Metal

This is an excellent release from guitarist-extraordinaire Preston Reed. Fans of Michael Hedges may cry foul when first hearing this, however, it should be noted that Reed was playing his percussive, hand-tapping approach in the early '80s, too. Despite being a technical marvel he never sounds mechanical. Rather, Reed creates memorable melodies with shifting percussive patterns that give the selections an organized, but relaxed feel. Whether playing new age ("Stonecutter"), ethnic ("Tribes"), or his own self-defining style ("Metal," "Train"), he proves that his name belongs on the same lists that would include the likes of Tuck Andress or Michael Hedges. Required listening for guitarists of any style, or fans of beautiful acoustic.