Guthrie Govan
Erotic Cakes

We really missed the real guitar madness of Allan Holdsworth, as none of the new guitarists decide to venture into yet unexplored sonic territories. But to remedy all of this, there's the new "scientist" Guthrie Govan, who with his "Erotic Cakes," literally dazzles the listener and six-string enthusiasts. Govan, with his eccentric demeanor and very peculiar style, gives us a new product, with a lively and intelligent sound, enriched with a decidedly crazy streak (especially for certain solutions and passages which leave one wondering how they were conceived). Gathering the various influences of the six-string masters (curious and interesting is the video where he mimics the sound of his idols by "imitating" their style), he offers us this album with the title of a Simpsons episode.

The first track "Waves," with its captivating and positive melody using legatos, strongly reminds us of Zappa's sound, whom Guthrie counts among his main influences; the track continues with eccentric slides and overtly jazz scales, with an excellent use of harmonics. We then move on to the title track of the album, where the most unpredictable and distorted aspect of the guitarist is present; the track begins with a beautiful irregular time signature over which a definitely tech metal-based riff is overlapped; the song proceeds with a series of bewildering tempo changes and acid distortions, all supported by an excellent rhythmic section and featuring a brilliant foray into atonal territories. The third track, "Wonderful Slippery Thing," starts with a rhythmic slap bass that sets the decidedly jazz and funk atmosphere of the entire piece; in this track, Govan engages in riffs with an ironic and virtuosic tone, exchanging roles with the electric bass, which responds with very engaging rhythmic effects. The fourth track, "Ner Ner," erupts with a rhythmic acoustic guitar riff that transitions into the electric and powerful main riff and then progresses into a series of fusion licks, making the song's atmosphere very warm and explosive, characteristic of the album's sound. The fifth track, "Fives," features a very delirious and strongly hypnotic guitar rhythm, continuing with a very fresh sound; note the tapping section around 1:45, highly suggestive, with powerful syncopations and stops, the track develops using scales rarely executed at high speed, and the bass solo is interesting. In the sixth track, the influence of Vai can be heard with the use of effects that make the mood very positive and lively, thanks also to the impetuous slap that accompanies the entire track and the wise use of the harmonizer. The seventh track, with a rock n' roll flavor, features a very personal use of artificial harmonics and whirlwinds of delicately elaborate virtuosity. After the intensity of the previous tracks, to break it all up, Govan introduces in the eighth track a relaxed atmosphere which immediately draws attention due to the excellent arrangement. The ninth track is a regular jazz-fusion piece very reminiscent of the eighties, always played with Govan's mastery. But with the arrival of "Rhode Island Shred," one can see how Govan wants to have fun; in this piece, he brings a modern-flavored country style, accelerates it, enriches it with scales, gives it a very bizarre and popping sound, and with his continuous up-and-down movements on the fretboard, he creates a very exciting and fun atmosphere (the lengths to which human madness can go).

"Hangover" begins with a series of augmented chords combined with perfect bass timing, to which a very reassuring guitar sound adds, albeit with its abstract wanderings. To finish, an excellent album showcasing Govan's skill (also a highly esteemed educator) of being able to experiment without being ashamed to cite his masters, his good musical proposition, the excellent use of atypical scales and harmonies. Many compliments to the rhythmic section with Guthrie's brother Seth Govan on bass, whose highly intelligent lines play a significant role in creating the album's atmosphere: kudos also to drummer Pete Riley, who at certain points demonstrates very effective technique and precise sound.