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Progressive Rock CD Reviews

Brad Russell

Let’s Hear It!

Review by Gary Hill

While progressive rock might not be the most obvious heading for this, I think it fits. The one central factor to this set is smoking hot bass guitar work. But, unlike some guys who are all about shred whether it fits the song or not, Russell shows that he understands that showmanship works best when it supports some great music. It should be pointed out that the way Russell plays that bass, one might think it's guitar. At times this CD is more along the lines of fusion. Other parts land closer to something from Joe Satriani. Of course, one of those songs that land in that territory features Satriani, so that makes sense. At points it touches heavy metal, too.

This review is available in book format (hardcover and paperback) in Music Street Journal: 2012  Volume 6 at lulu.com/strangesound.

Track by Track Review
Seven Shred

Screaming hot, this is killer guitar dominated fusion. This has several different movements and there’s some killer bass work and drumming, too.

Beat It
This cover is a funky fusion rendition of the classic Michael Jackson cut. It turns pretty heavy at times and is just plain awesome.The bass work is certainly worth referencing, because it gets a showcase bit, too.
Zattack
Joe Satriani guests here. Some seriously crunchy guitar opens this and this screams out like the kind of fusion Black Label Society might do if they were to try some fusion.
Brothers
A demonstration of versatility, this one is much mellower and more pure jazz-like. Still the edge is crunchy. As this rocks out a bit more later, comparisons to Vai or Satriani are appropriate.
Hello Jeff
A killer bass line opens this and they take it out into some melodic fusion from there. There’s a lot of funk in the bass playing here. 
Native Tongue
Melodic fusion is merged with Satriani styled sounds on this number. It’s another that’s smoking hot and really just does a great job of continuing the sounds of the rest of the set. There are some bits that come close to King Crimson styled textures and elements.
 
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