On a purely technical level, Ohio based guitarist Eric Loy is clearly an extraordinary talent. His mastery of the amazing looking harp-guitar alone is something to behold . This can be heard and seen via the videos on this enhanced CD.
He's been teaching for the past two decades and has played with progressive jazz-rock fusion trio called Hipperoos.
For students of guitar, the ten tracks on his latest self released album offer plenty of examples of skills to aspire to.
The problem for the lay listener is that proficiency in an instrument alone does not automatically make for a riveting record. Once you get beyond the 'wow' factor you need some emotional pay off from the music. Unfortunately, most of the tracks sound like showy demonstrations and so wind up being examples of intricate style over substance.
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There are echoes of Pat Metheney on 'Pendulum Park' and tracks 'Gridiron' and 'Depth Charge' are more rock orientated through the bass and drums backing. Yet, ironically, for all the flash and panache, it's the more delicate and melodic solo guitar of tracks Great Commission and Ruins Rise which stand out.
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