T.D. CLARK - PERSONALITIES
{mark is missing again. So I'll handle it alone.}
Personalities is full of youthful enthusiasm. Giving some of the songs a
cocky sort of attitude. Much like that of early Eddie Van Halen. And
it doesn't have the Big Studio mega production sound quality. It's a little
raw. Giving it a very live feel. Enhancing the experience that is T.D.
Clark.
I wasn't sure whether to call Personalities a rock/shred or a shred/rock
c.d. (note the position of the word shred) But to simply call
this a rock c.d. would be doing T.D. Clark a serious injustice. While T.D.'s
shred skills place him among the best. He is so much more than just a rock
guitarist. Here you get to listen to T.D. display a few of his own (musical)
personalities. You'll find shred, rock, acoustic, country (on caffeine)
"Metallic Hoe Down" and
a latin acoustic song "El Rio
de Tiempo" that must be heard. With a close eye on melody, these
songs would appeal to the average guitar fan. As well as the die hard guitar
fan, like myself. I love the diversity of this c.d. In both the songs and
the playing. Although it's primarily a hard rock c.d with perfectly played
and well written ( molten ) solos. T.D. includes a few acoustic
interludes which give the disc room to breathe. These acoustic songs
show the virtuosity of T.D. Clark. Going from fierce hyperspeed shredfests
to the beauty and simplicity of
"April". All played in T.D.'s unique
style and immaculate technique.
THE TRACKS
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The
C.D. opens with "Emerald Skies". A great emotionally charged rock
song with some tasteful twin leads. Very hot solos too. I love
the outro solo where he kicks in the wah. This song left me feeling kind
of melancholy. If this song were used in a movie soundtrack. It would be
used during a time when someone was reflecting back to a nice time. This
song perfectly exemplifies what made me such an instant fan of T.D. Clark
in the first place. His natural beauty and emotion. And his aggressive lead
style. Creating a style and sound I like to call
"beautifully/aggressive".
Track #2 "Parallel Lines" was the first song I heard from T.D.
Clark. (the song is available at his site). A driving grind with plenty of
attitude. This is also some of the heaviest and fastest T.D. on the
disc. Here T.D. shows a perfect balance between rock and metal styles. From
the metallic rhythm that becomes more rock at the chorus. To the rapid fire
assault that seems to change from rock to metal (shred) in an instant. I
really like the almost evil feel of this one. This is the one song on the
disc that I would call "metal" style. (maybe it's the double bass drums)
Very Hot Guitar and some major adrenaline pumping solos make this
one of my favorites. Two words, Heavy & Shred.
(full sample available at T.D. Clarks
web site)
Track #3 "At The Rivers Edge" is an uptempo fun acoustic song
played on a 12 string. Complete with running water sounds for ambience. You
can't help but tap your foot or move your body in some way listening to the
rivers edge. I loved the guitar on this one. Beautiful but funky/bluesy at
times. There are a couple of licks in the latter part of the song that just
brought an even bigger smile to my face. A very happy, peaceful vibe on this
one.
Track #4 "Metallic Hoe Down" is a rip roaring rock extravaganza
chock full of country licks. That ultimately becomes a metallic meltdown.
With an over the edge solo throughout the song. I especially liked
the relentless, no escape fever pitch that this one reaches. And T.D. did
a fine job of injecting the lethal rocker with a perfect dose of country.
( kind of like chet atkins meets joe stump ) Let's see you square dance to
this "Hoe Down". It would end up the first country mosh pit. And with T.D.
doing the fiddlin' there'll be no survivors.
Track #5 "Game Show" A great rocker with a very hot rhythm
track. Check out the riffage and the cool fills. Sometimes I just sit and
listen to the rhythm track. That part of the song alone is worthy of note.
But add the lead and solos (oh! the solos) and you've got a great song.
I liked the solos on this track. T.D. step s outside of the typical
rock style.
Track #6 "El Rio de Tiempo" is an acoustic latin song. Complete
with trumpet. Some thing you don't usually find on a rock c.d. This is
unquestionably one of my favorites. This shows the incredible talents of
T.D. Clark. And the variety of T.D.'s influences. This isn't a latin influenced
song. This is a full blown latin composition. And done as beautifully and
articulate as any guitarist specializing in this genre. ( strunz & farah,
de lucia, etc. ) I must say "muy bueno".
Track #7 "Cincinnati" is a radio friendly rock song with an
absolutely fiery lead. If anyone could sell shred to the average radio listening
public. It's T.D. Clark. He is so melody oriented that even the fastest,
most aggressive songs come off pleasant. It's time for a new guitar player
to step up to the throne of radio king. Jeff Beck dominated the airwaves
for a lot of years. And then Joe Satriani took over with a more up to date
style and sound. T.D. Clark clearly possesses's the arsenal to storm
the castle and reign as the new king. I'll gladly join his army. Viva la
T.D. Clark.
Track #8 "Tears" is another one of my favorites. And
this time it's someone other than T.D. that that has drawn my attention.
Tears is a beautiful 2 hand piece for the bass. Great job Dave! The mood
is enhanced by T.D. who handles the keys on this one. This song is short
but sweet.
Track #9 "Haunting" A moody feel with some very tasteful leads.
T.D. brings it down a bit on this one. But I still found it one of the most
powerful songs on the c.d. And he does this without a single speed lick.
Using a slower more emotional playing style. And T.D.'s music
is naturally beautiful. So he really shines here. A real moody feel to this
one. I could feel him almost reaching into his soul for this song.....
Track #10 "April" is a very sweet acoustic piece with just T.D. picking
a short but memorable song.
Track #11 "The Duel" is a duel ( hence the title
) between T.D. Clark and Ryan Nash. This is the way to end a c.d. of this
caliber. We all know nothing drives a guitarist more than playing with
another guitarist. So if you put these two monsters in the studio together
you had better run & hide. The duel is a no holds barred showdown. That
comes to an almost chaotic end. You want it raw? You want it hard? You want
it life threatening? Then face the duel...............
"PERSONALITIES" is one hell of an introduction
to a real master of his genre....
ALL OF T.D.'S C.D.'S & MERCHANDISE ARE AVAILABLE
ON HIS WEBSITE.
accepting VISA, MASTERCARD, DISCOVER, AMERICAN EXPRESS.
so there's no reason not to order any of T.D.'S stuff.
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