Search - :: Electric Warrior - Acoustic Saint

Not for everyone, but what a guitarist

Craig Payne | Ottumwa, Iowa | 03/07/2007

(5 out of 5 stars)

"I felt prompted to write when I read the "editorial review" provided by amazon--"26 tracks of acoustical jams"?!?!? Obviously the reviewer never listened to any of this outrageously over-the-top guitar masterpiece. "Angry Candy," "Marriage of Figaro," and "Plymouth Rock" are some of the electric highlights; however, there ARE a lot of great acoustic tunes as well. I had forgotten until I recently re-listened to this recording how astonishing some of Cordola's acoustic work is. He is so precise and clean while rampaging all over the guitar at hyper-drive speed. Sort of a Christian combination of Yngwie Malmsteen and Al Dimeola, if you can imagine such a hybrid. It isn't for everyone, mainly because there's some interesting jazz, pop, classical, even country, but all blended into what is primarily a LOUD HARD METAL recording ("acoustical jams," indeed!). It's an added plus just to hear how much fun Cordola has goofing off on the many shorter pieces as well. They don't really go anywhere musically, but you don't feel cheated because of the many longer jaw-dropping solos scattered throughout the recording. The few songs with vocals are okay, but they wouldn't be the reason you'd buy this. However, let me give one complaint--what a letdown (mainly because of the criminally lousy production) was Cordola's follow-up recording "Of Riffs and Symphonies." What on earth happened? But THIS wonderfully produced recording is a work of guitar genius--not a word I throw around lightly.

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