Victor Gann
Victor Gann

September 2008
Released: 2006, Self-Released
Rating: 3.5/5
Reviewer: Chaosankh

Victor Gann is a Texas based instrumental guitar player with influences clearly rooted in Vai, Satriani, and Eric Johnson. Although the press kit that accompanies his self-titled CD highlights his extensive training and wide-ranging hired gun work, anyone who actually hears his music wouldn’t even need to be told those facts. Fans of highly melodic guitar work, or just good rock music in general, should take note of this rising guitar hero.



The album opens with a classic Joe Satriani sounding jam, “Four on the Floor.” This song is a high octane, happy upbeat sounding tune reminiscent of Satriani’s best know track, “Summer Song.” The leads featured herein grab you like vocal melodies and imprint themselves upon your brain immediately. The second track, “Just Another Day?” is probably the most forced-sounding track on the album with a structure not as well-conceived as the rest of the tracks with a few runs that sound a bit robotic. “Migraine (S.O.S.)” is a low key song compared to the first two tracks with some nice, cutting leads over slow clean guitar parts. Suggesting the serenity of new life, “Shannon with Child” is the most graceful moment of the collection, featuring gentle picking with subtle, beautiful lead work, offering a perfect track to play while lulling the baby to sleep when it arrives. Things end with another high energy shred fest reminiscent of the first track with “Not Now!,” leaving the listener on a high note.



Guitar instrumental albums are only good when they feature a good diversity of tracks that don’t get bogged down in one style for too long. The good albums also have songs that are distinctive with leads that you will remember when the track is over. Victor Gann’s self-titled EP is both of these things, making it a worthwhile piece for anyone who enjoys electric rock guitar virtuosos.