The musical highlights from the world of guitar are included in the weekly report. Every seven days, we bring you a collection of songs from across the guitar universe, all with one thing in common: our favorite instrument plays a starring role.
Which is it? The bass and drums duo is made up of two brothers. Their dad is the same as them. The fact that there isn’t a guitar on show makes this a tricky inclusion, but there was either some six- string action in the studio or some pitch shifting tricks, so we’ll allow it.
Their gnarly fuzz riffs are the order of the day and they’re delivered with fury and precision. There will be big things when Once Bit Never Bored is released.
Josh Homme will be kicking himself for missing the kind of hook that comes just after the two minute mark on The Middle.
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For fans of Haggard Cat.
Michael Astley- Brown.
Laura Cox – One Big Mess
Which is it? Laura Cox has not released a full-length album since Burning Bright. Cox is pictured on the cover of One Big Mess with a guitar in his hand.
It’s not clear whether she used that guitar in particular for the track, but she definitely went to town on it. One Big Mess knocks the wind out of you and gets kicked into fifth gear before you can get settled, and what follows is four minutes of loud rock action.
The opening act is very well executed. When the noodles come out of the blue, the sense of security is quickly lost. A brilliant way to get people to listen again after a long time.
For fans of Jane Lee Hooker.
The man is Matt Owen.
Alyssa Day – Dread & Dream
Which is it? The debut solo single from a Mindscar guitarist. One of the most memorable electric guitar tracks of the year to date, Dread & Dream is full of knockout lead antics, including gravity-defying sweeps, swift alternate picking runs and so much more.
Day showcased Jackson’s new California-made American Series SoloistSL3 while an actual snake tried to kill her, but to no avail.
It is difficult to choose one moment that shines above the rest in a five-and-a-half-minute track. The solo that starts at 4:00 is complex and plays with great skill.
Joe Satriani is a fan of Steve Vai.
The person is SamRoche.
Chris Shiflett – Born & Raised
Which is it? It isn’t a cover of John Mayer’s track, but a new composition from Foo Fighters and Chris Shiflett. The guitarist is free to do what he does best: play some seriously sick guitar lines.
The sporadic supportive licks that harness a none-more-country vibe weave throughout the track very nicely, adding an additional layer to Shiflett’s sonic tapestry before concluding as a quick-fire solo at the 1:40 mark. The lead performance was very good.
For fans of Brad Paisley and others.
The man is Matt Owen.
Tropical Gothclub – Double Blind
Which is it? Dean Fertita is best known for his work with Queens of the Stone Age, The Dead Weather and The Raconteurs. Double Blind is as dreamy and weird as the name suggests.
The laid-back vibe of the track suggests Fertita’s forthcoming full-length will be an eclectic affair.
A great example of Fertita’s unique personality is his hammer-on/ pull-off leads in the middle section.
Fans of Queens of the Stone Age and The Dead Weather are welcome.
Michael Astley- Brown.
Morgan Reid – Djinn & Juice
Which is it? Terran is the third single from up-and-coming shred guitarist MorganReid. The Toronto-born virtuoso, who also plays guitar in English death metal outfit Bloodshot Dawn, serves a clutch of highly catchy pull off licks over a bed of rhythmic riffs, before tapping into the fretboard’s upper register for a selection.
While not immediately apparent, the rhythm section of Djinn & Juice shows a resemblance to earlygangsta rap. He says that the similarities between rap and metal are still present in his musical heritage.
From the 2:50 mark, the track shifts into an even higher gear, with everything from effortless descending legato runs and frenetic alternate picking passages to incredibly melodic multi- string two-handed tapping.
The person is SamRoche.
Mother Vulture – Homemaker
Which is it? Do you like large riffs? Is it furnished with a side of scuzzy orange tones? Are you interested in an earworm chorus dip? It is a tall order, but UK blues-punk merchants Mother Vulture have dispatched new single Homemaker directly to your ears, and we are confident you will be satisfied. Don’t forget to tip!
One of this year’s chonkiest tones can be heard in the opening fuzz piece by guitarist Brodie Maguire. No, that’s right.
Michael Astley- Brown.
Willow – curious/furious
She had plenty of doubters when she first embarked on her guitar quest, but now she is proving she has both the chops and songwriting maturity to justify the career change.
Point in case is curious, the latest single from her upcoming album, which continues her trajectory from R&B star to guitar hero in flawless fashion. It has all the hallmarks of a great willow track: razor-like gain tones with enough power to singe your eyebrows and an awesome outro lead line.
We were tempted by the chorus action, but it has to be the outro solo, which closes out the track in style and has a lot of attitude.
For fans of Girl in Red.
The man is Matt Owen.
Bush – Heavy is the Ocean
Which is it? A track from Bush’s ninth album, The Art of Survival, which is due out later this year. Heavy is the Ocean sounds like a series of wave-like waves, shifting between its massive riffs and more subdued, clean- guitar-inspired verse.
Chris Traynor offers a simple but effective solo from the 3:20 mark, crafted as an instrumental extension ofGavin Rossdale’s vocals.
For fans of Alice in Chains.
The person is SamRoche.