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What’s the 4-1-1?
Somewhere between recording the new Soul SirkUS album (read
CD review) and
touring with Journey, guitarist Neal Schon found the time to lay down another
solo
album.
Genre
Melodic rock / instrumental / progressive
The Good
I like how Schon can implant an image or vision with his guitar playing. “Blue
Passion” elicits the feeling of taking flight and coasting through a vast
blue sky. Neal leans toward the melodic side of soloing here, but shreds when
the time is right. “I On U” has a futuristic feel to it with its
cosmic keyboard tones and fluid guitar work. “Timeless Motion” has
hints of a techno background mixed with some lucid piano. “The Chamber” relies
heavily on electronic percussive effects. It has a real soulful feel to it. Is
that turntable scratching I hear?
“Burning Bridges” is one of the
more up-tempo tracks and one of the few that utilize a riff, rather than the
single note soloing that Schon uses through most of the album. As the song nears
its conclusion, Neal lays down some really unique sounds. You can hear a Middle
Eastern influence on “It Can Happen” with its guitar tone, chimes,
and style. You can practically feel the passion and emotion coming out of Neal’s
head by way of his fingers on the ballad “Father”.
The Bad
It’s not really that bad, but I would have liked it if Schon mixed up his
guitar tone a little more.
The Verdict
Neal Schon explores his melodic side with I On U. It may not be what you’re
used to hearing from him, but as with all Neal Schon side projects, you really
can’t go wrong.
Did You Know?
Rating:  out
of 5
Related Reviews:
Soul SirkUs - World Play
--George Dionne
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NEAL
SCHON
