FLASH

This is a rather disappointing album from the Jeff Beck I've grown to know and love. It is absolutely nothing like his instrumental fusion albums of the 70's and is quite a lackluster accumulation of talent given that it features such stars as Rod Stewart, Jan Hammer, Jimmy Hall and Carmen Appice. Aside from two or three tracks, it is little more than 80's pop rock with Jeff Beck playing on it. I've come to terms with one of the pop tracks, "Gets Us All In The End", which is a comically typical 80's power ballad that can be fun to sing along to. There is only one song that I'd consider strong, which is the first instrumental, "Escape". If you don't have any qualms with 80's-sounding production and drum machines, then it comes across as a very atmospheric guitar-driven piece that wouldn't sound out of place on "There And Back" or "Guitar Shop". To reiterate, if you're a fan of the progressive rock and jazz fusion, this album would not be for you. If you're a fan of Jeff Beck, this album would not be for you. If you fit into either of those two categories, however, give "Escape" a listen and consider downloading the individual song on iTunes; the whole album just isn't worth an investment from anyone.