Ioannis Anastassakis : Orbital Attempt
by Alissa Ordabai
Guest Staff Writer
Gratuitous demonstrations of sleek, well-groomed technique are packed in so densely into this 2009 instrumental release that they leave little room for anything else – be it compositional dynamics, a sense of narrative or simply variety – either of tempo, tone, mood, or texture.
Impeccably executed, although rather sterile flamenco numbers such as “A Mi Madre” and “Veridiana” punctuate this release as welcome breathers, but it is the flamenco tradition itself rather than Anastassakis’s own sensibility which makes him refocus here and allow his music to breathe for a change. Because once he is done tipping off his hat to the time-honored genre, it’s all back to hurried, edgeless, superficial instrumental rock with torrents of self-indulgent licks piled at break-neck speed on top of a monotonous rhythm section.
The standout “Progressive Minds” is another departure from the well-oiled, self-absorbed routine where Anastassakis’s country leanings lift the proceedings out of the emotionally impenetrable, harried parade of chops. But rare glimpses of true flair and originality are in the end spoiled by the two final tracks. One of which is a collection of solos Anastassakis has played as a guest musician on other people’s albums (a disjointed stop-and-start assortment of shred workouts) and the other – a rhythm section backing track to one of the songs just heard on this album. What artistic purpose those two inclusions serve is unclear, unless you view this disk not as a means to connect with a listener, but as a CV. As such, this release probably makes sense. And if that was indeed the purpose, let’s hope that the time making this record was well-spent and Anastassakis gets hired by a band which can relate to his up-front way of making one simple statement: “I can shred”.
Track Listing:
1. The Promised Land
2. Victorious Atta
3. Weird Thing
4. A Mi Madre (Soleares)
5. Orbital Attempt
6. Progressive Minds
7. Veridiana (Rumba Flamenca)
8. Abort Horizon
9. The Greek Guitar Power Jam
10. Guest Solos 2008
11. BACKING – The Greek Guitar Power Jam
Label: Wild Rose Angel Production
Online: www.ioannis.org
Hardrock Haven rating: 4/10