I hate the word "montage". For those of you that are unfamiliar with the term, it means...well, a mish-mash. Basically, when you have a montage, you throw a bunch of things together in an effort to convey a message or theme that is greater than the sum of its parts. For example, at your grandma's 50th wedding anniversary party, you might put together a montage of pictures, to show a simple and brief scope of their last 50 years together. Anyway, to the music.

MARCEL COENEN is the guitarist for the Dutch (Goldmember) band SUN CAGED. This is his sophomore solo release. Marcel takes a road less traveled by solo guitarists, creating a full-fledged record complete with live musicians, and a slew of European "all-star" vocalists from bands like CLOUDSCAPE, ELLEANORE, PERSEPHONE’S DREAM, and EXIT 22 to name a few. But strangely, these assembled tracks do not have a sense of coherence or similarity. Marcel puts together a montage (there’s that damned word again!) of songs ranging from ballads, to instrumentals, to jazz fusion, to rock to metal, you name it. Each song could stand alone, but shoved together into the grouping that makes up “Colour Journey”, it forms the impression of an audition rather than a finished product. I can see him now in front of a small group, being first asked to play some jazz, then metal, then solo a bit, then play a lullaby, then a little noodling, some progressive shit, etc.

Don’t get it wrong, he is a great guitar guy, and his songwriting skills are top-notch, but there seems to be a lack of direction here, or perhaps too many directions. This is a release that should come 10 years and 5 solo albums from now so his name is firmly established, and the die-hard fans will take a big bite outa this one. Average fans will be alienated by the lack of flow this record has. Great tracks, just not all together like this, it makes for a particularly hard listen.

The funky jazz-inspired “Skill Factor”, showcases Marcel’s great axe work, even on the softer side, along with his lack of selfishness in adding fancy bass work and drumming to the mix. You almost have to light up a cigarette after you hear this one. The ultra-heavy “Traumatized to the Bone” is a stellar example of the extreme side of Coenen’s playing, complete with death metal vocals and cascading riffs galore.

The purist that must own the essential guitar records also must own this one. But standard fans of the genre beware, this isn't as cohesive as it could be.

- Murtaugh

OFFICIAL SITE: www.marcelcoenen.com

MP3 SOUND SCRAP: Colour Journey Sampler

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