Tender Surrender (Steve Vai ‘Alien Love Secrets’)

I love Alien Love Secrets but don’t know why it appeals to me more than Vai’s other work. I adore lavish and complex productions and yet this is almost only Vai, bass and drums thoughout. There’s some amazing stuff on this album and Vai is on fine form, from amazing filter effects, blinding runs, grinding riffs, sharp and gorgeous chord work and doubling baby talk to playing some of the most expressive rock guitar I’ve ever heard. If God wanted to play guitar he would ask Stevie round. Tender Surrender will forever break my heart. Absolutely phenomenal stuff.

The Galactic Ballerina (Warren Cuccurullo ‘Th@nks 2 Fr@nk’)

This was one of my favourite albums of the 90s and possibly my favourite instrumental rock guitar album ever. That’s right, even more so than Satch, Vai etc. Cuccurullo (and the sublime and always awesome Vinnie Coliauta) are just phenomenal on this record from the start to the end. It’s as good a rock guitar album as you’re ever likely to find. I’m not sure I could live without this one. Any of the tracks on the record could have been my pick but Galactic Ballerina is maybe my personal fave as it weaves chords through different time sigs until breaking down to a stunning solo section. Highly recommended.

Sex Sleep Eat Drink Dream (King Crimson ‘THRAK’)

What a riff this is! Ok, technically it was first heard the year before on the Vroom EP but for me it was the highlight of Thrak. The instrumental section on this is just immense. Even more so when you’re lucky enough to get to see the double trio do it live. Just amazing stuff. Other highlights on the record are the Vrooms and the displaced 5s-til-yer-sick THRAK.

Lifter (Deftones ‘Adrenaline’)

I didn’t get into Deftones until a few years ago. I am soooo freakin’ slow on the uptake sometimes. Much heavier then than now and arguably less articulate, Adrenaline is a brilliant album that paved the way for an awful lot of not so good copycats. Lifter reminds me of something Tool might do but is awesome in a way that maybe only Deftones could manage. Deftones are one of my fave acts and I wish I’d been a fan for longer. One of the inspirations for running this 5-for-the-Weekend thing!!

Baluchitherium (Van Halen ‘Balance’)

I think by the time Balance was released patience was either run out or running out with fans and the Hagar Halen. OU812 and For Unlawful Carnal Knowledge had been disappointing and so expectation for Balance wasn’t that high. Balance was a much better effort, maybe even the best of the Hagar era but it was plain to see the VH mojo was AWOL. These records weren’t particularly bad'¦ it was just that VH had produced such magic in the past. There were some magic moments on Balance in my opinion. A little too late, I’d ran out of patience and I never really got into the album even though I could see it wasn’t too bad. Baluchitherium was a little guitar instrumental where Ed got to play some lovely stuff and remind us why we love him so much and why we will never ever give up on him!

I’m slowing up because it is getting harder and harder to find my 5 inspiring guitar recordings as we step through the 90s. That’s not say there aren’t any good albums or guitar players, it’s more a failing of my listening habits through the 90s. Which was effectively Frank Zappa and little else.

So all recommendations are more than welcome!!

Have a good week folks!
P.