QUANTUM GUITAR

Quantum Guitar is in many ways a typical latter day, instrumental Steve Howe album. It was his first proper studio album since 1993's The Grand Scheme Of Things, and coming out about the same time as Yes' The Ladder. Quantum Guitar does not hold up very well in this connection. While it is absolutely not poor in any way - it is indeed well written and very well performed music - it lacks the sense of urgency and excitement required for a good album. With a running time of a full hour, it is too long for its own good. No individual piece is bad at all, but as a whole this album is not very strong. It tends to feel more than a bit samey towards the middle.

Also, the band feeling present on albums like the aforementioned The Grand Scheme Of Things and the later Elements is lacking here. Indeed, the only other musician involved in Steve's son, Dylan Howe on drums. Dylan is not bad, but he is not Bill Bruford or Alan White. The bass and keyboards, played by Steve himself, are not very present and rather timid. It is the guitars that take centre stage here, which, after all, is not too surprising on an album titled Quantum Guitar. However, even the guitars are often rather timid and do not at all have the powerful sound we all know and love from Steve's days in Yes, Asia, GTR and ABWH. Overall, the sound becomes rather light weight, even on those pieces intended to rock.

There are several good moments on the album, and even more moments where I feel that it could have been good if it had the right sound and was played with a bit more enthusiasm. But Quantum Guitar represents Steve Howe on auto pilot.

Therefore, this is only for Steve's more dedicated fans!