Back To The Garden is the latest and third solo recording from guitarist/vocalist Maxine Petrucci. This heavy melodic outing combines the past and the present as Petrucci has been performing for many years, going back to 1984 when together with her sister Roxy they started the group Madam X.
Petrucci's guitar work is both exciting and inviting cutting loose on a ballsy heavy rocker called "Wtf" as she gets Back to the Garden rolling in style. Her vocals are quite agreeable while also different which is probably the easiest way to sum them up, especially on the title number "Back To The Garden". Where she throws in a both musical and vocal curveball as it sounds quite quirky, but in context of this song that is somewhat "out there" it works really well in an odd but clever way.
"Out Of Whack" is a great tune and returns more to the norm fuelled by the mighty crunch of heavy riffs and that hefty input of both the drums and bass. "Assassinate" brings the pumping metal and is such a fun track to listen to and Petrucci gets shredding for the solo, rocking music meets Petrucci's impressive flute playing for "Wicked" and is an engaging combination. She then unveils her acoustic guitar sounds for the harmonious "Pink Angels" while "Youth Gone By" is another firecracker of a tune. Petrucci continues to dish it out on Back to the Garden's finale "Harsh My Gig" with more of her striking guitar work but the song does seem to steer slightly off the tracks in parts.
For the most part my impression of Back To The Garden is one of positive thoughts. When Petrucci gets it right she nails it and there are plenty of songs where she does just that.
Track listing
1) Wtf
2) Back to the Garden
3) Out of Whack
4) Assassinate
5) Wicked
6) Pink Angels
7) Youth Gone By
8) Ginger Man
9) Sacred
10) Harsh My Gig
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