DAVID WHITE
~SCI-FI-GUITAR~
THE ARTIST & THE DISC
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David White is a new name to me. But his bio says that he's been on various
radio/tv shows across the nation. As well as touring the US. And playing
before as many as 100,000 people. So I guess once again I am the last to
know. But I do know now!.......David's skills go way beyond the guitar. Just
like his music goes way beyond rock.
David is a innovative guitarist. A killer rock guitarist (ala
Joe Satriani), an adventurous and creative shred man (ala Steve Vai), with
the technical prowess of the likes of David Gilmour. And David's use of the
wah-wah is reminiscent of Hendrix. Using it as an instrument, rather than
an effect.
The Sci-Fi-Guitar CD caught me off guard. I expected a typical
(generic) rock CD that takes enough chances to make it interesting.
But with no new grounds being broken.
David's music is anything but typical. The CD has techno/rock,
mainstream to hard rock/metal, and progressive rock. With this variety,
Sci-Fi-Guitar is not only a fun ride. But an interesting one. He's the
first I've heard working rock/metal over techno/rave beats. Obviously a hard
rock fan whose been to a few raves. Or at very least a big fan of the music.
This is evident on tracks Raveolution, Futura and
Aurora. Because the way David uses the electronica and his
six strings is mind boggling. Apparently he's a just as talented in the studio.
On tracks Quadrant 69, Ghost In The Machine, Warp10 and That'z
Wack'd, David highlights his hard rock chops. Playing hard rock mixed
with some very wicked metal. Two of the tracks are radio friendly. But with
a lethal edge....sorta Satriani meets Vai......or Beck Meets Holdsworth.
You get the point. The other two rockers are mad rockers. With the latter
being certified insane. You know, chock full of all the shred, aggression,
big phat rhythm and general insanity that we've all come to love.
While tracks like Final Frontier, Sci-Fi-Guitar and
Oblivion are a bit softer. They still manage to be among the most powerful.
They're certainly the most complex compositions. The arrangement and production
on these songs is where you get a glimpse into the complex musical maze that
is David's mind. The backgrounds being meticulous down to the smallest
almost ambient sounds. Creating thoughts, emotions and pictures through his
music. When I said David was no typical musician. These were the tracks
that convinced me. Music for the Mind, Body and Soul......
Finally a guitarist that doesn't sound like he studied under
one of your dad's friends. I mean rock guitar music has sounded the
same for years. It's progressed, yes....But the format has stayed pretty
much the same. David brings to the table, the influences of today. Thus creating,
not only a new page in the book. But a new book entirely. Rock guitar needs
a new direction and a new leader. And I'm rallying behind David White......and
his SCI-FI-GUITAR!
You can buy the sci-fi-guitar CD, at Daves site at www.scifiguitar.com.
THE TRACKS
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The C.D. opens with
"RAVEOLUTION". As the title hints at. This
one has a very rave-esque techno feel. Complete with repeating hypnotic phrases.
I swear while listening to this track all the lights in my house started
flashing insanely. If this song doesn't get some part of your body
moving.....Check your pulse because......"jack you dead!" Electronic beats
with rock induced guitar. An exciting intro to the CD.
Track #2 "QUADRANT 69"- A smoldering
metal tune with plenty of shredding. I don't know where Quadrant 69 is. But
when the Warning sound goes off I know it's time to get the hell out! This
song starts out a heavy rocker right at the start. But then within a few
seconds you find out why it's called Quadrant 69. When I first heard this
track, the haunting riff of the warning grabbed me. It gives the song a real
tense feel. You'll be listening to Dave jam these fluid leads. (and dig the
background rhythm during the rock soloing). Then the warning comes back and
shocks you. Maybe it's the contrast of the pleasant rock shredding with the
certain impending danger vibe that makes this one of my favorites.
Track #3 "GHOST IN THE MACHINE" - Oh yea! this CD just keeps rockin"!
This one goes straight for the jugular right out of the gate. A heavy rocker
with a funky, groove oriented rhythm. With plenty of what I call creative
breaks. That not only keep it interesting. But add to the overall feel of
the song. A searing runaway rocker! The rhythm part has a touch of metal.
But the solos are pretty much rock based. Although when confronting the ghost
hell breaks loose and David's only defense is to shred him off. A radio friendly
rocker that's over the top!
Track #4 "FINAL FRONTIER" -A beautiful song. Featuring some very tasteful
guitar. Showing that space can be just as powerful as a wall of sound. For
me some of the most powerful moments here are the quieter ones. This is one
of the songs you need to listen to all the parts on, to start to get a glimpse
of the whole picture. The soloing on this song is calming, powerful and deeply
soulful. But it's the sum of all the parts that create this beautiful landscape.
I hear a hint of neo-classical on this track. Strategically
placed, since I heard it no where else on the disc. Giving the song kind
of a Regal Beauty.
Track #5 "FUTURA" - This song also has a rave-esque vibe. In that
it has the hypnotic repeating phrases. Lucky for us, the hypnotic phrases
are killer licks. David perfectly captures the electronica it on pretty much
just the guitar. A song that starts out a dance beat and slowly builds into
a serious heavy rock tune. Making changes so smoothly that it's almost
subliminal. The rock influence comes in early. But takes it's time building
up. Coming to a very thrash like climax.
Track #6 "WARP 10" - Another song where David keeps it strictly rock.
This is the most radio accessible song on the CD. I'm afraid to say in the
styling of joe satriani. Because it's really not derivative of him. But it's
the same mainstream rock style. The solos in this song have some of my favorite
phrasing on the CD. And as the name might suggest, it's a smoker. Listen
to this song while your driving. And you'll be doing warp 10 right into traffic
court the next day! Crank It Up!
Track #7 "SCI-FI-GUITAR" - A hauntingly beautiful and powerfully emotional
song. The power comes from the masterful execution of the music. Rather than
layers of guitars. For one of the slower tracks with little flash and speed.
The song is not only emotionally powerful, musically this is one of the most
powerful songs on the disc. Again due to David's
immaculate
execution and unique phrasing.
Track #8 "OBLIVION" - A deeply moody song. This is one of those "the
sum of the parts creates the full vision" songs. It's what 's going on in
the background that sets the stage for this epic tune! This song features
some spacious guitar work that would make even David Gilmore envious. As
much as the rest of the CD rocked. It was the solo in this song that made
me crank up the volume. The way he uses the wah-wah in the solos is forcefull.
I haven't heard wah used that effectively since the 70's. Playing over the
interwoven textures that create this spacious backdrop. Again David puts
away most of the flash. And relies only on his masterful playing. (it's probably
just me, but I hear a little Jimi in the main solo)
Track #9 "THAT'Z WACK'D" - OK, while listening to the CD I was thinking.
David is such an articulate player, arranger, composer, producer and so on.
I was wondering what it would sound like if he just let his animal instincts
take over. The answer came in this song. A straight forward, no questions
asked metal/rock tune. It's kind of a Jekyll & Hyde metal tune. Shifting
between the hell bent guitar that opens the song, to jazzy/rock soloing.
And back and forth. Shifting at will between master and monster. This is
the most shred induced song on the CD.
Track #10 "AURORA (Dance mix)" - This song sounds like either a big
hit in the dance clubs. (guess that's why it's the dance mix) Or the
sound track behind the ending credits in a movie. Because this song fits
perfectly as a goodbye track. It just feels right. Leaving you kind of melancholy
but wanting to come back again. Which is exactly what I did when I got to
the end. I went back for another listen....
"SCI-FI-GUITAR"
A genre breaking Techno,Rock,Metal,Progressive Guitar
CD.
OK, heard enough? Go to David White's website
scifiguitar.com.
where you can purchase the sci-fi-guitar CD.
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