M.S. continues to stretch guitar music boundaries with his second all instrumental project on Shrapnel Records. Includes one bonus track for 21 tracks in all. The tracks do not have titles. Standard jewel case. 2000 release.
M.S. continues to stretch guitar music boundaries with his second all instrumental project on Shrapnel Records. Includes one bonus track for 21 tracks in all. The tracks do not have titles. Standard jewel case. 2000 release.
"Hard to follow what I thought was a perfect album ("Adventures in Imagination"), but MS does a pretty good job. This is more of a concept album. I think his hardcore fans will probably enjoy it more than some people not familiar with Michael. I have to admit, I was thrown by the production. Some songs are broken up into very small bits and end when you would not think they would. However, the mind-altering guitar work is still there. I pray this guy keeps making records like this. No offense, but I think UFO and MSG have outlived their shelf-life. Michael as a solo player, with no singer, is what I like best."
Tony's Review
Tony Corsaro | Malvern, Pa United States | 02/02/2001
(5 out of 5 stars)
"Whoever says this cd is boring is brain dead! This cd jams from the first second to the last. Out of the 21 songs maybe 2 slowed down for about 45 seconds each. The music is like a train ripping down the track and you are just going for the greatest ride with the best view. Schenker proves that he is still a guitar god in the 21st century. Any guitar lover should buy this cd and if you are a Schenker fan it is a must!"
IN A HURRY!!!!
PATHERSON | 11/25/2002
(4 out of 5 stars)
"Michael Schenker, my favorite guitar player, seems to be in a hurry, and is recording in a frantic pace seldom witnessed! He records under three banners: UFO, MICHAEL SCHENKER GROUP and MICHAEL SCHENKER!! Amazing! His catalogue is now consisting of an endless stream of original studio albums, live albums and compilations. And, of course, he keeps changing the line-up in every album...DREAMS AND EXPRESSION is his second all-out instrumental album. It is more straight forward than ADVENTURES OF THE IMAGINATION, and also, in my opinion, it has less diversity than the previous one. I prefer ADVENTURES.He also changed the line-up for this one. GOne are Aynsley Dunbar and John Onder, in came Barry Sparks and Shane Gaalaas. Altough I prefer ADVENTURES..., this does not mean at all that this one here is absolutely great. MIchael shows that his a powerful talent, one of the best of the world, and only his somewhat erratic behavior prevented him from being more known around the world and the general metal / hard rock public."
Another classic
Robert Knowles | Cardiff, Wales, UK | 05/31/2006
(5 out of 5 stars)
"In the arts the term 'classic' refers to a work that you keep on having to come back to because you can never quite get your head around it. Thus, 'classics' are written by the especially gifted who resist cheap pigeon-holing. Schenker is like this - his music is definitely 'hard rock', but beyond that he resists easy categorisation. His works have so much going on in them that there is normally more to hear even after multiple listens. Dreams and Expressions is no exception to this. At first one might think it less immediately impacting than your average instrumental electric guitar album. Many shredders seem able to initially create a momentary 'wow' factor that instantly catches the ear but which then rapidly fades to a 'boredom' factor. It's not like this with Schenker or with Dreams and Expressions. It's more like on first listen a small seed is planted. One is perhaps not blown away but more intrigued. So, one listens again and the seed grows. Getting more interested, the listener listens a third time and the seed starts to grow big time. Soon, one has a whole rain forest to contend with - something that it's hard ever to get bored with. Dreams and Expressions just keeps 'moving on' and changing things before any boredom can set in. I'm still hearing fresh things now after dozons of listens. It's heavy, melodic, eclectic, joyful, technical, and genre-redefining. One does not miss a vocalist, but if a vocalist is required get 'Tales of Rock n Roll' which has some affinities with Dreams and Expressions but with vocal parts added. Both albums are classics from the world's best rock guitarist. If the average generic shredder seeks to make an IMpression (which presupposes only vanity), Schenker definitely seeks to create an EXpression (which presupposes the whole richness of what it means to be a human being at the same time as risking rejection through not playing the game of simply 'trying to impress'). So, Dreams and Expressions is very aptly named."
Stunning.
PATHERSON | 03/09/2001
(5 out of 5 stars)
"Every time I think Michael Schenker just can't get anybetter...he does. Although he will probably never surpass ... , as Iget older I have less use for childish lyrics and screaming so I'mdelighted to hear him just play. And oh, can he play! What makesthis guy different from the other shredders is his sense of MELODY.His doubled tracks sound more like ... than some speed metal moron.This time, he's worked in some beautiful accoustic guitar as well.The idea of having 20 short pieces is great; it shows a lot of hisideas (admittedly some are similar but hey, he ain't .... ...you canpick your 10 favorites and you still have a half hour of breathtaking,thrilling rock guitar. Despite his absolutely flawless techniquethis isn't an album about showing off. Its not about tapping, orsweep picking or ... playing scales. Its just a guy who cando all these things--and "set them to music" as they used tosay."