Seven-string guitarist Pete Laramee makes all-instrumental concept albums that actually work. For 2008's Childhood Memories, he wrote songs inspired by people and events from his formative years. Now, on 7 String Cinematoid, he draws inspiration from some of his favorite movies. Astute film buffs will be able to hear those influences in such songs as the frantic "You Talkin' to Me?" the chunky "Pork Chop Express" and the complex riff-fest "A Certain Moral Flexibility." But because 7 String Cinematoid has no lyrics, knowledge of those films (Taxi Driver, Big Trouble in Little China and Grosse Pointe Blank, respectively) or any of the others referenced here is not a requirement for enjoying this album of melodic, fluid instrumental rock.
For example, "The Hanson Brothers" — a tribute to the fictional characters in 1977's Slap Shot — could just as easily be a tribute to the band Hanson, given its perky tenacity. And "El Guapo" is a refreshing and nimble three-minute acoustic workout that, as far as some listeners are concerned, has nothing to do with ˇThree Amigos!. On the other hand, the accessible surge of "Keyser Soze" (named after a character in The Usual Suspects) practically begs for lyrics. In fact, after three instrumental albums, Laramee has proven himself a capable-enough composer to take a stab at writing lyrics for his next solo outing.
Musically, Laramee's influences range from George Lynch, Steve Vai and Joe Satriani to David Gilmour and Steve Morse. Occasionally, he will throw in some keyboards, but the majority of 7 String Cinematoid is performed by a white-hot power trio that includes the Kurgan's Bane rhythm section of drummer Jeff Laramee (Pete's brother) and bassist Luis Nasser, who shares low-end duties with Michael Passen. This is busy, dense and rewarding stuff.
Track Listing:
1) Sedagive!?!?
2) You Talkin' To Me?
3) The Hanson Brothers
4) Chased by Reavers
5) Frank the Tank
6) Keyser Soze
7) El Guapo
8) A Certain Moral Flexibility
9) Pork Chop Express
10) Fargin Bastages
11) Cliffs of Insanity
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