Guitar instructor Scott Lindenmuth is one of many talented artists in Seattle. Penalty Phase , his latest offering, is an album of sizzling instrumental rock and jazz. Scott's guitar burns through each track. The support is top notch. Randy Jacobson wields a beefy sounding fretless bass, Andy Roben provides a very deft hand at the keyboards, and Bill Dodge ties it all down and drives the rhythm on drums.
While there is much evidence of Scott's guitar virtuosity, there is certainly much more going on. The compositions are very solid and show that some care and thought went into this project. The album's closing cut, "Return To The Dark Stream", takes us out into space a`la David Gilmore (Pink Floyd) for a sort of free-form jam. At times I find Scott's sound reminiscent of Scott Henderson of Tribal Tech with a little Steve Vai thrown in for extra fire.
Penalty Phase is a must have for fans of progressive instrumental jazz/rock as well as those who appreciate hot guitar playing.
-Jeff Rayle