NEIL
ZAZA - Melodica
Neil Zaza: Guitar, Synths
Doug Johns: Bass
Bill Cioce: Drums
Mark Leach: Hammond B3 Organ, Clavinet
Melodica is Neil Zaza's brand new cd. No title would have been more exaustive: Neil is famous for his tasty and lyrical phrasing, and he devoted the whole cd to that.
On with the show sets the mood anticipated on the cd cover, with clown and freaks from a funky circus. It's just the ultrafamous jingle you' ve heard a million times, but it leads us into This Time, the cd first 'real' track. Here , after a synth intro, Neil kicks us all in the butt with one of his 'will remain in yer head forever' riffs... Strong melody, a perfect example of his style, and a tone to die for. His soulful vibrato and his bluesy bending are there as always, and as usual he manages to fill the gap left by the absence of lyrics: who needs lyrics when the music is so expressive? If we compare this track with 'I Spy', Neil's opener for the album 'Staring at the Sun', we can instantly notice that this one is less 'incendiary', even if Neil throws in a couple of impressive licks, and he's more concentrated on articulatin' the notes. Seems that Neil has made one more step towards maturity in his playin' , leavin' out the frills and goin' for the essence.
All My Life has a glorious intro. I fear I'll sound repetitive in this review, as I'll have to tell you each time I analize a song that it's well written, well played, with strong melodies and feel. Neil puts all his soul into his songs, and MAN you can clearly hear it. He plays for the song more than ever, makin' this album a masterpiece as 'Staring at the Sun', but addressin' even more to a broader audience, as you can truly enjoy this album even if you don't like Instrumental music, guitar, rock or even music itself. Some very smooth legato lines help to define Neil's sound as well =)
As I Go Before You features another synth intro and a beautiful melody. Listen to how he uses sincopation to make his lines even more expressive. Even more melody for the chorus. This track is heart-opening, fill yourself with joy while listening!
Melodica has an 'Engines of Creations' type start, and the way Neil plays the melody reminds me a bit of 'I'm Alright', prolly his greatest success.
Breadstick has a hounting feel, and it's perfect to break out the tracklisting. We want some aggro music too, and Neil is here to fullfill our desires ! =)
Strings to underline the scary feel, then Melody aplenty, then again mistery, suspence , thrill... Harmonics hell? Maybe. A volley of legato for all of us technique-eaters too.
Ship Of Dreams ia a soulful ballad in Zaza's style... Do you love ballads? Neil too.
The Flow starts with an acoustic piano, settin the chord progression for another beautiful ballad. Very dramatic palyin'.
I Can See Miracles has a blusier tone, and Neil plays some true bluesy licks there! Another ear-catchin' chorus, with one of the best melodies of the album, IMHO. Wha-fueled solo, with some outrageous swept arpeggios too.
Across The Sands has another electronic intro (as most of the songs oout of 'Melodica'). Almost techno, then an aggressive distorted guitar pushes out a pounding riff, while the lead guitar outlines another menacing melody. This song is quite diffrent for the others, and that's cool to me ! I like songs that are diffrent ! Classic Zaza's rock solo, a legato technique that can stand out in front of Satch's or Kotzen's! Tappin' too. Coll doublestop passage too, very rock'n roll style =)
Rena is, as the title may suggest, a ballad. Nothin' to add to what I've already said, really. Maybe that he manages to play a slow malody and then add a furious sweep in the middle of it? More bluesy feel.
Very Important Cat Things is a groovy stompin' song that reminds me of Nuno Bettencourt in the break right before the lead melody enters.
Forgot To Make Her Mine has a heavy feel and features Neil and a section of horns to outdraw a double stop riff. Funky wha chorus too. Extra cool violin solo! That's fun =)
Goodbye closes the album in the best way, being the album titled 'Melodica' and being the last song kissin' us goodbye...
Let Neil open your eyes and ears to what 's feel and soul.
True art is the way our soul and heart communicate to the outer world,
and Neil has the secret to turn his fellings
into a universal language.
Rating: 9
(reviewed by Max)