist on the Nelson album After The Rain which spawned the huge hit "(I Can't Live Without Your) Love And Affection", or even as a sideman on the most recent Paul Stanley (Kiss) solo tour. However for this hugely talented Aussie six string supremo that is only a small part of the story, with appearances on albums by Derek Sherinian (Dream Theater/Black Country Communion), as well as being part Uncle Moe's Space Ranch and releasing a 2002 solo album Big Sky.

Recruiting the help of Ric Fierabracci on bass, Phil Turcio on bass and Gerry Pantzis on drums, Garsed has finally followed up Big Sky with his second solo release Dark Matter which sees the highly respected fret-master covering a wide variety of styles and approaches with ease and skill. Opening with the album's title track, a song which finds drummer extraordinaire Virgil Donati, who's discography is too long to even consider listing, sitting in on the kit, Garsed covers just about every base right from the off. Bluesy, jazz infused and containing a finger blistering piece of shredding, "Dark Matter" sets this album's stall out in an uncompromising and impressive manner. Not an album likely to convert non guitar instrumental fans, Dark Matter is for someone who has albums by the likes of Frank Gambale, Andy Timmons, Greg Howe or indeed Joe Satriani a complete delight, with full on shredding sitting comfortably alongside some incredibly emotional blues, fusion, or almost prog metal. This makes for an album that not only impresses through the dextrous musicianship on show, but also through the construction and delivery of the actual songs themselves. Lesser guitarists couldn't deliver the poise or precision to make the airy "If Only" as moving as it is. "James Bong (License To Chill)" does exactly what it says on the tin, with Garsed's guitar and Turcio's keyboards sharing top billing on a song that oozes class and restraint, whereas "Android" rocks things up with an insistent beat which cleverly knows when to sit back and when to drive the song on at full pelt.

Crammed with jaw dropping six string work and top notch performances from all the other musicians involved, Dark Matter is one of those rare things, a guitar instrumental album which contains cracking songs from start to finish, nor does it lack for not having a vocalist in any shape or form. On the strength of this release, Garsed deserves to be up there with the Vai's, Timmons' and Satch's of this world.


Track Listing
1. Dark Matter
2. Android
3. If Only
4. Avoid The Void
5. James Bong (License To Chill)
6. Closure
7. Poison Dwarf
8. Be Here Now
9. Enigma

Added: November 11th 2011
Reviewer: Steven Reid
Score:
Related Link: Brett Garsed Official Site
Hits: 3138
Language: english

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