Songs of Sanity [Import]

John5 | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (March 30, 2006)
• Number of Discs: 1
• Format: Import
• Label: Mascot
• ASIN: B000A87WOE
• In-Print Editions: Audio CD
• Average Customer Review: 4.3 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (20 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #702,951 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Track Listings

1. Damaged

2. Soul of a Robot

3. Gein with Envy

4. Sin

5. Behind the Nut Love

6. Blues Balls

7. Fiddler's

8. Gods and Monsters

9. 2 Die 4

10. Death Valley

11. Perineum

12. Denouement

Editorial Reviews

John 5 came to the Shrapnel label after creating a worldwide following as a widely respected guitarist before taking his notoriety to the next level with the release of "Vertigo", an album that many guitar fans described as "the guitar album of the new millennium". John 5’s eclectic influences combine for a truly unique guitar oriented record that once again sets new standards in the genre. John 5 offers a fresh approach to guitar instrumental music on his new CD which features a guest guitar solo from legendary guitarists Steve Vai and Albert Lee --This text refers to an alternate Audio CD edition.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

8 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Guitar fans rejoice, October 23, 2005

By 

Murat Batmaz (Istanbul, Turkey) - See all my reviews
(TOP 1000 REVIEWER)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Songs for Sanity (Audio CD)

A quick listen of John 5's Songs for Sanity is bound to suggest that his previous collaborations with artists such as David Lee Roth, Marilyn Manson, Rob Halford, Rob Zombie, and John Wetton to name a few were certainly quite limiting given his talents presented on his solo albums. John Lowery goes under the name John 5 and Songs for Sanity is his second solo output after the critically acclaimed Vertigo.

This is an entirely instrumental release with the exception of some spoken parts in a song or two or a funny appearance of a singer who attemps to sing in a reggae style on "Gods and Monsters", one of the more atmospheric and laid-back tunes with electronic drum beats and synth work, fuzzy guitar sounds, and eventually a challenging lead solo that is rather impressive. The first half of the album is decidedly more shred-oriented; manic sweeps fill "Damaged", the album opener, together with heavy as hell rhythms and a bluesy guitar tone utilising Morse-like picking. Over-dubbed guitar lines duel with each other, leaving the non-Manson fan speechless when it comes to John 5's amazing skill in his instrument. Fast (and I mean really fast!) tapping licks open "Soul of a Robot", littered with killer vibrato work that is generated by an almost robotic proficiency. The song delves into classic rock territory but is carried out in a very Steve Vai-like playfulness, producing weird soundscapes. John 5 then explores some bluegrass meets country on "Gein with Envy", a bit similar to the stuff on String Cheese Incident's last album, and immediately launches into his first atmospheric track, the moody "Sin". Modern sounds emerge recalling his past with Manson and his recent stint with Rob Zombie. However, all of it is put aside with the arrival of an impossibly fast shred guitar that then is again replaced by an atmospheric break allowing the drums to shine. The whammy bar usage at the end is a bit excessive and overtly Steve Vai influenced, but I'm sure the average guitar fan will love it.

The "Blues Balls" title is self-explanatory, enriched with echoic organ sounds floating about in the background layered by classic rock guitar melodies. From here on, the album develops a more cinematic feel starting with "Fiddler's" which begins with a tongue-in-cheek commentary about the singer in HIM, and John says he prefers guitar shred and showcases his frenzied instrumental prowess. "2 Die 4" is the darkest cut, with sporadic acoustic guitars and weird sound effects that would make for a great horror movie soundtrack. "Death Valley" is another classic rock tune, except that it begins with a woman giving directions with car horns and heavy traffic heard in the background. Finally John 5 meets Steve Vai, undoubtedly one his main inspirations, on "Perineum", and the two guitarists shred each other out, exchanging solo spots and then doing unison solos. The song marries modern production with classic guitar virtuoso and never fails to borrow Vai's mystical guitar tones along the way. It ends with a long ambient section bleeding into "Denouement", another atmospheric piece that closes the album on a very frantic speed solo note. Once again the whammy bar at the end goes a bit excessive for my likes, but other than that this is quite possibly the most melody-friendly song on the album.

Give Songs for Sanity a listen and discover an amazingly talented guitar player. Granted his songwriting and guitar tone may not be everyone's taste, he is impeccably skilled when it comes to guitar playing and combining it with fun and energy.

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Impressive, October 18, 2005

By 

Draven (Byram, NJ USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Songs for Sanity (Audio CD)

Well, I'm going to get things straight. I hate Marilyn Manson. He doesn't have anything on Alice Cooper despite what the uneducated youth may say (I listened to all of Marilyn Manson's CDs and Alice Cooper's CDs too). I have a friend who is a big fan of Marilyn Manson however. Though, nothing on his albums really stood out to me. So, when my friend finally bought John 5's solo CD and was flipping out after hearing it...I just figured it was more hype. I was wrong to judge before hearing the CD. I listened to the CD and found myself enjoying song after song. I'm now a fan of John 5's solo CDs and hope he releases more. Marilyn Manson really held back this talented guitarist.

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars WOW!, September 22, 2005

By 

Homer "Metal Lives" (Albuquerque, NM) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Songs for Sanity (Audio CD)

This album is such an awesome piece of work. The guitar playing is just amazing. The styles John-5 plays are just so varied, from heavy metal, "Damaged" to more of a rock feel loaded with effects "Soul of A Robot" to all out bluegrass type country "Gein With Envy". The solos on every song just make you want to pick up your guitar. Also unlike most guitar instrumental albums, this is very enjoyable to listen to and has some very catchy songs. Also the drums aren't the usual snare only nightmare that are on other guitar albums. There is some pretty good double bass drum action in some songs. Also check out "Death Valley" John-5 got Albert Lee to play on it. Also the amazing Steve Vai makes an appearance on "Perineum", the song is great, you hear John-5 and Steve Vai trade off on solos, that's enough incentive for me to buy a CD!