Citing the usual inspirations (Yngwie Malmsteen, Pat Metheny, Allan Holdsworth) — as well as a few surprises (Steve Lukather! Dan Huff! Kee Marcello!) — Swedish guitarist Daniel Palmqvist has released a thoroughly enjoyable all-instrumental debut album. A Landscape Made From Dreams was recorded over an astonishingly brief two-and-a-half-month period with drummer and keyboardist Daniel Flores (who also produced this record) and bassist Johann Niemann, both of the prog-rock band Mind's Eye. Additional keyboard contributions come from a series of session players. Kudos to Palmqvist for not allowing any one instrument to dominate, making this solo disc sound more like a band effort. Palmqvist — who says he wanted to make an album "that would appeal to both guitar players and non-musicians alike" — evokes multiple moods with his playful style and provocative melodies. He shows off soaring leads over Flores' crashing piano plunges on "Riddle Me This" and brutally assaults his instrument on "Carte Blanche," a song tempered in the middle with more sparkling keys. He boogies on "Truffle Shuffle," while the massive "Words of Wisdom" and the title track build to epic proportions and close the album on a literal slew of positive notes. You can almost hear the words.
Track Listing:
1) Welcome
2) Devil's Dance
3) Moment of Clarity
4) If Things Were Different
5) Riddle Me This
6) Carte Blanche
7) After the Rain
8) Truffle Shuffle
9) Behind the Mirror
10) Song for Pongo
11) Words of Wisdom
12) A Landscape Made From Dreams (Farewell)
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