emember when you were a kid, playing with fireworks and you had the experience of your first firecracker exploding in your hand because the fuse was WAY too fast burning? You light the match, light the fuse and before you can throw it... "BANG!"... it just surprised the hell out of you! The feeling you get from pressing the PLAY button on your CD player with the latest Bozzio/Levin/Stevens release in the tray is much the same. From the opening track, "Dangerous," this CD is startling. This is NOT the sound of their first release, "Black Light Syndrome". "Syndrome" was a collection of three extremely talented guys laying tracks over each other's, until the CD was finished. This CD is a well-oiled machine of shred and talent.
Steve Stevens' playing is refreshing and new, creative and innovative. He has a recipe for creation that just can't be beat. Another thing that excites me about this disc is the variety of styles he uses. You've heard Rock and Roll, Rhythm and Blues, and Jazz Fusion,.. but how about "progressive flamenco!" For those of you not familiar with Steve's Spanish/flamenco playing, you're in for a pleasant surprise. With the help of Tony Levin and Terry Bozzio, he's been able to mesh progressive rock with flamenco styling and licks. It's a great thing to hear.
Terry Bozzio seems to be challenging his cohorts by serving up patterns and rhythms on the drums that would give many musicians fits. Ever-changing time signatures, grooves and beats allow the talents of Stevens and Levin to really shine. Now, if you're a drummer, you must be familiar with Terry. He's played with Holdsworth in UK, Frank Zappa, Missing Persons and Jeff Beck just to name a few. He's one of today's most sought-after studio musicians. When my 12-year-old daughter, who is also an aspiring drummer, saw Terry at a drum clinic, she said she heard sounds that she didn't know a drummer could make. What she was referring to was the way Terry uses the cymbals and heads not to provide a beat, but to actually slide some likes and scales into the mix. Keep your eye on The House of Shred as I will be interviewing Terry soon.
Tony Levin. Need I tell you about this guy's playing? His playing on this disc is what you would expect from one of the modern days most respected and requested bass players. Tony can provide a foundation for any band, any style without hesitation. His playing is pristine. On this disc he can be found playing the Bass, the NS electric standup, his signature Chapman stick, and even cello!
"Situation Dangerous" is another great release from our friends at Magna Carta, from whom we have all come to expect the absolute best in progressive music. To be perfectly honest with you, I would pick up a disc with the Magna Carta label on it without ever hearing the performer, without hesitation. You just know it's going to be great. This eight-track disc is no exception. If you can't tell already, I'm very excited about this disc! It's stuck in my CD player for a while, I promise you that. There's a couple of other CD's that I need to write reviews for... but they are going to have to wait a little bit longer. Buy this CD or have an empty hole in your collection of shred that you just don't want or need!
Overall Rating: 9
Shred: 9
Production: 9
Vibe: 9
Songwriting: 9
emember when you were a kid, playing with fireworks and you had the experience of your first firecracker exploding in your hand because the fuse was WAY too fast burning? You light the match, light the fuse and before you can throw it... "BANG!"... it just surprised the hell out of you! The feeling you get from pressing the PLAY button on your CD player with the latest Bozzio/Levin/Stevens release in the tray is much the same. From the opening track, "Dangerous," this CD is startling. This is NOT the sound of their first release, "Black Light Syndrome". "Syndrome" was a collection of three extremely talented guys laying tracks over each other's, until the CD was finished. This CD is a well-oiled machine of shred and talent. 