It takes a certain kind of egotist to put out a solo guitar album; the kind of egotism usually reserved for singers and those of us who spout forth our un-humble opinions and criticisms of musicians’ work (oh, wait…). I’m afraid I really don’t get it myself. I like my music with a little more substance; something that really attempts to speak to me and I suppose to come down to my l evel; whether it helps to let out some aggression, or has a strong message or just sends a chill down my spine. This virtuosic guitar genre just leaves me cold. It says little more than “I’m a better guitarist than you and I’m going to rub your face in it,” unless you are an equally talented guitarist and can actually gain some kind of, I don’t know, pleasure? Enlightenment? Knowledge, maybe, from it?
The booklet that accompanies this album advertises Ioannis’ other services, including an extensive series of instruction books and DVD’s, which seems a far better use for this mans talents. While I’m sure also that the breakdown of track info is fascinating to the budding guitar virtuoso, to the average metalhead it’s akin to a nuclear physicist talking science to an average Sun reader; pointless and rather condescending. Clearly I’m just bitter that I do not share the extraordinary musical talents of the Malmsteen’s, Vai’s and Anastassakis’ of the world and I should stop trying to amuse myself and get down to business.
As you would no doubt be expecting, this is all superbly played and while it is a total exercise in self indulgence, I do find this is a rather varied album that has it’s, dare I say, enjoyable moments. With his roots in flamenco guitar, this rather exotic style comes into play in numerous bursts throughout this record with ‘A Mi Madre’ and ‘Veridiana’ casting a ray of sun-soaked Spanish warmth across an otherwise coolly clinical oeuvre. You can imagine the dark-skinned Lolita’s clicking their castanets during siesta to the former track.
Tracks like ‘Astrochicken’s Victorious Attack’ really come across with a ton of power and oomph; if this had vocals then I would certainly be inclined to whack it on the stereo when the mood takes me to listen to some decent power metal. ‘Abort Horizon’ is another real powerhouse and the keyboards really add a nice symphonic flair that will delight fans of Symphony X and Sonata Arctica. There’s an eastern flavour to ‘The Greek Guitar Power Jam’ which is probably understandable given the name of the track! ‘Weird Thing’ is certainly a highlight and I rather like its cool samba vibe; even if it does lend me to imagine being stuck in a hotel lift somewhere in the Med.
Despite my adversity to this style, it’s actually quite a pleasant listen made more so by the diverse range of styles applied to the mix. At 74 minutes long, I do feel rather exhausted by the time we get to the bonus tracks. This will go down very well with fans of guitar oriented music, though needless to say it won’t be going back on the decks in this house.
http://www.ioannis.org
http://www.myspace.com/ioannisanastassakis
