By: Michael F.
f you love great melodic rock guitar with very good all around musicianship, In My
World by Marco Iacobini will certainly interest you. His instrumental music
navigates between progressive rock, jazz fusion and more pop sounding like rock
ballad. In a sense, he offers us a kind of middle of the road easy listening music
with a soothing emotional appeal. Most pieces are in the 3 to 4 minutes range. Marco
Iacobini is evidently a guitar virtuoso, but he chooses to use his mastery of guitar
in a subdued and subtle manner. We are far from death metal rock here, rather in
quiet melodic bliss. Which is not to say that the music is boring, quite the
contrary! When hearing In My World, the main feelings are in the joyous range and on
an upbeat mode. This is smiling and sunshine music not tears jerker and gloom
inducing one. Well, the main qualities of this opus reside in its wide appeal,
positive mood and constant melodic guitar.
The Hunter is a very good beginning and a great introduction to Iacobini talent.
Hearing it, we could find ties to other great guitarists like Satriani, Malmsteen or
Vai. 15/4 shows a great beat and complexities, probably one of the best jazz fusions
sounding like pieces on the album with its odd time signature. Fast and Furious is a
more progressive rock sounding like piece not far from bands such as Asia. Hot
Racers has a certain ZZ Top feel in its beat. For You is in my view and quite simply
a beautiful track where we could appreciate the shredders side of Mr. Iacobini. Red
Siren could be a very good film score with its hint of nostalgia. In Your Eyes is
another tranquil piece on the middle of the road side. Summer is a piece a little on
the pop rock side with interesting keys solo. Altered State is rather complex and
one of my favorite tracks, more in the prog realm. Coming Home returns to the rock
ballad form (I don't know why, but I picture Bryan Adams here). Red Siren (reprise)
with its dialogue between the piano and the guitar is touching. Sun finishes nicely
this very good CD.
I strongly recommend this CD for those of you who love melodic guitar with an
abundance of solos wrapped in various forms of smooth rock. All in all a very easy
and pleasing listen.
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