As the title of his latest release declares, it appears that Lance Lopez has taken his own advice and "simplified" his musical vision. The result is a stripped-down, high-performance, nitro-burning thrill ride - a tricked-out musical funny car that'll blow your head off and psychefunkadelicize your mind. This set's got it ALL: trad-to-rad Hendrixian tonalities, dreamy, melodic psychedelic soundscapes, emotive vocal shadings reminiscent of the late, great Curtis Mayfield, sledgehammer-heavy grooves, funky low-down wah-wah feels that'd make George Clinton jealous and jaw-dropping, turbo-charged lead chops are all on vivid display - seamlessly woven together to create a richly diverse sonic tapestry that is all at once devastating and sublime. This cat stands on the shoulders of giants...from an amalgam of his many influences and his own sense of style and identity, he has carefully crafted a singular musical vision, creating a dig that is totally his own - not an easy task in a heavy guitar scene dominated by imitators, clones, overblown hype and manufactured image. This guy came to play...and play he does. Without a doubt, "Simplify Your Vision" will be remembered as the release that firmly established Lance Lopez as a true heavyweight in the ongoing guitar wars. While each tune is a groovefest unto itself, one standout track is a retool of Robert Johnson's classic "Stones in my Passway" - a vicious groove that lays in hard and keeps turning up the heat until Lance cuts into an incredibly powerful machine gun-phrased solo that blows the lid completely off. This is some truly amazing fretwork, and the fact that this track was recorded live - no overdubs - underscores the true artistry on display here, and is a testimony to brother Lance and his more-than-capable bandmates. Fuckin' A! For all you guitar slingers out there who think you're ready to go head-to-head with the likes of Lance Lopez, you'd better take his advice and "Simplify Your Vision" - it's your one and only chance to cut and run. If you think you can cut heads with this cat, you're in way over your head...the last man standing ain't gonna be you. You're going down...hard. You've been warned...
JIMMY RYAN (TRUTH SQUAD) (3.06)
From out of nowhere comes another great find from planet Peacedogman: LANCE LOPEZ! This is the bluesy, funky guitar heavy rock that I had been craving, but thought was extinct. Think KENNY WAYNE SHEPHERD minus all the BS songwriting aimed at FM rock radio airplay. Actually, the KWS equation isn’t entirely accurate. I scratched my head at all the comparisons I was making as the disc spun. CLUTCH? LIVING COLOUR? HENDRIX? LED ZEP? JAMES BROWN? PRINCE? It’s all in there, dude. “Day of Dreams†starts the disc out with an explosion of sound, as a fanfare of phased guitar/drum effects signal the beginning of what guarantees to be an enjoyable listening experience. It doesn’t take long for that bluesy vibe to set in. LL’s rhythm section is all pocket, supplying the perfect foot tappin’ back beat for Mr. Lopez’ six string heroics. Just listen to the title track, as the band wastes no time going for the jugular in the heaviest groove this side of Bonham. The front of your brain will be bruised from all the head-bobbin’ goin’ on. Lance’s talent doesn’t solely lie on the fretboard, either. I’m certain many strippers have been wooed back to the Lopez abode by his deep, laid-back, soulful vocal delivery. Whenever these cats delve into a different style, it makes sense. Tracks “Move,†“Shake Joint†and “Tricktafied†bring the funk in a major way, but every song still sounds like it’s coming from the same group of guys. Not so easy to do, as I’m sure any musician can tell ya. If you’re a fan of any of the artists mentioned, you should really give LL a shot. Put this one on, fire up the lava lamp as you enjoy your favorite alcoholic beverage and/or inhalant, and get ready to have your vision simplified!
peacedogman.com (2006)I edited my profile with Thomas' Myspace Editor V4.4/A
