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H R H - R E V I E W S
Mark Shuster
Comments: Shred? Sure. Powerful riffs? Check. Is this yet another mindless pseudo guitar god album? No fucking way! Former drummer boy Mark Shuster was even self-deprecating in his press release for this album, something you will never see from an expert guitarist. He admitted he hadn't touched a guitar in more then 10 years! That may be the most refreshingly honest thing in the history of rock CD promotion. The $64,000 question is: was his extended layoff a liability? In this case, no it certainly was not. In his case it was more then 10 years spent growing, maturing and letting multiple solid rhythms spawn into one well-written song after another! There is a song here for all style guitar aficionados. The metal fans get an early treat with a distortional almost Satriani, early Lynch flavored tune called "Bang, Bang" that includes some really "seasoned" bass guitar playing as well. Next up is the best written song on the CD, "Agree to Disagree," a soft rock/metal tune that flows like beads of water down Paris Hilton's legs. A muted "ahh, ahh" is sung a few times here but the highlight is the clear slow lead played over the basic rock rhythm. It's just so damn catchy! The rock/blues fans have "Dancing with the Devil" a soulful rock tune with mad feel and clarity. This track is as good a driving song as there has been in ages! An evil voice pans a Devilish, "Hey baby you wanna dance," as Schuster finishes with an almost Bayou rhythm. "Herd Of Elephants" includes some fast lead licks and much more slowly played heartfelt soul-rock as well. There are even a few psychedelic licks at the songs end too for good measure. The album's title track is a spirited rock/metal doing "85" in the slow lane bonanza! He even slams on the brakes at one point during the song and plays a piece of a possessed monster with high-pitched sustained notes of painful discourse. But then it's back into the manic weaving in and out of lanes and the depressive slows for red lights. Not sure who "Ginger" was, but she either had an impact on this life or a previous one for Mark. The track is solemn and pretty but morose and melancholy as well. It may either pleasantly remind you of a love once lost or inspire you to try and find that same lady sometime soon. It's that powerful. Up
next is the similar "A Matter of Time," which never speeds
but pulls on your heartstrings throughout with more soulful playing!
He laces it occasionally with tasty powerful lead pieces too. "Welcome
To the Freak Show" plays to a basic rock rhythm and includes
several speedy leads as well as a few more "Devil" style
vocal statements. The
last track is "The Long Road Home" a reflectively beautiful
way to enhance this well played album. This guy loves rhythms, and
man it shows! He probably dreams rhythms for Christ's sake! The leads
in this sound a bit of soulful, like Richie Sambora with a touch of
Jake. E Lee thrown in for flavor. Either way, they are as true and
real as your first kiss. The flow of this record is seamless and expert, and is just the beginning of the words you could use to describe Schuster's impeccably clean soulful style. Go to www.fossilrecords.net and pick up a copy of this unisex friendly record for Valentine's Day; your mate won't be disappointed, but he/she may get a few more speeding tickets! Band
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