Consistent Variation

Rob Eberhard Young | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (March 1, 2004)
• Original Release Date: March 1, 2004
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: Young Brave Music
• ASIN: B0001LAR2E
• In-Print Editions: MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #529,398 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Editorial Reviews

Acoustic Guitar

"His music explores soundscapes and moody textures, but with an underlying rock’n’roll attitude, with intense tone and technique."

Product Description

While playing a sold-out rock show at a big club in Boston in 1993, it suddenly hit me how completely unfulfilled I felt as a musician. The electric guitar had captivated me for nearly 15 years, but that was about to change. The next day I came across a street musician named Ned Landin who played acoustic guitar in an incredibly powerful way that completely leveled me. That was it. I went home, put the Strat in the closet, grabbed my old acoustic, and fell in love. CONSISTENT VARIATION was formed over the next two weeks, lying on the floor in my apartment with the lights off, tuning the guitar weird, and just exploring. It was the most amazing feeling of freedom. For the first time, I wasn’t composing by knowledge. I had absolutely no idea what I was playing or why. I just played what felt good. Friends convinced me to record some of the stuff I was playing and release it, so I set up my 4-track cassette machine and just improvised. The original recording was selling so well locally, I decided to shop it to the top three major instrumental labels to see if I could get any national interest. Much to my surprise, I got offers from all or them and my new career as an acoustic guitarist was born. This is a true, grass-roots recording and this re-issue on CD is completely unaltered. Don’t look for refined composition or creative production values. But if you’re interested in hearing the energy and enthusiasm of my initial raw, unrestrained, and improvisational acoustic explorations — then you just might love it.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

4 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Jaw Dropper, March 20, 2004

By 

"pblauw" (Holland, MI USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Consistent Variation (Audio CD)

This guy can't be from around these parts.

Beyond the average technique, and bland melodies which are all too abundant to the "New Age" musical genre, Rob Eberhard Young has broken the mold and performed the compositions on "Consistent Variation" with no pretense.

It's evident in the first 10 notes, or roughly the first quarter second of the first cut, "Wandering Minds", that this is not your father's "New Age" performer. Not only are the lightning fast notes executed with precision, and power, but one quickly realizes that this music isn't about mindless speed. There is actually something more going on here.

Could it be creative composition? I know it's hard to believe, especially when talking about an essentially solo guitar project, but this music doesn't simply go from boring riff to more boring riff. The circular compositions of lesser acoustic composers never come into play for Young. Instead he seems to always be a step ahead of the listener.

Rob Eberhard Young doesn't seem to know how to take the easy way out. Instead, he seems to be on a quest to not only challenge himself as a player/composer, but challenge the listener to take the ride with him. This is not to say that these compositions are only for the educated guitar snob. Once you get past the initial onslaught, you'll go back to the work as a whole and realize that he puts as much of his soul and joy into the punchy and rythmic "Windsong" as he does the thoughtful and quiet "Jeremy".

In closing, all I can say is there is no reason this guy should still be in the musical shadows. If the same music industry wanks that brought you the likes of Yanni and John Tesch put the same amount of backing behind someone like Young, perhaps they could save a musical genre. I'm not holding my breath, but in the meantime, crank it up. Play it loud enough, and you'll almost be able to hear Rob smile.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Jaw Dropper, March 20, 2004

By 

"pblauw" (Holland, MI USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Consistent Variation (Audio CD)

This guy can't be from around these parts.

Beyond the average technique, and bland melodies which are all too abundant to the "New Age" musical genre, Rob Eberhard Young has broken the mold and performed the compositions on "Consistent Variation" with no pretense.

It's evident in the first 10 notes, or roughly the first quarter second of the first cut, "Wandering Minds", that this is not your father's "New Age" performer. Not only are the lightning fast notes executed with precision, and power, but one quickly realizes that this music isn't about mindless speed. There is actually something more going on here.

Could it be creative composition? I know it's hard to believe, especially when talking about an essentially solo guitar project, but this music doesn't simply go from boring riff to more boring riff. The circular compositions of lesser acoustic composers never come into play for Young. Instead he seems to always be a step ahead of the listener.

Rob Eberhard Young doesn't seem to know how to take the easy way out. Instead, he seems to be on a quest to not only challenge himself as a player/composer, but challenge the listener to take the ride with him. This is not to say that these compositions are only for the educated guitar snob. Once you get past the initial onslaught, you'll go back to the work as a whole and realize that he puts as much of his soul and joy into the punchy and rythmic "Windsong" as he does the thoughtful and quiet "Jeremy".

In closing, all I can say is there is no reason this guy should still be in the musical shadows. If the same music industry wanks that brought you the likes of Yanni and John Tesch put the same amount of backing behind someone like Young, perhaps they could save a musical genre. I'm not holding my breath, but in the meantime, crank it up. Play it loud enough and you'll almost be able to hear Rob smile.

5.0 out of 5 stars Inspiring Acoustic, March 20, 2004

By 

J. Ober (Fuquay Varina, NC) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Consistent Variation (Audio CD)

REY re-releases his first album and does not disappoint. One can see how these tunes led into the brilliance of Sticks & Stones. Completely original yet at the same time flavored with touches of Michael Hedges.

Check out the haunting sounds of Jeremy which may be one of the songs that best defines Rob's style. Silence and Perfect Strangers are other notable cuts. The best part is that REY, a former metal guitarist, doesn't try to rely on his old style instead branching out into some great acoustic innovations.

A true original treat for the acoustic guitarist.