Customer Reviews

What's Next

5 star:		(17)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(2)
1 star:		(2)

 

 

...and easily one of the Top 10 greatest rock guitar albums ever recorded.

I had to weigh "What's Next" against the "Mahogany Rush IV" album as Frank's best because the latter is nearly as good (but in a very different style.) "What's Next" narrowly wins because everything on this album came together flawlessly:
Every song is just great; the production is world-class and simply the best Frank has ever done before or since; his vocals, which (like those of many other guitar-slingers) have never been his strong suit, are exceptionally strong here and perfectly suited for the over-the-top intensity of the material; and the three cover tunes - "Roadhouse Blues," "Rock Me Baby," and "Mona" - are perfect selections to compliment Marino's and are done so powerfully they fairly eclipse the originals.

But overall, the thing that really pushes "What's Next" into 'instant classic' territory is its incredible sense of upbeat, no-compromise, pedal-to-the-metal determination that forms its backbone. It starts with Frank's shout of "Yeah!" at the beginning of track one ("You Got Livin'"), climbs to a heady crescendo in "Something Is Coming Our Way," and doesn't let up until the final tag of "Mona".
Marino was in peak form on this album - you get the distinct impression that he was having a blast recording it - and the result sounds like one of those rare, single-take live sets that succeed in capturing fully the intensity of a concert (e.g. Eric Johnson's "Alien Love Child," Hellborg/Lane/Sipe's "Time Is The Enemy," or UFO's "Strangers In The Night".)

A couple of specific notes:
The harmonica in "Roadhouse Blues" is a perfect addition to the mix - Jim Zeller's playing is brilliant and gutsy and breathes new life into the tune;
The wah pedal is perhaps the single most widely-misused guitar effect in existence, but the point roughly 3/4 into "Something Is Coming Our Way" where Frank kicks in the wah is absolutely sublime. It's like an unspoken order to other guitarists to just throw their wah pedals on the scrap heap.
That track alone is ample reason to get this disc, but that's definitely not a statement to downplay the others - "What's Next" is top-notch from start to finish.

Awesome album; HORRIBLE mix

I'm a fan from way back, and I love What's Next, but Black Rose records put out a criminally mixed release this CD. It is so distorted with such clipping and bad levels, that it actually, physically hurts my ears. Keep your old albums/tapes of this material until some other company comes out with a new release of it.

Whilst the musical content can't be surpassed the audio quality sucks.The CD I acquired was released on Black Rose records and it was lifted from vinyl which had seen better days.Harsh top end that reminded me why many crossed to CD.Unless they re-release with material from the master tapes avoid like the plague.

This first time I heard this record was when I was a young kid walking into a music store. I was absolutely mesmerized by it!! To this day, I don't think I've heard a record that is as powerful and ballsy as What's Next! The guitar playing is out-of-this-world and the sound is huge!! Every track on this album is a killer. While the sound is heavy and the guitar playing is "all-out", Marino shows a huge diversity throughout, ranging from George Benson-esc jazz licks, to beautiful blues playing. The rhythm section also smokes. Paul Harwood, on bass, and Jim Ayoub, on drums, are two of rocks finest (though highly unrecognized) players. The Mahogany Rush live show from this era was absolutely out-of-this world. I've seen about a million rock shows in my lifetime, and the show that I saw on the "What's Next" tour remains to this day as one of the best experiences of my life. I was absolutely blown away!! You've gotta have this one!!

This is a must have for any fan of the electric guitar. Its really sad that Frank and his band haven't gotten recognition from the music critics and other musicians. This is a hugely inspiring CD, especially if you are a guitar player. While I think this is probably his best recording, you really can't go wrong with any of Frank's CDs. Buy it, Kiddies!

When the album came out in 1980 I was excited, because all of Mahogany Rush material was great. This cd was just the pinnacle of Franks' playing. The first 4 songs are the best side of an album ever made. "You Got Livin'", "Finish Line" and especially "Somethings Coming Our Way" has the best soloing you are ever going to hear. Please do yourself a favor and get this cd now! Frank Marino deserves to be heard!

Almost as good as his "The Power Of R 'N' R" album. Really outstanding guitar playing, a must for every (heavy metal) guitar fan. If you have every doubted who is one of the best guitar players in the world, put this album on and play it loud! Actually 4,5 stars rated for this album is more realistic, check it out yourself.

What's Next is a roaring masterpiece of multifaceted shred guitar from beginning to end. Unlike many modern shredders, Marino draws from a rich musical palette. Marino's jazzy riffing takes "Finish Line" in an unexpected direction. "Something Is Coming Our Way" is a maelstrom of stunning guitar work. The centerpiece of the CD is "Loved By You", a stunning metallic blues that is a tour-de-force of speed, sound, and soul. Overall, this is gloriously excessive work by an underappreciated musician.

This is an awesome album of guitar heroics.If you like powerful,technically brilliant but soulful rock/blues and you've never heard of Frank Marino then you don't know what you're missing.Catch him live if you can , you won't believe your ears!This album smokes from beginning to end . It includes 5 Marino originals-with the stunning "Something's Comin' Our Way" showcasing lead lines that defie belief and take you spiralling up into guitar heaven-plus 3 great covers .Listen to the power,tone,speed,finesse and imagination of the man ,reflect on the fact that he was just 25 at the time ...and weep!!AWESOME!!!

It is a pity that Frank Marino hasn't received the fame and attention he deserves. He ranks way up there with other guitar gods like Jimi Hendrix. I first heard this album back in 1980 and it just blew me away. It really deserves 10 stars.