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Vol. 14, No. 4: Jun.-Jul. 2009
 
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Daily Spotlight

music music Giuseppe Silvestri
La Rosa Del Deserto
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Neo-Classical Metal/Heavy Metal

Reviewer Dimitris Starakis, of the Magic Starlite 'Zine writes about Giuseppe Silvestri's 2008 CD La Rosa Del Deserto, "This is the second CD from the 34-year-old guitarist, who recently signed a contract with Secret Port Records and he definitely carries the tradition of the great Italian scene! I really enjoy instrumental albums, especially when the composer strongly focuses on his inspirational melodies and riffs, without having the demonstration of various techniques as a top priority. The style of the album ranges from my favorite Neo-Classical songs ("Inferno", "Coral Castle", "Portrait of Isabel", "Les Fleur Du Mal"), to Eastern-influenced tracks ("Gates Of Passion"), mid-tempo pompous compositions ("Eternity") and quite sentimental moments (the title track, "Daisy") so there's plenty of variety for the listener to choose which songs fits their taste best. Giuseppe is totally enjoyable when he performs the songs: he uses catchy phrases which never produce a dull moment and I think that this is the great advantage of his second effort. Allow me also to express my admiration for the song "Portrait Of Isabel" since I think that in this particular song Giuseppe proves his advanced skills as a composer." Instrumental Guitar, total running time, 55:15



In Review
'What Lies Beyond Words' Review Featured In ProgScape.com

music
Hard Rock/Shred
By: Bill Knispel

music cott Allen has been playing guitar since first discovering Van Halen at 11. At 20 he enrolled at the Musician`s Institute, graduating in 1996 after studying with players such as Scott Henderson and Brett Garsed. The Scott Allen Project has been his main performing ensemble, having opened for national artists such as Planet X, Gary Hoey and Eric Martin of Mr. Big. Allen has also gotten significant press coverage for his playing in a variety of regional and national publications, including Guitar Player Magazine, Northeast In-tune Magazine, Rise Music Magazine, and Unsigned Music Magazine.

What Lies Beyond Words is Allen`s first album, and has been produced by Tesla guitarist Frank Hannon.

The first and most important thing that I must impress in this review is that this album is made up of songs. Not launching pads for instrumental wankery par excellence (or more accurately, in extremis). Scott Allen has crafted 11 tracks that stand as structured songs. Despite the guitar being the lead melodic voice, it would not be difficult at all to imagine these tracks with vocals.

Allen has assembled a strong supporting cast of musicians to bring these compositions to life. Tom Frost and Brian Kinney are a solid rhythm section on drums and bass, respectively. Marty Cresci handles rhythm guitar, and also gets an opportunity to show off a little with an outro solo on the album`s concluding track, "The Clock is Ticking." The band gels quite well, and it feels obvious that they`ve done some significant woodshedding to polish their playing and songwriting skills. Frank Hannon`s production pulls no punches, with crisp highs, a thick midrange and punchy lows that can rattle windows at high volumes, perfect for the high energy instrumental rock the Scott Allen Project brings to the table.

What Lies Beyond Words opens with "I Want Some of This (Bring It On)," a rocker which alternates crunchy blues with Satriani-esque lead lines. "The Grind" is just that; a sleazy mid tempo stomper with fuzzy, tremelo drenched guitar and a groove as deep as the Grand Canyon. Slower tracks such as "Saying Goodbye" show some degree of Jeff Beck influence, as Allen wrings long, weepy sustained notes from his instrument while his bandmates drive a smooth, jazzy vamp underneath. The album contrasts this quiet mood with the raucous "Eternal Optimist," a bright, cheery rocker with bursts of double kick drum and tastefully crunchy rhythm guitar.

A jazzier vibe can be heard on "The Cool Breeze," with Cresci`s clean guitar chords glistening under overdriven leads. "A Girl I Once Knew" is an uplifting, almost anthemic rocker, with keyboard orchestration and a tasteful harmonized lead tone.

The album closes with "The Clock Is Ticking." This track literally opens with the ticking of a stopwatch as the song shifts through several time and mood changes. It`s one of the least straightforward tracks on the album, and its complexity is effortless and enjoyable.

What Lies Beyond Words is appealing in that it offers actual songs for Allen to show off his guitar playing chops. With a surfeit of melody and less wanking per minute than most guitar-based instrumental albums, Scott Allen`s What Lies Beyond Words is striking evidence that his is a guitar voice worthy of mention alongside the current giants in the instrumental guitar arena. If you dig players like Satriani or Petrucci, especially at their most melodic, Scott Allen will be right up you alley.



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