With a playing style that echoes Joe Satriani and Eric Johnson, instrumental electric guitarist Tommy Merry has been making music for local radio shows and commercials in California for years, and his song "Beyond" can be heard on Fox's "The Best Damn Sports Show Period." But his third solo album, simply titled 3 and recorded with a rhythm guitarist and a drummer (no bass player listed!), proves that Merry deserves better status than background music for the likes of Tom Arnold.
Merry's rich playing is all over the musical map — neoclassical metal on "The Hell you Say!," arena rock on "Out of the Blue," balls-to-the-wall heavy metal on "Rites of Passage" and sonic experimentation on "Decade." Many of these songs, particularly the more melodic ones, cry out for lyrics. In fact, Merry's guitar tones even attempt to mimic vocals on "The Valkyries." Through it all, though, Merry keeps 3 a band effort. Sure, his fat guitar sound dominates the 11 tracks here, but this lively trio obviously enjoys playing together and is comfortable with many different styles. That's why Merry's next project should be a holiday album in the vein of Trans-Siberian Orchestra. He could call it Merry Christmas.
Track Listing:
1) F.O.G.
2) Terra Nulius
3) Kellie Green
4) Remembrance
5) The Hell You Say!
6) 24 Caprices Op.1 for Solo Violin No. 19 in E
7) Out of the Blue
8) Decade
9) The Valkyries
10) Walking Backwards
11) Rites of Passage
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