"Guitarisma" by Torben Enevoldsen, however, isn't difficult to review at all. First, it's not entirely an instrumental album. Second, Torben's fretwork makes it very clear where each song is coming from and, perhaps more importantly, where it's going.

Take the CD's opening track, for instance. "Just In Case" is a smooth little boogie number that boasts wicked lead riffs and chunky choruses. No vocals on this one; just pure rock'n'roll.

"Indian summer", up next, sounds just like its name. It's a gentler, breezy number with soaring guitars instead of chunky ones and a lazier beat. It's got some chunk a little further in but it still rolls smoothly.

Track #3, "Time Ran Out", sounds like a radio hit out of the 80s, and is the first track featuring vocals by Kenny Lubcke. What's great about this song is that it sounds like a Slaughter or Warrant tune with more creative guitars.

The balance of the CD plays out with more of the same. "For A Friend", sounds like it could have come off a modern romance film soundtrack; "Take Your Pick" features guitars that sing like those of Steve Cropper and then morph into Megadeth territory. "Reach For Perfection" is another hit-bound vocal number; "Maybe Some Day" features some virtuoso fretwork and a fugue-like feel that blends exceptionally well; "What If...?" the final track, is a up-tempo, almost experimental number that explores exactly what its title asks.

Despite the fact that Torben Enevoldsen's name is on the CD (and rightfully so; Enevoldsen plays all guitars, wrote all the music and lyrics, arranged the music and co-produced the CD), his able band deserves special recognition as well: All are excellent and their talents merge well with Enevoldsen's.

Fans of instrumental guitar wizards (i.e., Joe Satriani, Steve Vai, Gary Hoey, etc.) will thrill to "Guitarisma". Others who prefer vocals with their rock'n'roll will enjoy this CD as well and may come to appreciate the "rock-as-instrumental" art form as well.

Performing on "Guitarisma" are Torben Enevoldsen, all guitars; Carsten Neumann, bass; Christian Rajkai, bass on "Just In Case", "Calm Waters" and "What If...?"; Kenny Lubcke, lead vocals; Torben Lysholm, drum programming and vocals.