Jason Becker - Perpetual Burn (1988)^{Release ID: 8941}

Jason Becker, to me, is actually the least appealing of the many Neoclassical guitar heroes of the 80’s. He is arguably the most talented guitar player, but when it comes to songwriting, or playing anything memorable, or evocative, he doesn’t do it for me. There’s also the backing band – or lack thereof. Unlike some shredders like David Chastain who love giving their highly capable backing band moments to shine, this is just Becker, basically soloing for 40 minutes over very simple and repetitive backing music. His skill is incredible yes, but it’s basically a gimmick album at this point. The only appeal is that this guy plays so amazingly fast it might distract you from the fact that nothing else is going on.

I don't listen to very much in the way of this brand of virtuoso, neo-classical guitar music, but I have heard enough of it that when I saw this album appear as one of the monthly listens, I felt I had to review, however brief this may turn out to be.

Jason Becker's debut album was released when he was only nineteen years old and I can kind of tell. While his performances are very impressive, showing off an unprecedented virtuosity of his instrument, the songs themselves are little bit more than your standard power chords, occasional synth backgrounds, very simple percussion, and a bass that could have recorded in a different studio, in a different country! All the focus is on Becker, but as an observer, it can get overwhelming at times; all I'm saying is, an instrumental break would be nice every now and again.

I do really enjoy how this album manages the neo-classical elements, specifically in the compositions. Becker and the rest of the ensemble know the basics and even some more of the advanced harmonies of classical music; lots of sweeping dominant/diminished arpeggios as well as a real understanding of major/minor chord progressions. That being said, I do have to criticize the first half for not really getting how these sorts of showman pieces work in a truly classical idiom. Later on, on tracks like "Eleven Blue Egyptians" and "Opus Pocus", an actual melodic idea is formed and gives Becker something to play off of rather than just wankery. But the first half, tracks such as "Perpetual Burn" and "Mabel's Fatal Fable" are not memorable in the slightest. And while I do like what Becker was going for on "Air", that song too devolves into a wank fest with no melodic momentum.

The ability was there and on full display with this album, but honestly, this feels like what every kid who just got accepted to a college/university jazz programs solos sound like: lots of notes, not a lot of substance. If I'm comparing this to the virtuoso, neo-classical guitarists that I know more about (Steve Vai, Eric Johnson, Paul Gilbert), I could take it or leave it. 

The ultimate in 80s guitar wankery!  Sweeping arpeggios abound.  Delicious melodies, but some over the top excess.  Dated sounds and mix, but all is forgiven considering the times.