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High impact, low appeal
The Advocate
Yngwie Malmsteen is the type of musician I always get excited about when he releases a new album. He’s consistent. He’s like AC/DC in that regard. But at the same time he’s different. Some people call him pretentious, saying he only writes music that allows him to “masturbate with his guitar.” If this is the case, that’s some of the finest masturbation I’ve ever, uh . . . heard.
Having said this, you either like Yngwie, or you don’t. I like Yngwie, but I was disappointed to find out that his new album is merely a collection, or “best of.” There is only one previously unreleased track – a ridiculously hilarious version of Michael Jackson’s “Beat It.” It’s entirely unrecognizable through the first 35 seconds, and he takes Eddie Van Halen’s original solo and puts it on three or four doses of steroids.
The major redeeming factor of this album lies in the fact that Malmsteen hadn’t released a greatest hits album in 10 years, and while many of his best songs were done prior to ’99, it is nice to get a collection of his newer greats. “Caprici di Diablo” is a classic Yngwie song, even having gone so far as making it a downloadable tune in the Xbox version of “Rock Band.” The ballad “Brothers,” one of the few from the ’90s, deserved to be on the album, as it is a beautiful song. “Magic City,” another from one of Malmsteen’s more recent albums, is another stunning, Hendrix-esque piece that shows a ton of emotion – something Malmsteen has always taken flack for lacking in his music. Speaking of Hendrix, the album also includes a live cut of “Red House” that will knock you on your ass, guaranteed.
Unfortunately, aside from “Beat It,” there isn’t enough new content to make this a worthy buy, unless of course you’ve never heard of this guitar monster. If you’re looking to expand your rock n’ roll horizons, or if you’re just a fan of outstanding guitar work, pick this album up.
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