I think the time is right for me to make a record that is totally me - my world, says Steve Stevens regarding his brand new solo album, Memory Crash. Did not even know Steve was up to a solo album this year, hence it was a nice surprise to see Memory Crash finally spinning in my CD player, an album from a semi-luna guitarist I first was attracted to since his ATOMIC PLAYBOYS days.
Best known for recording/playing for other artists - Billy Idol, Vince Neil, Robert Palmer, Harold Faltermeyer, Michael Jackson, Peter Criss, Steve Lukather, Gregg Bissonette, Jizzy Pearl and Derek Sherinian, just to name some - Steve is also a 'wanna hire him' guitar lesson teacher, to the day he scales up in his fifties now (born in 1959). Even if his sessions with Billy Idol are more 'promoted' (he also participated in his 2005 Devil's Playground CD), I repeatedly say that his Atomic Playboys album in 1989 (featuring US Metal legends WARRIOR's Perry McCarty and Bruce Turgon on vocals and bass, respectively) was the one giving him the ultimate thumbs up! push into the Hard/Heavy world. Next works included the BOZZIO/LEVIN/STEVENS (or BLACK LIGHT SYNDROME, if you prefer) project with two 'virtuoso prog' albums in 1997 and 2000, plus he did deliver another solo effort in 1997 entitled Flamenco A Go-Go, full into Spanish guitar/ambient loops/midi sounds that would not fit into any category whatsoever.
Memory Crash is the album you're gonna like even if you're not into all this 'shredder' stuff. First of all, Steve Stevens is a shredder himself only when he thinks it fits so. In parallel motion to Joe Satriani's spirit in more 'simply rocking' tunes, plus classic and 60s/70s as hell where the songwriting needs so, I would end up listening to the whole CD over and over again before trying to write down this review/thoughts. Steve's playing is not only confident and reliable, but also boasts energy of - at least - three decades. Jimi Hendrix, Mark Farner, Joe Satriani and...Steve Stevens.
Well, the 'rocker' man is here again. A guitarist having previously flirted with tons of different sounds/genres is right now in the harsh Rock filed. Located, and aiming at you. Memory Crash is almost an instrumental album, with a heart full of rockin' soul. Grooves are allover, there's a discreet technique exposure in the background and - in not more than 40 minutes - this CD showcases an in-your-face approach from an axeman who decided to rock his guts out again. And, of course, aimed right.
Some samples and distorted parts would not make you feel embarrassed, since they do fit rather well in the specific songs' parts. Dug Pinnick (KING'S X) handles bass and vocal duties in the Day Of The Eagle, the most 'retro'(?) track off the whole album (along with Cherry Vanilla, maybe). Atmosphere is spread wide in tracks like Joshua Light Show and Prime Mover while the bluesy ideals take shape in Hellcats Take The Highway. All under the Steve Stevens prism, a punctual and non-conformist guitarist being - above all - 'Rock'.
You'll have a fine 40-minute pleasure listening to Memory Crash. Multiply with Stevens' addiction to notable works and add the - not obvious in the beginning - fresh air of the album's songs. Really'd want him not to be so late again releasing a straightforward album.