Phil Dirt - Reverb Central - PO Box 1609, Felton, CA 95018-1609 USA Sir Clive and the Raging Cartographers - Guitar Safari
 | Sir Clive and the Raging Cartographers is Pete Prown, noted American guitarist who fronts the progressive rock band Guitar Garden. He also writes extensively about guitar music and its history. The playing on this CD is superb, but musically, Guitar Safari has nothing at all to do with surf, and for my taste, is way too tedious. It took multiple sittings for me to review it. |
Picks: Attack Of The Mysterons
Track by Track Review
Psychedelic (Instrumental)
"Attack Of The Mysterons" begins with really cool intense guitar. As it unfolds, it becomes a spy-like number that's often more riff than song, though once into the body of the song, its intensity and psych edges make it more interesting. I didn't like this at first, but it grew on me by the time it was over.
Rock (Instrumental)
Bongos and exotic percussion set the stage for angular guitar chops and big whammy twang. Often stinging, "Guitar Safari!" is relentlessly in your mug. It's much more about the whammy sting than the song, yet the acoustic break really makes it come alive.
Country (Instrumental)
Steel twang and country fun permeate an otherwise peaceful gingham afternoon. More rockin' that pure country, less spiffy than Buzzy Frets and his Surfabilly Orchestra.
Rock (Instrumental)
A gnarled distant glissando in post modern gloom brings on waterfront dementia. This conjured a scene from Surf Nazis Must Die via its relentless and dangerous inversions. While interesting, there's only the opening glissando to relate it to surf, and that's really rough.
Silla Jazz (Instrumental)
Luxurious jazzy guitar runs through a progression passing for a melody. At just over a half minute, it is in view for just long enough.
Sly Fox Rock (Instrumental)
Employing the underlying signature riff from "Our Favorite Martian," this song just isn't up to repeated listenings. Too much guitar hero tone for my taste.
Aqua '63 Jazz (Instrumental)
"Aqua '63" is a very jazzy number with occasional runs through the scale and pure jazz chords. It's pretty at times, but way too noodly for my taste.
Over The Top Rock (Instrumental)
The drums are cool and the rock anthem tone and chords all seem to work in sync. "Over The Top" is a loud rock jam right out of the break of an fm rocker from the late seventies.
Blues (Instrumental)
"Quiet Blues" is very pretty. Its soulful motion and guitar lick are very pleasurable. Quite nice.
Hot Wings Rock (Instrumental)
Slightly reminiscent of Ixt Addux if Uli Roth was induced to play along, "Hot Wings" is a cycling exercise that seems to be devoid of direction. Too relentless and unchanging for me.
Stratosphere Rock (Instrumental)
Lumbering drama and Pink Floyd-ish licks create a soaring scene of epic adventure. While its very well played, it seems too predictable and derivative.