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Never underestimate Michael Harris. In glancing
for the first time at the cover art on his latest CD, Sketches
From The Thought Chamber, here's what went through my
mind: "wizard... dungeon... obligatory guitar on the
cover... same Michael Harris heavy metal-stylized logo...
I hope this isn't just more unimaginative sword & sorcery
shred that's been done to death!" Never were more moronic
thoughts conceived. From the first notes of Sketches,
I was reminded that Michael Harris is a serious talent,
and not some guitar wanna-be.
Overall, this album is a lot more progressive
sounding than it might seem after a quick glance at the
cover. Hints of Savatage, Dream Theater, and others can
be heard throughout. But this is by no means simply a progressive
rock album. There are many other styles which Harris weaves
into this musical tapestry. Bits, pieces, and big old chunks
of jazz, fusion, neo-classical, electronica, and classical
guitar are all over this bad boy. And of course, when you
get right down to it, the beat of a heavy metal heart is
always present.
Sketches features one of the more aggressive
acoustic performances I've heard in some time in the song
titled, "Shibboleth." Other highlights include
some neat electric classical guitar picking in "Madfingers,"
a seventies-ish groove piece called "Regroovination"
which evokes some of Frank Marino's classic work, the interesting
fusion of neo-classical and prog in "IdeoSymphony,"
and the epic "A Soul's Torment."
This disc should satisfy anyone who read my
review of Chris Poland's Chasing The Sun and picked
it up, but thought that it wasn't heavy enough for their
tastes. At times, Sketches reminds me of Poland's
excellent CD, but it has a dark and ominous presence that
will appeal to a different crowd. At times I think it resembles
what an instrumental Savatage album might sound like. In
any event, Sketches is a diverse album that is definitely
worth picking up.
Shred Pick - "Regroovination"
Reviewed by Kevin
Ryan
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Michael Harris - Sketches From The Thought Chamber
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Order
Michael Harris - Sketches From The Thought Chamber
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