Weiss, Adrian: Big Time

So guitar shredder, no wipe that, guitar virtuoso Adrian Weiss has just graced my system for a serious amount of time and with each passing play I hear something fresh and new in his sound.

It is quite easy these days to offer comparison against other guitarists and in doing so you could quite easily undermine the remit of Big Time. The most obvious reference that can be heard here is Joe Satriani, a comparison that I don't think fellow American Adrian Weiss would be embarrassed about. In all honesty, had this guy been making albums like this in the 80's there would be no doubt that he would have been one of the influential stable mates in the Mike Varney's school of guitar virtuosity along side such icons as Vinnie Moore, David Chastain, Marty Friedman, Jason Becker or Paul Gilbert.

Adrian has recorded eleven stunning guitar oriented instrumentals with no repeating themes, eleven worthy and interestingly approached tracks that never at any stage become self indulgent, boring or dull.

From the opening notes of Summer Drive Mr. Weiss sets out his stalls, an ethos which is to entertain the listener to the highest order, a melodic journey that is just filled with beauty and elegance. This maybe his eighth outing on album and his eponymous solo album, seven of his previous works have been with his bands Thought Sphere and Forces at Work, but the diversity here is more than rewarding.

Easy on the Ice steps up to the plate conjuring his magic, displaying that he is no one trick pony as he hits all the right tonal phrasings, rhythmically adding some sublime lead passages. Tough Luck has a more relaxed approach before it builds, lavish and masterful, something that graces the whole album.

The melodies executed on the album are mesmerizing, elaborate and often ornamented, something that lends grace and beauty to the proceedings with Egyptian Inscription being a prime example of that. You can feel every note being wrung out of the neck of his chosen weapon.

Liquid Pension Embellishment one of the finer standout tracks rocks like the proverbial, an embellishment of his style, displaying another perfect example of his understanding of his instrument as they enact perfectly as one, as does the following track Bright Awakening. Even when his heavier approached constructs evolve like Morning Run or The Progressive Society the fantastic production job just compliments his artistic approach, making him standout in a world of pretenders.

During his time perfecting his musical prose in Germany, Adrian has built up a strong relationship with some stunning musicians who have contributed throughout this album which adds a further depth and is something that should definitely not be overlooked.

All the musical excursions offered here are memorable, playful and more importantly of the highest order.

Adrian states in his booklet, "My amp goes up to 11!" Hey Adrian so does mine and there's where it's sitting right now.............

Track List:
1. Summer Drive
2. Easy on the Ice
3. Tough Luck
4. Egyptian Inscription
5. Desert Sanctuary
6. Estimated Time of Arrival
7. Liquid Pension Embellishment
8. Bright Awakening
9. Morning Run
10. Disappear
11. The Progressive Society

Added: December 20th 2011
Reviewer: John OBoyle
Score:
Related Link: www.adrianweissmusic.de
Hits: 2166
Language: english

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