Music
Press
"Michael Garrett may very well have achieved an instrumental guitar masterpiece with his latest effort, Watchful Eye. The sheer tenacity of this album makes it a keeper, but the absolute genius makes it a classic.
The title track launches this album into a brute force frenzy with a fast-paced romp through a metal mesh of crunchy chops and bouncy percussion, giving way to an implicit cornucopia of lead guitar virtuosity. The next few trax keep up the pace nicely with a classy blend of tight, expressive leads wrapped around some monster grooves and surprisingly catchy rhythms.
But, just when you might worry that Watchful Eye is becoming somewhat repetitive, Garrett throws in a little taste of his softer side with "Book Of Life." While the song fluxes between bright and bluesy and neo-classical, it's peppered throughout with a breezy jazz appeal ... like something you might hear in a modern spaghetti western as the hero rides towards the horizon at the end.
Of course, this short vacation of mellow doesn't last long. "Plead Of Insanity" breaks the silence with an earsplitting adventure back into Mike's world of shred. Finally, we close out Watchful Eye with "Costa Azul," which translates to "Blue Coast." This is a beautiful classical Spanish sonata performed by a collaboration of Michael Garrett, Jose Bernardo and Josiah Friessen. It really brings the feel of margaritas and senioritas to mind ... and may be one of my favorite tunes on this record.
Most of what you hear on Watchful Eye was written, performed and produced by Michael Garrett and I believe it's a triumphant follow-up to his 2003 album, Rebirth. The music is moody yet stable, energetic yet emotional ... grungy yet classy. With all of this going on, it's hard to believe the music was written by a sane person ... or is he? Maybe it's just me, but is this album possibly the crème de la crème of its genre? I guess we'll see..."
Added: November 4th 2006
Reviewer: John Foxworthy
Score: 5 Star
Visit Michael Garrett Online at
www.michaelgarrett.net
- Garage Radio
Who would have guessed that Michael Garrett, born on the 4th of July in the year 1967, would turn into this 7-string virtuoso, shredder-extraordinaire, guitar wizard beyond compare, some 40 years down the road. Not only has Michael Garrett been there and done that in his own personal way and style, he has fulfilled his dreams by releasing two independent CD’s to date with no end in sight. His debut CD, Rebirth, was officially released on June 16, 2002, while his latest creation, Watchful Eye, was released at the end of 2006.
Michael was pretty active in music growing up in sunny California. At age 10, he was already playing piano, accordion, and trumpet. He played the trumpet for his Junior High School band, and after three years, left that behind to join the school’s Jazz band as a guitarist. By age 12, he knew guitar was his love. He decided to form his own band and started playing backyard parties and local clubs in no time at all. Pretty soon, that extended to clubs outside the area and even gig’s that were 18 and older (for these, Michael had to leave immediately after finishing the last set). By the late 80’s, Mike spent a good portion of his time recording, writing, and performing music at local shows. Mike finally decided to take the show on the road in the mid 90’s and started playing shows across the United States, Canada, and Mexico for the next six years. He soon discovered how much different it was playing live in front of thousands compared to the local bar and club circuit. Michael found himself venturing off around the mid to late 90’s, writing music for Television commercials, Internet Radio shows, and Professional Wrestling entrance themes. Besides doing all this, Mike enjoyed teaching bass and guitar in his spare time. He was also able to create Jibberjaw Records, which is the recording label company Mike now owns.
Watchful Eye has 9 tracks clocking in at just under a half hour, and falls under the genre of Instrumental Metal. While this may seem short for a 9-song CD, it doesn’t seem that way when listening to it, as each song is very good in its own right. The title track is very powerful coming out of the gate. The song is full of power and emotion in Michael’s guitar playing. He makes it seem as if there are other guitarists playing alongside him. There is one annoying thing to the song, however, and that is the way it suddenly ends. “Scream” sounds like there are 3 guitarists instead of the one … just an incredible sound. Relentless bass and powerful drums with nice cymbal work, combined with Mike’s guitar, makes this another good song. “False Profit” uses a very pronounced deep bass thumb-style, giving it an overall different, but heavy, side to it. “Impostor” puts visions of Peter Frampton in your head when you hear the voice box in this tune. “Book Of Life” is a mellower tune but pleasant to the ear. “Plead Of Insanity” has a fierce attack of guitar with an aggressive bass (not to mention some real good bass runs) and powerful drums, making this another killer track. “Brother Justin” reveals some give and take between the bass and guitar, bass and drums, and guitar and drums … very different and enjoyable. “One World” has strong cymbal work and intense shredding. There are some notes hit in this one that have the cats from the neighborhood lining up. “Costa Azul” really stands out, and is some sort of Spanish Sonata that takes you to a different place ... nice drum and cymbal work featured here.
If there was one fault or dislike in the entire CD, it would have to be the way the eighth song, “One World,” begins and ends. It’s too boring compared to the rest of the CD. If it weren’t for the middle section that saves it, this track would have really been in trouble
MICHAEL GARRETT - Watchful Eye
Jibberjaw Records
Metal Express Rating: 9.0/10
Release Date: 2006-11-20
by: GEORGE FUSTOS
Email: george(at)metalexpressradio(dot)com
- Metal Express
Discography
Rebirth 2002
Watchful Eye 2006
Photos
Bio
Michael Garrett was born in Hollywood California on the 4th of July 1967. Raised and bred an Italian boy in the city of Angels Michael was exposed to the music/entertainment business at a very early age. Influences such as The Beatles, The Scorpions, Michael Schenker, Van Halen, Yngwie Malmsteen, Jimi Hendrix, Randy Rhodes, Sabbath and SRV were among some of Michael's favorite influential artist's.
At the age of 10 Michael was playing the Piano, Accordion and Trumpet. He played the Trumpet for his Junior High School band where he got his first taste of performing music live. After 3 years of performing music as a Trumpet player, Michael decided to leave the Trumpet behind and join the school's jazz band as a Guitarist. Finally finding himself with his Guitar at the age of 12, Michael formed his first group and started to play backyard parties and the local club circuit in Los Angeles Ca. Most of Michael's shows where performed at " no age limit clubs" and when he could get a gig at an 18 and over club, he would play the show and then would have to leave due to the club's restriction's to his age.
In the late 80's Mike spent must of his time recording, writing music or performing local shows.Performing clubs, and outside venues in California were actually becoming a stomping ground for Mike up until the mid 90's. It wasn't until then Mike took his talents outside his home state. Playing shows across the United States, Canada and Mexico were some of the most exciting events Mike has ever experienced and will never forget. Playing to crowd's of over 7,000 people as opposed to a bar or a circuit club in Hollywwod, Mike soon discovered that this magnitude of performance was an extremely different environment .Mike was more than eager to except this new challenge and continued to evolve his dreams performing hundreds of shows in the US ...... and so he did for the next 6 years.
By the mid to late 90's Mike started venturing into writing music for Television commercial, Internet Radio shows and Professional Wrestler entrance themes. Mike also found enjoyment in teaching the guitar and bass guitar in his spear time .In 1997 Mike put together a small demo with some music that he had written as a solo artist and was able to land a development deal with a Indie record label. With this deal Mike was able to create Jibberjaw Records (which is Mikes own recording label).
Determined to continue he's musical endeavors into the millennium, Mike becomes a solo artist/composer designing musical texture for audio/video entertainment(as described in the information section above).Also staying true to his dream, releases 2 independent CD's Rebirth (2002)and Watchful Eye(2006).
Last Year (2006), Mike was very excited to have become an official Apprentice Member of the Game Audio Network Guild which is an establishment designed to educate composer, content providers and listeners throughout the world. It is hear he hopes to continue to create his music and to develop relationships with Video game composer and developers.Ultimately, accomplishing a placement of his music in a major console game, such as XBOX, PLAY STATION, and/or GAME CUBE is the priority goal of achievement.
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