mista

Surf, perhaps you don't realize that our positions are perfectly reconcilable. No one doubts that one might prefer Malmsteen to Toni Iommi (and I might prefer him too), just as you are more thrilled by Villeneuve than Schumacher. The difference lies elsewhere: while no one would dream of saying that Schumacher is a shitty driver because "he doesn't excite me," everyone is ready to insult Malmsteen because he doesn't resonate with them. It's this that bothers me!

scapegoat

Ajeje, don’t take offense and especially don’t misunderstand me, I’m not saying that those who don’t appreciate Malmsteen don’t understand a thing about music! On the contrary, I think that each of us has different sensitivities towards music, which stem from our backgrounds, our education, our tastes, etc. So if Malmsteen doesn’t resonate with you, there’s nothing wrong with that, but it bothers me that a talented guitarist like him is taken as a scapegoat by those who hate ultra-technical guitarists. Malmsteen is not - and I say this as someone who can’t stand ultra-technicians - just technique and showmanship. The comparison with Botticelli was meant to stir up a bit of excitement, after all!

I've heard about them often but you know I've never listened to them... I'll take care of it. If I may say, though, what a shitty cover!

Well done, Dreamwarrior! No one denies the showmanship of guitar heroes, but we must recognize that there's more to it than that! If someone cannot grasp that "something extra," it’s clear they don't have the ears to understand! I would draw a somewhat bold parallel with art that I hope you take in the right spirit: a painting by Botticelli might appear to an untrained observer identical to another painting executed by a follower of his school. But while they might be equal in terms of painting technique, a discerning observer will recognize the traits that make the original unmistakable. In the same way, someone lacking a certain sensitivity to instrumental music will consider a Michael Angelo album and a Malmsteen album essentially the same, blinded by the endless number of notes. However, someone with a more trained ear will recognize the "magic" touch of the Swedish guitarist’s hand, the unmistakable sound of his Strat that only he can make scream at those levels (have you seen how he plays with such high action), the spontaneity and disarming ease with which he performs parts that anyone else would execute with a furrowed brow. It's no coincidence that in his youth, many saw extraordinary talent in him; perhaps he squandered it a bit...

Well, surf, think what you want... anyway, I remain of the opinion that these three are not just talk and a badge... some of their production may well be an end in itself. Anyway, in honor of Mr. Malmsteen, without passion and the way I play a Stratocaster, you can't play like him... and he's one of the few virtuosos with a rock'n'roll attitude that oozes from every note (as ultra-fast as they may be) he plays; maybe it's just me who feels this... anyway, before insulting him like some other note-scratching idiots, I would think twice, even if he is a bit of a caricature of himself now, some of his pieces really do kick ass. Petrucci, on the other hand, also sucks to me.

Well, surfing, if you want we can discuss it, but without stating the obvious or clichés like someone did earlier;-)

Holy words, Marco 85, this G3 may or may not be to your taste, but the value of the individual musicians and their music is unquestionable.

Damn Ajeje, your last comment had me cracking up... in fact, I’ve said it too that this G3 is at times really tacky!! And I also smiled at the idea that Satriani, a modest guitarist, tries to emulate his flashy comrades. Anyway, if you approach it with the right mindset, it’s definitely entertaining. My critiques weren’t directed at those who think this G3 is 'shit,' but rather at those who insult - based on prejudices - the entire output of today’s flashy musicians, making absolute statements like: their music isn’t music, it doesn’t convey anything, it’s just technical skills and blah blah blah. If you understand even a little about guitar (even if you don’t play it), you know that the music of Vai, Satriani, and Malmsteen is not "just technique," but something more.

Then I know that debaser is all about the comments! And indeed, when I saw Zion, I thought, what the hell is he doing on the review of the G3?! Then I read the comment and said to myself, "Ah, he's just trying to show off"...