#21 ·
Bryan Barrett said:First off, my apologies for the delayed response; my internet connection has been absolutely abysmal today. 😠
They performed their own compositions live, though one could argue they lean toward the classical side, especially given how Jordan Rudess’s keyboards and the acoustic elements lend that specific flair. The guitar and keys weave together seamlessly, creating a fluid sound despite the tracks being quite lengthy—around nine minutes. There are moments of heightened intensity, but the primary focus remains the construction of melody. As for technique, when John Petrucci is involved, it goes without question. At certain points, he reminds me of Pat Metheny, yet it remains distinctly his own style. He blends acoustic and electric guitar effortlessly. Essentially, this is Petrucci in a different light, showcasing his full range of versatility. If you're interested, send me a PM and I'll get those files to you.
I would also suggest you listen to a couple of pieces by Jason Becker—specifically Air and Altitudes—just to see how even metal musicians can compose exquisite, atmospheric, and mellow works.
Thanks for the info. I appreciate your point about the music being fluid and prioritizing melody. The fact that it leans toward Pat Metheny is even more appealing. It sounds like my kind of thing. I'll shoot you a PM so we can coordinate. By the way, what's the damage for that CD?
As for Steve Vai and Joe Satriani, they occasionally—and quite frequently—tend to overindulge in technical self-gratification. Personally, that doesn't bother me much because I value technical proficiency just as highly as emotional feel; they are two sides of the same coin.😉 I believe the situation is different with John Petrucci (listen to the solos on Voices, Learning to Live, Under a Glass Moon, and Take the Time), as he has managed to perfectly balance technical mastery with genuine soul.
Exactly, that is my point. Ultimately, "feeling" is entirely subjective. For instance, people constantly attempt to convince me—which is a futile endeavor in itself—that Joe Satriani is a master technician who possesses both melody and soul. That is perhaps the most subjective claim one can make. I simply do not experience that particular "feel." It isn't the energy I gravitate toward; I just don't connect with it. What strikes one person as a beautiful melody might leave another completely cold. The same applies to Voja Stefanovski; people claim he has achieved that perfect marriage of technique and emotion, yet I find myself unable to feel it. We aren't on the same wavelength. To reiterate, I find Al Di Meola to be the perfect fusion of melody and skill. To someone else, he might seem like a show-off or perhaps too melodic. Anyway, I've wandered into theorizing now. But I have always found the subjective perception of music to be fascinating. Take I Love You Much Too Much by Santana, for example. The guitar truly weeps; it pours its soul out through such a breathtaking melody that it nearly moves me to tears. Then, I play it for a friend, and he remains utterly indifferent. I am moved to tears, while he finds it practically repulsive. These psychological nuances are genuinely interesting. But I will stop droning on with my ramblings...
Take care...