He plays it all, including scorching Metal leads, jazz-fusion, country and even classical! Every tune on the album is a keeper, worth hearing over and over again! What's better to me is that the playing doesn't seem pretentious in any way. He does his thing, and is not over the top at any time with his playing! Not having ever met him, I get the impression that he's the kind of guy you could probably strike up a conversation with very easily, and without fear of getting the star attitude! He truly is the real deal!

I should also make sure to mention the supporting cast on this excellent record! Every instrumental/vocal part is played expertly! I have played with really good guitar players, and I know that it was a daunting task. However, none of these musicians seem shaken; each plays with skill and creativity, further boosting the quality of this amazing record. You simply have to hear the work on The Unstruck Melody to fully understand! It is a truly rare gem!

Songwriting - 9.9 out of 10
I love the variety of different sounds/styles that went into the making of The Unstruck Melody! As mentioned above, a little bit of everything went into the songs on this disc! Of particular interest to me was the song "Tribute", with a soaring melody and incredible rhythm section work. Along with it, there is a very funky track called "The Real You", with a wah-wah melody/solo that I played two or three times because I loved it so much!

Of lesser interest to me were the songs that included vocal tracks - they weren't bad, but that's not Eric Mantel's forte! He is at his best when he is strumming, picking, or hammering! Others may not agree with me on that point, so I hope it isn't a big deal - it's a highly creative and interesting record that will have music fans salivating for more tasty tunes!

Sound Quality/Professionalism - 10 out of 10
'Fabulous' is the best word that I can think of to describe the sound/professionalism of this record! The guitars sound excellent, and all supporting tracks are mixed and blended with the guitars perfectly! I couldn't be happier with the sound quality! Much is owed to drummer/producer Patrick Doody for making this album one of the best I've heard in a long time!

Packaging - 10 out of 10
In keeping with the incredible creativity embodied in the sounds from The Unstruck Melody, the packaging and graphics are also excellent! The CD insert is a 12-panel foldout that has a mural on one side, and a combination of track listings, lyrics, and musical/production credits on the other side! Everything looks great, and functions well! Hats off to those who designed this great package! The outer shell lives up to the level of professionalism included on the disc!

Favorite Tracks
Tribute
The Real You
Don't Let the Day Go By
Wings of Fire
Only Want Your Love
Affectionately Yours
Tai-Chi

Overall Rating - 10 out of 10
As a general rule, instrumental albums tend to get boring after a little while. In the case of a musician who truly thinks that he is God's gift to his respective instrument, this is particularly true! Said musician is usually so enamored by his own playing that he ends up making a record only he is capable of appreciating! So, hearing this record, and the ability that Eric Mantel has to connect with his listener, it's awesome to know that he is giving them what they truly want to hear! He solos incredibly well, but doesn't build his songs around them. Each song has a great foundation on its own, thanks to a great band that enhances his overall sound!

I would definitely recommend that you get a copy of The Unstruck Melody! It is a truly amazing display of guitar ability, and whether your flavor of choice is Jazz, Rock, Country or Classical, you will appreciate Eric Mantel's ability to interpret each style fluently! Again and again, you'll spin the tracks, catching new phrases and nuances each time! I'm on my fourth listen, and I'm still finding things to appreciate! How much more can you ask from a CD?