Customer Reviews

Loudspeaker

5 star:		(12)
4 star:		(3)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

A lot of guitarists release instrumental music that displays technical prowess and speed but lacks melody. That ain't the case here. "Loudspeaker" is a heavy, forceful, metal influenced instrumental guitar album with melody (there are some vocals on one tune).

"Elixir" blasts forth with abundant energy, an in your face slamming quality that continues throughout the entire disc. Marty's chops are all over the place and he goes all out with lots of overdubbed guitar parts that create a thick beefy sound. Many songs segue into each other effortlessly so it's like listening to one 47-minute tune. Marty gets a little help from guest guitarists Steve Vai and John Petrucci. Ryuichi Nishida, Jeremy Colson, and Tetsu Mukaiyama handle the drumming. Billy Sheehan, Masaki, Marty, Mick Karn and Ikuo manage the bottom end, Jens Johanssen plays keys, and Geri Soriano-Lightwood sings on one tune. Great disc if you like heavy melodic instrumental music.

Marty has totaly spoiled music for me now. I can't stop listening to Loudspeaker. I have Dragon's kiss, and perpetual Burn by Jason, return to Metalopolis by Chris Poland, Some Vai, Some Macalpine which i love one and all, but loudspeaker is so powerful, and beautiful, I can't decide which track I like best.
I love instrmental metal. Who compares? Where can I find more like this? not jazz (Ohm), or even rock instrumental (Vai), But Heavy metal (without the cheesey cookie-monster vocals). Help!

Marty Friedman never ceases to amaze me at his guitar work. This disc is a far cry from "Speeding".... alot faster and heavier and loaded with in your face riffs and solos. Marty continues to be one of the premier guitar virtuosos of the last 20 years. Havent heard this kind of shredding since Cacophony. This just came out but I already cant wait for the next one! \m/
CHECK THIS OUT IF YOU LOVED LOUDSPEAKER:

Speed Metal Symphony

Marty Friedman, Megadeth's "hired gun", and yin to Dave Mustaine's yang, has always seemed to lack the respect he deserves here in the states. Despite contributing some of the most cutting-edge, technical guitar work ever written to several Megadeth albums ("Rust In Peace", in particular, is widely regarded as one of the most progressive metal albums ever recorded), he is more or less unknown.

After becoming an expatriate and moving to Japan, where he now resides, he became more involved in sound production and J-Pop and moved away from his association with heavy metal.Fortunately for us, Marty Friedman has since blown the dust off of his guitar and blessed us with his prodigious talents on instrumental releases, many of which are available here in the states.

Although in-your-face at times, "Loudspeaker" benefits from Friedman's deft touch and exotic sensibilities, and as such can not really be called a metal album in the traditional sense. I suppose I would refer to it as smart prog rock, with challenging rhythmic tendencies that avoid many of the cliche's of instrumental guitar albums, and featuring his trademark lighting-fast flourishes and impossibly fluid soloing technique. This album reveals layer upon layer over time, like many good progressive albums do. Also featuring an all-star lineup of other great players, the feel of this album actually reminds me of the avant-garde post-modern style of Buckethead. Recommended!

Well, I can't decide which I like better, Music for Speeding, or Loudspeaker, but I might lean towards Loudspeaker! Every song is awesome, the production is AMAZING, and as usual, Marty Friedman dazzles with his incredible guitar playing. Marty's signature voice is definitely heard throughout the album, giving us a combination of American and European shred, Japanese voice nuances, and exotic note choices.

Overall, BUY THIS ALBUM.

In case you missed it...

BUY THIS ALBUM.

Marty's just brilliant, hes such an underrated guitar player, thats why he left to japan...he gets all the credit he deserves there...this album is pretty heavy with the exception of 2 or 3 songs, and one of them has some spanish samples, kinda like the ones he usually uses in japanese, and thats just a plus 'cause Im from Peru...the melodies are great, he has the best feeling ever, and some crazy riffs too! so buy it you wont regret...

Take your lame self and lock yourself in a room, and listen to this cd, and then feel free to hang yourself after realizing just how sadly you rank in. Or maybe drown in your vomit. Anyway, this album makes most heavy metal (and always rap) I heard this year sound drab and uninspired in comparison. There's no substitution for talent....

This is a killer example of Marty Friedman. A little heavier than his last few, this CD has shades of his Cacophony years with his trademark melody style. Like all Marty's music, the more I listen to it the better it gets. A must have for any guitar fan.

Just got this the other day and listened to it 3 or 4 times. This is some of Marty's best work. Sounds like a hybrid of Music for Speeding and Dragon's Kiss. Stellar group of guest performances by Billy Sheehan, John Petrucci, Jens Johanson and Steve Vai. The songs are pretty diverse and keep you entertained from beginning to end. Marty's J-pop influence continues to grow making the tunes catchy, but it has some heavy rhythm giving it the edge it needs. Highly recommend this one!

I've had this album for a while now and I can say I can listen to this one straight through and enjoy each song. I haven't enjoyed an album from him this much since "Scenes".

"Devil Take Tomorrow" was the first one to really hit me. Powerful, beautiful, heartfelt and in its own way a reminder that life is good.

The rest of the album is hard hitting but refined. Hair on fire shredding but melodic.

Highly recommended