ove over Satriani there's a new cyber guitarist in town!
This album has been with me for quite a number of weeks now (apologies Dave) but its
taken me sometime to get to the point where I am able to write about it - mainly
down to the unique sound on display.
Second Attention is sure to be adopted by anyone that has even the slightest passing
interest for the kind of cyber guitar outings the likes of Joe Satriani or later day
Jeff Beck are producing. However, to these ears Odegaard has outdone these two.
Second Attention is certainly a much stronger release than Satriani's 'Engines Of
Creation'. Where you could hear what Satriani was trying to achieve with that album
(but IMO ultimately failing), Odegaard has made the album Satch was probably aiming
it.
This is classic guitar work mixed in with the ambient and transient touches of
dance, jazz fusion and funk grooves. Couple this with a crystal clear lively
production and mix - no doubt aided by the great rhythm section - and Second
Attention really starts to touch all the right spots.
On the guitar side of things Odegaard's playing is equal measures rhythm and lead
work. Second Attention is home to what would be best described as mature playing in
the lead department. Odegaard's warm tone helps the strong melodic sense and vibrato
shine through every note. The tone is reminiscent of Satriani's but has a little
more earth and grit in it - what really stood out is the way Dave will really attack
the strings with his right hand providing great dynamics.
Its very difficult to actually pick out highlights as all the tracks are very
strong. However, extra praise has to goto the upbeat Extreme, the swinging Second
Attention (the track),the down and dirty Hallucinations, and the bluesy snarl of
Ramblin' Cat home to a smokin delivery in the vein of classic Joe Perry.
To sum the album up Second Attention is a very strong and original sounding album
from an artist that deserves to be picked up by one of the specialist labels out
there.