“The Journey Of Life” is a ten track (eleven if you include the bonus track) guitar instrumental album from Dean McGinnes. I have lived with this CD for a few weeks now and have to say some tracks have really got under my skin. Dean gives the listener a real variety of styles and moods on this release and every time I put the CD on I was entertained and at times enthralled. A nice touch in the packaging is Dean’s explanation and thinking behind each track.

Opening track “Going Nowhere” is described as “heavy in your face rock” and I would say this was pretty accurate. There is some great controlled feedback and nice double stop playing. The riffing is fat and fruity and there is a nice bluesy breakdown with question and answer playing giving the track a unique flavour.

“New Start” has a gentle and very pretty melody and also has a very optimistic feel to it. It has a Satriani like quality and pulls the listener along step by step.

“Mountains Of Echo” is an evocative and moody track. The power of the track comes from its simplicity. It’s just acoustic guitar drenched in reverb and delay with some synthesiser washes gently swirling in the backgound. This track sounded better on each play and I am sure there is a budding filmmaker out there who could use Dean’s services on a soundtrack with this song.

“Hypnotised” is a track built entirely on picked chords. It’s an intriguing approach and the end result is very original.

“The Journey Man Ryan Carroll” is dedicated to Deans guitar tutor. This track revolves around some wicked guitar arpeggios.

“Get Up And Go” is a mid tempo rocker. Dean gets out his wah wah pedal and pulls out some tasty tapped licks and fills.

“2ism” is just guitar and synth. It’s a song, which I found conjured up many feelings ranging from floating, looking down from space and standing on a beach looking out to sea. Whenever you listen to this track you find yourself somewhere different.

“The End Is Near” was the track, which took the longest to record as Dean explains that he had many attempts at starting the song, but couldn’t quite get the sound he was looking for. It’s moody and dense and builds as the song progresses.

“The Journey Of Life (part1) is just one guitar with no overdubs. Dean uses delay and volume swells to great effect and creates a song that is delicate and melodic.” Journey Of Life (part2)” is a natural continuation of Part 1 and picks up the pace and melodies perfectly.

“Alone” (bonus track) is a solo piece, which harmonically and stylistically is very reminiscent of Joe Satriani. It’s another delicate piece with a mood of its own.

Dean shows on this self-produced and independent release that there are still instrumental guitarists out there trying to be different and taking risks. A lot of instrumental players are moving into new territories saying that guitar instrumental music is sometimes too restricting creatively. I don’t see Dean having this problem as he appears to have “open ears” and is prepared to experiment to get the required result. It’s a brave step sending your music to a reviewer and when I receive such “personal” music to listen to I find it sometimes very humbling. Dean’s album is a solid effort from a player who draws on real life for his inspiration rather than aping or mimicking other guitarists. There are some occasions where “tuning” wise Deans guitar is a little off the mark but rather than go back and “fix it” Dean has left things as they are in favour of keeping the feel factor of the original take. This observation is not a criticism in any way as the musical diversity and creative approach that Dean has taken to this project far outweighs the odd tuning niggles.

Contact - www.deanmcginnes.com

Tracks Reviewed

Going Nowhere
New Start
Mountains Of Echo
Hypnotized
The Journey Man Ryan Carroll
Get Up And Go
2ism
The End Is Near
The Journey Of Life (Part 1)
The Journey Of Life (Part 2)