PAT METHENY GROUP: AMERICAN GARAGE

The stable quartett delivers another strong album on "American Garage". I think it is slightly more rock-oriented than before. Unlike some other fusion bands, emotions are on good display with this tight band. Tight interplay, clear motives and taste set the mark. The first track is not that distinctive yet, crosses smooth jazz with contemporary jazz but has a nice jazz sound. "Airstream" is a mellow beautifully developed guitar driven melancholic song. "The search" is a counterpart with lush piano and later country influenced twangy guitar coming to the busy synthesizer/drum/bass end. "American garage" has a rocking feeling judging by its name and sound but there's plenty of guitar hooks to be developed. "The epic" is indeed an epic and crown juwel of the album - plenty of drum/synth/guitar interplay and dynamic bass in the background. The most typical fusion pace-faced composition with a lot of tasty solos. A beautiful album.