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There is a scene at the start of
The Beach where Leonardo DiCaprio advises wannabe
travellers not to outstay their welcome. I think the
same philosophy can be applied to music, and I think
that on this album the California Guitar Trio don't abide by it.
With 19 tracks, this album is simply too long, even
if some of the tracks, such as Kaleidoscope at under a
minute, are short. It's not that the songs start to
become bad per se - it's the fact that they start to sound too familiar, too
samey.
On the flipside, this is a
guitar player's album. Most of the tracks are the said
trio with acoustic guitars and nothing else - no drums,
no bass, no piano and no vocals. And what damn fine guitar
players they are. The entire album shows off the Pittsburgh (!) trio's talent. It sounds like
it was recorded live and in one or two takes as there
are times when you can hear "fret buzz". This just
adds to the character and adds a more personal
touch.
The best tracks on the album are
those that are more frantic. Opening track Yamanashi Blues, the opus
Train To Lamy Suite Parts 1-5, Beeline, Melrose Avenue
and Pathways are fast and hectic and for the guitar
players, full of hammer ons, trills and pull offs.
The trio speed up and down the fret board with each
guitar accompanying the last with pinpoint accuracy
and technique.
It has its own style, but
there are touches of classical, Spanish, Flamenco,
rock and jazz guitar. Many of the song titles give you
an idea for the feel of this album: Beeline, Pathways,
Scramble and Kaleidoscope. They all invoke an image by
themselves and the relentless acoustic guitar adds to
an almost futuristic soundscape.
For those not familiar with
their work, take the guitars of an Ozric
Tentacles album, put them onto an acoustic guitar
and take away all the swooshes and electronic noise
and you will be on your way.
The Last Decade is not the most
accessible album and will not reach Number One. It's
more for music connoisseurs who appreciate real
musical talent and ability when they hear it, rather than over-produced, irrelevant pop tripe. That said, it is too long and even the most ardent fan will find themselves skipping some of the middle filler.
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