Customer Reviews

Chromaticity

5 star:		(9)
4 star:		(3)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(2)
1 star:		(2)

 

 

I'm a big fan of most of Macalpine's work, and when I first listened to this one, I kind of got the "blah" feeling that other reviewers allude to. I put the CD away and listened again after a couple months, and all the tunes somehow clicked in my head. I love it when a CD can do that!

After quite a bit of listening, I still think this album sits in the shadow of "Edge of Insanity", "Maximum Security", and "Premonition". However, the compositions are solid, with the expected wicked guitar shred that underlies Macalpine's reputation. Steve Smith (of Journey fame) returns to the band and performs some killer drumming, and in some songs Macalpine does some excellent sounding keyboard shredding. "Avenger" is easily my favorite song on this album - it has a totally rocking rhythm with excellent keyboard leads. One of the best Macalpine songs ever, in my opinion.

I didn't notice any really weak songs on the album either, which is always a good thing. However, the last song, a Chopin etude, is probably superfluous. He's already played all the killer etudes on other albums! I'd prefer another one of Tony's songs instead.

To me, if you're a Macalpine fan you'll enjoy this one, even if you don't feel it's his best album. Those new to Tony Macalpine would probably be best advised to first check out the three aforementioned albums.

I don't know what some of these guys are talking about. This is not just another ho-hum instrumental album. Every song is different and shows Tony's versatility. It seems like the negative reviews always come from the guys that can't play this kind of stuff, mainly because they're too lazy to push themselves to a higher level where you can really take pride in your technical ability. I've been playing for 22 years now and have been listening to Tony since the mid 80's. It took me a long time to develop my technical ability, but I owe it to guitarists like Tony MacAlpine. This is a great album and worth every penny!!

This album rivals any of the best of Tony's works - say, Maximum Security and Premonition, among others. Not merely repeating these masterpeices' ideas, and yet still utilizing trademark Macalpinisms - yes, the blistering arppegioes, the furious rhythms and chord changes, the incredible legato, the profound melodic sense, and so on - this album nonetheless reveals new sounds, compositional approaches, keyboard and guitar techniques and styles, and numerous other things simply unheard of on other Macalpine albums. Also, superb production give this album a magnificently, dare I say, polished, even refined sound, although Tony's feeling still speaks clearly through his tone. " Prince of Light," " City Beneath the Sea," and " Isis," for instance, melodically dazzle and are virtually classics of Tony's music. Other songs are for those not faint of heart, songs like " Digitalis Destructi, " " Eye of the Soul, " " Christmas Island, " and " Still Valley " are strongly melodioc, though much heavier and (super-) technically demanding and complex(very, in some cases) compositions. Steve Smith (Vital Information), who, incidnetally, played some of his best work (along with extraordinary bassist, Barry Sparks) said that the Chromaticity's music was " brilliant and challenging. " Stylistically, the album is not neoclassical. Instead, it combines jazz fusion and instrumental hard rock with a some neoclassical brushstrokes( Reading a few of the preceding reviews, I have to right the record, here. From age 5, Tony has been a classically trained and experienced pianist with an extensive musical education, ranking him among the most schooled musicians in hard-rock, and this influence understanably shows in his virtuosity. The harmonic and melodic sense he gained early in his life has simply evolved, making him a truly amazing musician/composer. As such, to characterise him as the ' usual ' neoclassical player - or for that matter as exclusively a neo classical player - is ludicrous, if not mean-spirited, oversimplification).
If you enjoy virtuosic instrumental records and, especially, if you like Tony, this is a must-buy album, to say the least.

Being a pure Shred/Guitar Junkie, I listen to everyone and Tony has more to offer the listener on this CD, than some players offer in their complete discography. It doesn't get much better than this. Tony is as innovative on this album as he has been in years. His Song writing mixed with his POWERFUL command of Harmony and GUITAR Technique make this a must hear for every shred/Neo FAN. And Not One VOCAL Track, (Thanks Tony). As you listen to this you'll be saying, "What could possibly be next?".

Easily T-Mac's best album in terms of composition; listening in onto every tune gives you an idea on where this guy stands when compared to all other instrumental guitar players. I've been following this guy since the late 80's and believe me he's grown, matured and evolved into easily the most versatile guitarist out there; just think of all the work he's been putting out lately (Cab, Planet X, Vai, Ring of Fire); that's fusion, jazz, rock, prog-rock, prog-metal, power metal, neoclassical rock, etc... all this by the same person, and sounding pretty comfortable at each style I might add!

This album is a perfect example of how far both his playing and composition have come since those early days,(although when compared to other contemporary recordings, his first 2 instrumental works seem fairly groundbreaking).You will notice that his playing with such greats like: vai, sherinian, donati, brunel, auger, steve smith, chambers; has really paid off. These new experiences have influenced in his playing and in his approach towards music and sound.

This album is a must have for every fan of his earlier work, as well as for those of you who are discovering this magnificent and outstanding musician; believe me you'll love T-Mac's music when you've listened to this album,as much as I do!

Tony continues his winning ways with melody and arrangement. This disc continues the sonic explorations of recent albums Premonition and Evolution.

A little more hard-edged and futuristic than the jammin' good times of Evolution. A little warmer to my ears than Premonition.

Takes a few listens to grow on you -- you need to get past that early "judgmental" phase and just enjoy what's there. Then watch out!

Several tunes are standouts, with the emphasis more on an overall group sound, kind of a Return To Forever for the 21st Century. Not so much a shred-a-thon -- but then again, just as I was thinking that, in the middle of # 6 Prince Of Light it's like Tony heard me because he just FREAKS OUT in that one!

# 3 City Beneath The Sea is a GORGEOUS tune, a well-grooved ballad, that could as easily have been penned by MacAlpine or Satriani.

Piano feature included on disc is one of Tony's best -- to anyone new to MacAlpine, the remarkable thing is that he's one of the few -- one of the only? -- musicians who regularly plays and records at the VIRTUOSO level on both guitar and keyboard.

So 4, maybe 4 1/2 stars. This album will surely get many listens, as always, from devoted fans. Newbies would probably be more blown away by his enduring classics Maximum Security and Edge of Insanity, two of the purest examples of jaw-dropping instrumental skill to ever be etched into immortality.

If you're wondering whether to get this album or Vinnie Moore's latest: That's easy -- buy both!

Tony MacAlpine shows the way to the new Millenium. Back in the '80's he released one of the best instrumental albums of all times (Maximum Security),he did the same thing in the '90's (Premonition) and it seems that the "killer" strikes back with one more historical album. If you don't listen to this album you can't ever believe how good it is. Tony mixes progressive/fusion/rock/neoclassical and classical music. This album is just amazing. You will find songs that will blow your mind out. The sound is perfect. Steve Smith is at his best and so does Barry Sparks. It would be a shame to miss one of the best instrumental cd's ever released.

This CD really smokes! These guys are playing some incredible stuff here. It is nice that they incorporated moments of Genesis-y style melodys spliced in with the intense attack of furious fusion. Brilliant and groundbreaking! This stuff is never old or boring, just timeless. Tony MacAlpine is on equal ground with Vai, Satriani, Morse, Petrucci, etc. This CD proves it. Also check out the CAB CDs, they are well worth the money. If you are a fan of Niacin and Dennis Chambers drumming, try theCAB stuff (also with MacAlpine on guitar).

Wow, this album is awesome, not only because it give us more of that Macalpine sound we love so much but bacause it goes farther and deeper in many aspects. This albums shows us a more mature musician, full of energy, dinamism, style, passion and personality, and all of that on a guitar. An excellent album, recommended. Get it now.

MacAlpine has got to be one of the most talented musicians out there as well as one of the most underrated shredders around. Lots of technical fretboard wizardry and classical influenced lines. Of course, he also includes one piano track to show off his keyboard skills. Like instrumental electric guitar? If so, you'll probably enjoy this.