Now back to GUITAR HAUS. The disc sleeve displays many different guitars, which should mean that there are many different styles. Not really. The difference in the music is does not go from metal to acoustic, but all melodic blues/rock/fusion. The disc opens with "Noise In The Attic," which follows an aggressive rhythm and clean electric leads. "Late Night Snack" is slower paced, which give way to a haunting melody. McAvinchey handles the duties of keyboards and bass as well as guitar. Although the drums are courtesy of MIDI, the programming comes from Elton John drummer Nigel Olsson and Dixie Dregs' drummer Rod Morgenstein. Good choices!

"Sudden Storm" begins on the slower side, and picks up like a front rolling in. As the storm passes, the composition closes in melodic drizzle.

"Morning Sun" shines with perhaps the most technique on the disc. In "Wah Kingdom," McAvinchey uses a variety of effects to alter the sound of the guitar. The most prominent effect is--you guessed it, the Wah pedal. Add a bosa nova beat with a Spanish guitar and you have "Casa Diamante." The distorted guitar and searing lead give way to one of the only keyboard solos on the disc. After ten tracks, the listener enters the extra innings of the bonus track area. If the release is only out on CD, then how can there be bonus tracks? McAvinchey said the bonus tracks are merely tracks that were not written for GUITAR HAUS, but were previously written.

"Millennium" is a piano piece that also features the acoustic guitar. This is the slowest composition, yet performed extremely well. It is no surprise because the disc seems to strike all the right chords. "Voyager" again combines solid writing with distorted guitar. Keyboards are added to fill in any gaps in the guitar. Finally, "Carolina" uses piano and acoustic guitar to begin what sounds like a Western instrumental. Then the distinct distorted guitar solos. The two different guitar sounds trade leads to complete this well written and well performed.

For a debut disc, McAvinchey has come forward with a tremendous disc. The only complaint is that the tracks average just less than four minutes. When you are getting into the song, it ends. Instrumental music allows the artists the opportunity to enter into longer compositions, especially when the chances of radio play are slim. The Guitar Nine website is also a great way to check out over 60 other instrumental guitar releases. Check it out!