Search - Reeves Gabrels :: Rockonica

FINALLY, the wait is over...

www.JasonDavisMusic.com | Dallas/FortWorth, TX | 03/08/2005

(5 out of 5 stars)

"This release has finally seen the light of day after 2-3 years of promise, but it is well worth it. As Michael Molenda from Guitar Player Magazine put it, Reeves is certainly a 21st century guitar hero. What is interesting about this release is that it is quite different from his work with Bowie as well as his other studio releases. Gone are the whammy bar tricks, pitch shifting via a Whammy pedal or Roland VG8, and other-worldly sounds. What replaces them is quite simply burning rock guitar at its finest! Those that have the reevesgabrels.com release "Live...Late...Loud..." will know what to expect from "Rockonica" as it is primarily his live band jamming as rock was intended: live and loud (thus, the name of his last release). And I find the nature of the recording quite interesting as it was intended to be his live band playing in a small room blaring down 2 stereo microphones (with overdubs later). Thus, they captured the raw nature of a live band and the ability to improvise at a moment's notice.



The music itself has more of a classic rock vibe than his other studio releases, and his vocal performances are much stronger than in the past. Highlights for me are "The Conversation" (which was originally to be released as a bonus track from the "Ulysses" sessions...given that disc's electronic bent, I wonder how it would have turned out at that time), "Tunnel", "Long Day" and "Uphill Both Ways". Many of the songs have an admittedly Mountain (the band) vibe, and it certainly shows. That is not to say, however, that the music isn't original as it is blatantly Reeves' idiosyncratic songwriting and guitar stylings that drive these tracks and makes them stand out as something you may have heard before but have never experienced at the same time.



A given is Reeves' guitar playing. One can only wish that they possessed his creativity, melodic bent, and sheer technical ability. Simply put: Reeves' guitar playing will blow you away and leave you speechless. It's no wonder Brad Milkowski stated that Reeves is the Master of the Universe. I challenge anyone to disprove it.



It's refreshing to hear guitar solos and passionate music again in today's musical climate. It's been said that Reeves deserves Justin Timberlake-like fame. We could only hope that this would be the case."

Walking the line

twangmon | Nashville, TN USA | 04/09/2005

(4 out of 5 stars)

"Reeves Gabrels walks the line between song structure and wiggy sonics like no one else. His tunes on Rockonica have familiar verse/chorus construction (and are often maddeningly catchy), and his riffs and solos typically possess the contours that define classic rock. But bubbling and roiling under and around this foundation are layers of eerie, broken sounds and oddball textures. And Gabrels isn't shy about juxtaposing genres. For example, "Underneath" ends with a trippy mélange of Wheels of Fire-era Clapton licks, acoustic Delta blues riffs, and fluttering, guitar-generated helicopter sounds. The album careens from jangly acoustic picking to brutally distorted riffage, and includes enough insane sustain and howling harmonics -- courtesy of Gabrels' Sustainer-equipped signature-model Fernandes -- to satisfy diehard guitar geeks. Anyone seeking the predictable, manicured shred served up by some of Gabrels' label mates won't find it in the edgy, often ominous Rockonica. But if you're drawn to bold, unexpected colors -- and the notion that the guitar is a fabulous tone generator, rather than a sharp tool for delivering speedy scale passages -- you'll dig this journey into Gabrels' seething psyche. In "Continue," he sings "Let me bend your ear and your mind a little too." No kidding."

A solid 70s-esque progressive rock album

George Dionne | Cape Cod, MA | 04/04/2005

(4 out of 5 stars)

"The Good

"Sign of God" employs a repetitive, twangy guitar riff to draw you in. Gabriel delivers his vocals similar to the trippy, psychedelic style that was used a lot in the seventies. The songs groove is captivating. "Leper" uses ominous organ tones that mix well with the funky guitar riffs. This time the vocals are deeper and echoed. The riff on "Underneath" is a pure hard rock riff if I've ever heard one. Five minutes through, Gabrels switches gears with an acoustic breakdown that's concludes with blues style soloing.



The ten minute opus "Anywhere (She Is)" starts off subtle, builds to a frantic guitar explosion, and ends with some swampy guitar rock. "Continue" is a fast paced track with plenty of chugga-chugga riffing and confident vocals. The instrumental "13th Hour" paints a calming picture of how quite and calm the night can be with its moving acoustic guitar tones.



The Bad

Nothing



The Verdict

Rockonica is a solid 70s-esque progressive rock album. Thank God we still have guys like Reeves keeping that classic sound alive.



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