WHAT IF

What If is one those albums that doesn't have a single masterful or signature piece, but when you step back after going through it, it's difficult not to be impressed with the sheer variety of styles they sample, and pull off quite well I might add.

They can rock (Take if off the Top), they can prog (Odyssey), they can boogie (Gina Lola Breakdown), they can get funky (Travel Tunes) and they can let off the gas and explore tones (Night Meets Light) and moods (What If). Each of these tracks is a highlight, and that covers most of the album. Thus, this is an excellent album!

Dixie Dregs has a perfect lineup for this album as well, with a very flexible drummer, a tasteful keyboarder who can lead or back, a violinist who adds great texture and harmony with the guitar, and a solid bassist who they fortunately have turned up to more than audible levels.

And then we have Steve Morse. Just like Gentle Giant could play most styles better than bands who play only that style, Morse can easily cover everything from oozing, Holdsworth-style notes to good ol' country picking to classic rock soloing and power chording. He's just one of my faves. If he had gotten some classic rock exposure, he might be as well-known as the Claptons of this world, and certainly at the very least on par in notoriety with the likes of Joe Walsh and such.

Just a great mix--though rarely great at any one point--of music, with a little southern country flavor to taste. I'd recommend this to any fusion, classic rock, or guitar rock fan.