CD Review

Lead guitarist for David Bowie classic albums– Station to Station, David Live, Young Americans and 2003’s Reality – Earl Slick unleashes Zig Zag, his first album of new material in twelve years. Like Bowie, who was no stranger towards having a concoction of accomplished musicians behind the glass; Slick enlists Robert Smith, Joe Elliot, Royston Langdon, Martha Davis, and Bowie himself to add a lyrical dimension to Slick’s sheen guitar world.

With this mix of instrumentals and lyrical compositions the album has two distinct feels – one of vital rock and one of 80’s throwback. But it’s the strong guest vocal numbers, such as Bowie's spectral croon on "Isn’t It Evening," adding a mysterious aura over Slicks’s subtle guitar fades that provids us with some ripe moments. "Believe" featuring the Cure’s Robert Smith’s fragile vocals over Slick’s graceful acoustic guitar chords only make the enhanced synth rock beats a welcomed nuance. But it’s the instrumentals that make Zig Zag a questionable affair– as they are better reserved to complement a visual odyssey. Part late 80’s movie and television soundtrack – these sounds kind of revolve around flat themes. Slick’s chops, although technically and sonically impressive, sound misled in the big mix. If only Slick had a few more vocal guests to make this album a more polished listen.. this would be quite the Zig Zag.