Customer Reviews

Freak Guitar: The Road Less Traveled

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

 

 

Shred has been dead since day one. Wether it's Malmsteen or Vai (who was good when Zappa told him what to do) or... it's been nothing but amazing guitar licks over bad, bad rythm sections. But didn't we all hope that one day those techniques would be used to a more interesting effect? Shawn Lane's work with Hellborg did it, Buckethead did it, and now... Mattias IA Eklundh, killer player. but most importantly he has great taste. This disc is very Zappa inspired and sounds alot like Buckethead, but with tighter compositions and more of a European influence (gypsy scales and what not). Definitely worth picking up, and what a sense of humour. I haven't laughed this much at someones guitar playing (laughed in a good way I mean) since the day's of Danny Gatton. Hellborg has just picked this guy up for some power trio work with Jeff Sipe. I am really looking forward to hearing what they do together.

I had no idea what to expect when I got this CD, except that it was probably going to be crazy instrumental stuff, since it's on Steve Vai's label. In that respect, this CD definitely fills expectations. Mattias has a great command of the instrument, although undoubtedly many people (the same who bash Tom Morello) will think his sense of humor in composition is little more than unfocused noodling. The hyperactive covers of Smoke on the Water and Minor Swing are excellent.

Never have I heard musical "humor" conveyed so well as on this breakthrough album. The production is seamless, and Eklundh's high-level chops are not threatening, that is, his humor and musicality buffer the typical "macho" delivery of shred-guitar playing, and indeed evolves it into, dare I say, ART.

Up until this album, I had been on a steady diet of mainstream rock and metal. Sure I had heard of the likes of Satch and Vai, but I never got around to listening to them. Suffice to say, instrumental guitar music was something I was most definitely NOT familiar with.
This all changed when my Art teacher had me listen to The Road Less Traveled. I was hearing sounds that I never knew were possible. I was hearing music done in a totally different way! Mattias seems like a funny guy to me, and you can hear it in his compositions. Songs like There's No Money in Jazz and One String Solo are hilarious, and Print This is a humorous take on a device many of us are familiar with.
Overall, from this album I learned two important lessons. One is that it is ALWAYS cool to be able to shred, and two is that being a musician doesn't mean you have to be serious. Definitely a good buy for any guitarist looking for a dose of fresh air.

I lived through the origins of the rock era, through Hendrix, Clapton and all the rest but lost interest in most of the lead guitar world when soulless, self indulgent shredding became the norm. This CD hit me from nowhere and left me invigorated in the same way as Zappa's Hot Rats and King Crimson's Court of the Crimson King did when they first came out. The musical "Road Less Travelled" would probably freak out Scott Peck of the book version but open minded guitar lovers will find it both challenging and delightful.

This CD is amazing. It has so much to offer. This guy has a distinct sound, and is a true master of his instrument. Don't buy this expecting the "norm", because Mattias is not trying to be anybody but himself here, and this album is totally in the "experimental" guitar genre. If you love guitar, and love hearing all the possibilities that the instrument has to offer, then definitely add this to your cart. This guy is a genius.

After hearing "There's no Money in Jazz" on Pandora Radio, I was fascinated by Eklundh's fancy for squeaky harmonics and genuinely quirky and fascinating compositions. It's not going to be for everyone, but I can't recommend it enough regardless. It's very experimental (you'll know just how experimental thanks to the fantastic liner notes written by Eklundh providing insight into the creation of each track) yet, except for the very brief electronic intermissions, maintains an undeniable catchiness and groove.

The heavy use of natural harmonics lends the guitar a vocal quality I never knew was possible with the instrument. This is one of the very few instrumental guitar albums that I've heard that truly sets itself apart from the rest as something unmistakably unique. Anyone who isn't afraid of instrumental albums (there is one song with vocals, however) needs to give this album a chance. It's inspiring, silly, heartfelt, and completely insane all at once.

It's simply a great cd, very innovative, if you like the first freak guitar, this is what you have been waiting for.

For those who don't have heard the first cd, or any of the freak kitchen cd's: If you want to hear honest music, without pretentions, buy it.

Mattias its a very kind person, I recently knew him in mexico city, his music it's a reflect of his personality.

A very adverturous and refreshing take on the guitar rock instrumental thing. If you're really into music like CCR and Jim Croce it's probably not for you. If you want something outside of the warm safe confines of the easily accessible, and ever predictable, mainstream try this one. He's heavily Zappa influenced so that should tell you where he's going with his music

This album is so completely different than any other shred guitar album I've listened to. I really don't know what else to say besides I recommend this album to anyone.