Ever leery of instrumental opuses involving guitar, guitar, and guitar — and yes, more guitar — at the cost of everything else, these ears were rather delighted with the fractaline approach to fiery playing that one Todd Grubbs is hereby guilty of. Culled from various stages in Grubbs' career, the selections on Toddities rarely reach Def Con 4 when it comes to shameless wankery — his brain controls his fingers, not the other way around. Best of all, they just plain rock. I'm reminded of a televised guitar showcase at which Rik Emmett was one judge; the most boastful finalist landed fifth place in the final five, whereas the quietly confident fretless axeman wowed the panel and the audience with his technique and captured first place. While he was good, Grubbs is even better, peppering his compositions with nuances of every guitar style short of flamenco — oh, he's played with many fine musicians, including Sean Malone, and played thousands of gigs, so I guess I should get a clue!
Super-clean production keeps everything very audible — no murky smothered bass, no overloud drums. Only on the oldest tracks do the layered guitars become overpowering. "In Search Of R1" is characteristically Bucketheadlike with its opening synth FX, crackpot voiceover, and jangly lead. "The Amazing Chihuahua Boy Rides Again" again evokes B'head with a huge, funky groove, though Grubbs' fondness for his wah pedal is his own — perhaps more Satrianiesque, then. "Eight Is Great" is a sweet jam that Rush mistakenly swept under the mixing board during the Presto sessions! "Big Fig" is a tribute to a departed feline friend that is perhaps my favorite alongside the first two. The final foursome is a set originally published as a debut EP way back in 1989. Even then, Grubbs wailed with taste, with the last two sending home the salvos: "Distant Reflections" is a jazz~rock ode to past signposts that further defines Grubbs' versatility by channeling Carlos Santana, and "In The Minds Of Mortals" decloaks those deep metal roots for a rip-roaring anthem in the league of Vinnie Moore and Greg Howe.
All in all, better than forty-five on a rebounder!
Tracklist:
1. In Search Of R1
2. The Amazing Chihuahua Boy Rides Again
3. Eight Is Great (The Baby Skeleton Dance)
4. Big Fig
5. Suspension Of Disbelief
6. Size 5 Lightning Boots 92
7. Shoot For Tuesday
8. Little Boogies
9. Tex Mex B.B.Q. Blowout
10. Distant Reflections
11. In The Minds Of Mortals
Total time – 42:13
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