“Little Brother is Watching”
Bumblefoot
Produced by: Bumblefoot
Label: Bumblefoot Music
Tracks: 11
Our Score: 3 out of 5 stars
“Little Brother is Watching” is the latest solo release from guitarist/producer/songwriter Ron “Bumblefoot” Thal. The 10th solo release in a career dating back to the late 1980’s “Little Brother is Watching” is an eccentric, upbeat collection of modern rock that incorporates haunting melodies, huge choruses and witty lyrics about life in the digital age. Bumblefoot takes you on a musical journey that will light up your senses.
Tracks such as the albums opener “Clots” come roaring through the speakers with Bumblefoot’s signature frantic approach and instantly set the stage for what’s to come. On tracks such as “Little Brother is Watching” Bumblefoot enlists the help of a 100 voices to carry out the haunting background. The various voices which were recording during a special listening session add a unique appeal to the album as you never know when these elements might creep in. Probably my favorite track off the album is the laid back “Don’t Know Who to Pray to Anymore”. The track opens up with a George Harrison esque guitar solo reminiscent of “My Guitar Gently Weeps” before traversing down a more bluesy avenue which ultimately explodes into a full on rock ballad. This song alone makes the album worth giving it a listen. Other notables that I enjoyed were carnival tinged “Cuterebra” and the straight forward chugging power of “Never Again”.
Though the album might lack cohesiveness it makes up for it with its energy as the chaotic styling’s of Bumblefoot and company will certainly be appreciated by long time fans and the uniqueness of the albums 11 tracks could be enough to grab the attention of new listeners.
Track Listing:
1.) Clots
2.) Little Brother is Watching
3.) Argentina
4.) Don’t Know Who to Pray to Anymore
5.) Livin’ the Dream
6.) Cuterebra
7.) Higher
8.) Women Rule the World
9.) Sleepwalking
10.) Eternity
11.) Never Again