Robin Trower – What Lies Beneath
MVD
www.trowerpower.com

Rating: B+

Robin Trower is back with a new collection of music that is part classic Trower, part blues and part guitar instrumental smoothie.  Trower also tackles the vocals on this album, something he has toyed with in the past but not totally committed to.  This time around, his smoky vocals, remind one a of Dire Straits Mark Knoppler, bring a calming coolness to the album.  

What Lies Beneath starts off with a tune that should expect to be nominated for a Grammy for Best Instrumental Performance, titled “Wish You Were Mine.”  In classic Trower style, the guitar weaves it’s way through the song, hypnotizing the listener.  The title track, one of the albums best, showcases Robin’s unique vocals in tandem with his trademark guitar sound.  The albums epic track, “As You Watch Each City Fall” is a two-part tune with part two being instrumental, allowing Trower to amaze the listener with his playing.  He sounds as if he is doing so little when in fact he is doing so much – not an easy feat for a musician to accomplish.  In other words, he makes it look easy.

“Buffalo Blues” is a traditional blues jam while “Once the Spell is Broken” is a thought provoking tune with lyrics that match the music’s virtuosity.  The album continues to shine with “Time and Emotion,” another slow blues where Trower does what he does best – play the guitar.  “Skin and Bone” is a rocker that harkens back to the Live days in terms of guitar prowess.   

This is the best album Trower has released in years and can easily be described as a masterpiece.  The music is not groundbreaking and it is not necessarily outside the box.  It is, however, superbly written, flawlessly executed and passionately performed.  The CD, in addition to containing great music, sonically, sounds very good.  This one is a winner from start to finish.   

By Jeb Wright