Andersen, Martin J.: Victory In Motion

Although I thoroughly enjoyed the vocal driven Six String Renegade solo album from guitarist and singer Martin J. Anderson, it’s actually the Dane’s work with the band Blindstone that I’m drawn back to again and again. However, with solo outing number two, Victory In Motion, the fret burner has decided to change things up. Gone are the vocals, with VIM being a full on guitar focused instrumental offering and one where the word ‘shred’ could be quite righty whispered. Yes, think Satch, think Vinnie Moore and think Tony MacAlpine. And yet, Andersen has something different from those other guys to fall back on and that’s a long catalogue of bluesy hard rock to inform his fret-fury. Hence, while this album can be brought into the shred shed and be right at home, it also feels connected to what this collection’s main man has long been known for.

That in itself not only keeps you locked in as “Signs And Portents� builds from atmospheric scene setting into a boisterous strut of powerful hard rocking goodness but it also genuinely differentiates Victory In Motion from the countless albums that have looked to mine this seam over the years. For me where things don’t quite click as I’d like is through a less than organic drum sound. The powerful percussive backing from drummer Klaus Agerbo kept reasonably simple as a slightly sterile drum and hi-hat sound never quite feels as natural as you’d hope. It’s not a major hang up to shake off though, especially when the guitar work truly shines on the mid paced stomp of blues that is “Searching For The Truth�. A track which really leaves little doubt of the fret authenticity on display.

The album’s opening “Overture� is another fine example of Andersen’s captivating skills and as the short introduction explodes into the guitar ‘talk’ of “March Of The Machines�, the guitarist’s ability to tell stories through his instrument becomes impressively apparent. Add in the Hendrix howl of “Soul Anesthesia� and it’s clear that not only is Andersen here to show off his dextrous flourishes but also a feel and tone that’s simply impossible to argue with - even if he’s a blur of notes as he does so on this track.

With a steam train chug-a-chug added to the fret dancing of “In A Blue Funk� and “With Hope And Perseverance� revealing a much more tender and heartfelt edge, there’s also more than enough variance packed into an album. That Martin J. Andersen can so easily avoid so many instrumental album pitfalls should not only tell you that he’s a stunningly good guitarist but that he can also compose some captivating music. Hence it should be no surprise that he’s decided to call the results Victory In Motion - and he’s right.

Track Listing
1. OVERTURE

2. MARCH OF THE MACHINES

3. PARADIGM SHIFT

4. SOUL ANESTHESIA

5. SIGNS AND PORTENTS

6. SEARCHING FOR THE TRUTH

7. IN A BLUE FUNK

8. VICTORY IN MOTION

9. WITH HOPE AND PERSEVERANCE

10. ONE LAST REMARK

Added: October 27th 2020
Reviewer: Steven Reid
Score:
Related Link: Victory In Motion @ The Grooveyard
Hits: 1002
Language: english

[ Printer Friendly Page ]
[ Send to a Friend ]