by Andy Hinds
Following the same outline of his previous two solo instrumental albums, 1993's Introspection and 1994's Uncertain Terms, Greg Howe's Parallax doesn't offer any surprises, but delivers mind-blowing guitar performances by the truckload. Howe continues to explore the more &outside& chromaticisms heard in fusion more often than rock, while his guitar tone has evolved from a brash, metallic sound (heard in his earlier work) to a smooth, compressed signal, which suits his extended legato forays quite well. Although the production values are rather clinical-sounding (especially those triggered drums), there's plenty of spirited playing here. The wah-wah-inflected funk soloing of the opening track &Howe 'Bout It& is frenetic and fun, and is the most accessible stuff on the album. Elsewhere, Howe's ability to cover sheer chromatic yardage in a single bound is nothing short of astounding; combining melodic arpeggio ideas, atonal passages, and unbelievable wide-interval phrasing, he is a virtual catalog of all modern guitar techniques. Each solo, while delivered with jaw-dropping speed and stamina, has a logical sense of phrasing behind it, making it more than just pure flash. It all gets a bit samey after a while, especially to the average listener. But guitar geeks will revel in the over-the-top decadence of this highly indulgent instrumental shred-fest.