issue of PROGRESSION MAGAZINE!Seven Thunders is an introductory calling card from talented Maine-based guitarist Rob Carlton, who takes a straight-ahead approach to atmospheric instrumental rock emphasizing lyrical lead lines over backing tracks with solid rhythmic accompaniment. The three meatiest tracks here – “Unfinished Business,” “Regeneration” and “Seven Thunders” – are ballsy, uplifting workouts: Carlton churns and shreds with a confident, sure-handed swagger that sounds neither forced nor hurried. He downshifts to acoustic for the brief yet thoughtfully rendered “Circles” and “Reconcile.” “Blackjack” is another mid-tempo rocker mining territory similar to the aforementioned troika but not quite as compelling, while “I Know What It Feels Like” rambles and meanders. Carlton has the spirit and the chops, and certainly knows how to create instrumental passages with ample energy/textural appeal. His playing brims with melodic nuances, yet there’s precious little here in the way of cogent melodic ideas: The need for greater compositional structure is apparent throughout. But for a 28-minute jaunt through the land of good ol’ smokin’ guitar-istry, Seven Thunders delivers the rock with appreciable conviction. – JOHN COLLINGE
Posted on: Sat, 22 Mar 2014 15:15:13 +0000
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