Enjoyable
K. E. Loucks | Columbus, OH USA | 09/23/2004
(3 out of 5 stars)
"Sometimes I feel that Preston Reed has painted himself into a corner. His physical technique in playing the guitar is masterful, a combination of two-handed fingerboard work and percussive picking and slapping and tapping the entire instrument. The problem is that these kinds of mechanics-based playing styles often become so mechanical they work against melodicism, and ironically, his most engaging compositional skills are in the creation of melodies. His embrace of the flashy technical style works against his strength.
"Border Towns" is my favorite of Reed's early-90's releases. Working with percussionist Alex Acuna and bassist John Pena means he busies himself less with filling in the effects and makes him more available for the melodies."