Reeves Gabrels is a talented, sometimes inspiring guitarist saddled with the reputation of riding on
David Bowie's coattails. Unfortunately, while
The Sacred Squall of Now provided the perfect opportunity for
Gabrels to step up and carve his own identity, he instead plays right into the sycophancy allegation.
Grabels makes full use of his position as chief string-bender for
Bowie side project/plaything
Tin Machine to call in a few markers.
Frank Black,
Jeffrey Gaines,
Charlie Sexton, and actor
Gary Oldman all take guest turns, with
Bowie himself vocalizing a pair. Instrumentally, the disc works as a more accessible
Tin Machine, dropping the "boys-night-out" yobbo histrionics in favor of something altogether more refined and stimulating. As such, exotic instrumentals like "Hushu" and "Firedome" make for great sonics. There's also an interesting wall of guitars/heavy metal viola treatment ladled over
CCR's "Bad Moon Rising." The chief problem starts when
Reeves opens his mouth. As a singer/songwriter,
Gabrels makes a fine guitarist. ~ Roch Parisien