Known only as Clintone, the New Hampshire native has released a Hard Rock,
guitar heavy instrumental CD entitled, Full Circle (Metro City Records).
Instant influenence of George Lynch are Joe Satriani are abound and are the
basis of the shredding contained within.
Full Circle is an 11 track CD that is a fairly easy listen with songs
that are constructed to show off Clintone's lead playing. And his playing is
quite good, allowing himself to play within the song rather than against it or
just on top of it like so many shredfest guitar players out there. Clintone
shows a nice songwriting touch that isn't always the case with guitar players of
this day and age. Clintone uses some really nice phrasing and restraint and
often opts for the nice wide bend than to go for the all out Malmsteen speed and
the result is an enjoyable, musical journey.
While this is not a "Surfing With The Alien" type of guitar instrumental
record, it is a nice example of songwriting and chops all rolled up into one. If
any of you are familiar with Gary Hoey, it is more along the lines of his work.
A lot of Full Circle is on the laid back and reflective side with
accenting riffing, but there are song rockers in there too. Check out the Satch-like
"Touching On Taboo" or the flat out shredder, "Go Hard or Go Home". Clintone can
play and he's not afraid to show it, even though it is sometimes more downplayed
than in your face.
Clintone's Full Circle is an overall good CD, but if you are looking
for a more Metal-fused shredder, this isn't it. This is, however a decent Hard
Rock instrumental CD from a quality player. There is no new ground paved here,
but Clintone is a good musician and that's obvious here. But it will not light a
fire in you to keep giving this repeat performances in your CD player. It's a
tame and somewhat bland CD, with very good guitar playing.
Track Listing:
1. Abduction
2. Return To Me
3. Go Hard or Go Home
4. Full Circle
5. Dead Lines
6. Poet And The Pain
7. New Beginnings
8. Move It Or Lose It
9. Touching On Taboo
10.Drama
11.Lysa
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