Brooks, Chris: The Axis Of All Things

Australian guitarist Chris Brooks brings all his skill to bear on this new cd. It's hard these days to bring anything totally new to the world of instrumental guitar playing. I wouldn't say Brooks breaks any new ground, but that's no reason not to like this album. He falls mostly on the side of the Satriani/Vai/Hoey, as well as new school fusion a la Jeff Kollman, but he's certainly not stuck there as a pale imitation. The songs are well-written and tuneful. Brooks constructs memorable hooks and melodies and there's a heck of a groove on most of the tracks, especially "Transfiguration" and "Open Doors". Though more steeped in the 'rock', he has no trouble breaking out the metal shred when he needs to, or flitting lightly over a jazzy phrase, reminding me also of Jeff Kollman. Chris sounds like a player who can handle and kind of music, and can do so looking relaxed and at home, always tasteful and adventurous at the same time.

Some highlights for me were the acoustic solo on "Feeding The Myth", the soaring outro solo of "In And Out In Dreams", and the blues meets neoclassical buildup of the opening track, appropriately titled "Prelude". It must also be said the the backing musicians are fully up to the task and the whole album has a certain life and energy to it that far too many instrumental albums lack. A must have for fans of instrumental electric guitar music.

Track Listing
1. Prelude
2. The Axis Of All Things
3. Transfiguration
4. Open Doors
5. Not The Day, Nor The Hour
6. Wisdom Road
7. Hammer's Heart
8. Feeding The Myth
9. In And Out Of Dreams (Axis pt2)
10. Velvet Claws

Added: December 29th 2011
Reviewer: Sean Gill
Score:
Related Link: Chris Brooks Official Website
Hits: 3625
Language: english

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