Kategorie: CD-Reviews | Genre: Artrock | Heft: Jahrgang 2014, eclipsed Nr. 166 / 12-2014 | VÖ-Jahr: 2014 | Wertung: 8/10 | Label: Eigenvertrieb | Autor: BSV
If you think of a potential solo album by Marillion guitarist Steve Rothery, you might imagine instrumental tracks in which the guitar is clearly in focus, but never misused for pure self-portrayal. Rothery fulfilled this expectation exactly on his studio debut "The Ghosts Of Pripyat". The man is so adept and experienced and also has a fine hand for beguiling songwriting. His tracks don't need singing. He lets the guitar speak. Of course, it's been known for 30 years that he can sound like David Gilmour. He's doing the same thing here. But not only that. It creates sometimes ice-cold, sometimes warm-melancholic, sometimes gloomy, sometimes lively soundscapes. Also the sound of his guitar changes. The melodic variety of his solos is beyond all doubt. It can also rock out of the blue, but always controlled and with the handbrake on. Maybe one or the other passage is too lovely. However, this does not diminish the positive overall impression. Additional treat: Steve Hackett and Steven Wilson may also contribute some guitar.
Top track: Summer's End