The sound of the electric guitar has shape shifted and been molded to fit the hands of countless players throughout its packed, albeit brief history. Throughout this star-studded timeline, several virtuosos of the instrument have stepped forth to grasp the liquidous sound of the instrument and display their musical prowess so strongly through it as to change the approach on it of any future guitarist.
So where do we find the state of the electric guitar now? It was carried through the ’80s with the help of Stevie Ray Vaughan and others, and then fell into a more niche spot as the lead rhythm instrument of the heavy rock sounds of bands like Nirvana, Red Hot Chili Peppers, Limp Bizkit, and more throughout the mid-2000s. I dare say that the electric guitar has found itself in the midst of its thousandth revival with the help of this third second wave of guitarists including the likes of Joe Bonamassa, Josh Smith, and our very own Eric Gales. Bonamassa and Smith both lent their musical expertise to this album in the form of production, although Bonamassa also makes a cameo in the title track of the album.
Throughout the album, Gales demonstrates a mastery over the rise and fall of the waves of rock guitar madness. He has tapped into that legendary ability to unleash the wild beast that resides within the heart of every electric guitar, and tame it. Quiet, loud, clean, and dirty, Gales’ guitar seemingly has no bounds. Several of the tracks on this album strike poignantly into the heart of struggles in Gales’ life, abundant racism often a point of focus among them. The deepening of the lyrics allows Gales’ guitar to shine even brighter, with a harder message sharpening the edge of each note.
Gales stakes his claim to the “crown” of guitar-dom here, a conversation that includes the eclectic Bonamassa and will now have to include Gales as well. For historians and listeners of the great tale of the electric guitar, fear not, for it is in solidly quick hands in the blues-rock world with Mr. Gales.
