Neuhauser, Ronnie: Ronnie Neuhauser’s Styrocultural Antidote - Ballet of the Elephant

Let us return to the zany world of Ronnie Neuhauser. I have continued to work through a few of this artist’s releases, and right now focusing on his project Styrocultural Antidote. His other projects include the Nocheez Orchestra and Fe Fi Fo. Neuhauser’s music is rather difficult to describe and even categorize. With this project the focus is more on rock and fusion and is mainly instrumental with guest vocals on one track. First and foremost, Neuhauser is a superb guitarist and on this album titled Ballet of the Elephant, released in 2009 on his own label Nocheez Records, his fiery lead guitar and fusion riffs are the trademark of this disc. Rounding out the power trio is bassist Fred Melillo and drummer Jeremy Shulick.

Neuhauser’s playing mostly reminds me of Joe Satriani and Steve Vai, offering impressive guitar acrobatics on every track. The amusingly titled “I Want An Easter Egg� gives the disc a great kick right from the start with blistering lead guitar and a driving rhythm of bass and drums. The guitarist is absolutely on fire playing a searing form of rock and fusion. It is a catchy guitar driven rocker to be sure. More biting guitar tones and impressive rhythmic changes can be heard on “Fe Fi Fo What The Fum?� and on the next track “Ballet Of The Elephant� the razor-like guitar riffs slice and dice through the soundscape, almost sounding like Knopfler’s when he’s in full fledged rock mode. More tricky rhythms and stellar guitar soloing really brings on the fusion in a big way.

The last track “Oddly Enough/New Day And Movement� features the vocals of Poetikiss who provides a sort of half rap/half spoken diatribe on cultural and societal changes that need to be changed. Again, Neuhauser’s guitar playing is simply outstanding, along with the bass and drums.

Ballet of the Elephant is an excellent example of rock fusion that will sit well beside the other axe masters previously mentioned. In a word, excellent.

Track Listing:
1. I Want An Easter Egg (4:47)
2. Fe Fi Fo What The Fum? (5:27)
3. Ballet Of The Elephant (7:13)
a. The Thundering Herd
b. Tutu’s And Pink Slippers
c. The Thundering Herd (Recapitulated)
4. Guitarajar (5:16)
5. From The Trough (1:54)
6. Mad Cow (3:58)
7. Shangri-La (5:36)
8. Here Come The Suits (5:20)
9. Oddly Enough/New Day And Movement (4:55)

Added: April 15th 2021
Reviewer: Jon Neudorf
Score:
Related Link: Label's Official Site
Hits: 695
Language: english

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