SCOTT
MISHOE - Omnidirectional
(1995 Legato Records)Scott Mishoe - Guitar
Ray Riendeau, Keith Horne - Bass
Brett Frederickson, Paul Gilaspy - Drums
Mal-Funk-Shen opens this over the top cd with some fusion like clean licks. Then Mr. Mishoe dives deep into a funky slapped riff. The most strikin' thing about this young guitar ripper is in fact his jaw-droppin' slap technique applied on guitar. When it comes down to solo, Scott seems to prefer a Kotzen-like approach: long flurries with sweep pickin and tappin' a go-go.
Surely Scott loves to shred and he can do it big time.
Making my way home is a ballad with the above mentioned slappin' appearin' once again in a more subtle way. Here's the phrasin' is more relaxed and melodic. Scott inserts also funky everywhere, this makin' the songs groovier.
Sonic chaos is a perfect title of what Mishoe want to achieve in this song. Everythin' sounds a bit too technical here, like our good Scoot is makin' exercises... He looses a bit sight on groove, endin' up with a song which doesn't remain into your head for more than a couple of seconds...
The slapped stuff is encredible though!!!!
Incredible grasp continues Scott's showcase of his style. The funked up slap technique with the full - speed phrasin'. Here's Scott gives more attention to melody, and the song is more enjoyable for this reason.
Theresa Ann features Ray Riendeau playin' a little solo on his bass. It's clearly incredible. Then even Scott comes in and plays some melodic fills to create a beautiful texture with the bass.
Very relaxin' song, and very clever the fact that Mr. Mishoe decides to give the listeners a break.
Sky high features the return of the shred and Scott warms up his fingers. The track is energetic even if, as we said before, a bit too much Kotzen soundin'.
Out of control is in the same vein of the previous track. Nothin' more to add. The slapped stuff is incredible as said before. If only Scott played less for the sake of speed and more for the groove...
Dream come true is a melodic song. It sounds like Scott plays his best when he slows down, as he's got a good ear for melody. He likes to harmonize some of his licks too!
Miafoe is a funky tune. More groove here.
Whiteland leaf won't leave into your ears much more than what you've heard 'till now. Scott sounds a bit too repetitive. He can shreds, there's no doubt about it , but maybe with a little more variation on his compositions and his phrasin' he could have done a masterpiece of instrumental guitar.
Without you is another ballad. As said before these songs are the best of the album.
Nacho Mama is the ultimate slapped guitar piece. The intro is memorable, and then Scott plays his typical stuff.
The cd contains this WARNING on the tray card : This instrumental guitar cd burns, reams, bites, shreds, rips and tears. Purchaser agrees to bear responsibilty for any and all damage resulting from the playing of this cd including, but not limited to, holes in walls, buildings shaken from their foundations, frightened pitbulls and angry wives.
So here's exactly the point: if you're searchin' for a warp speed guitarist, you've found it!
If you're searchin' for a cd with songs which will give you food for your brain and ears, then Omnidirectional
will sound a bit too repetitive. Scott Mishoe slap technique is really incredible, and the cd should be listened
just for this reason alone. We can say that this is Scott's first cd, and then he maybe wanted to show
everythin' he's able to do. There's some really good stuff too. We bet that his next cd will show a much more
rounded guitarist and musician, and will probably be VERY good.
Rating : 7
(reviewed by Max)