Audio CD review:
Michael Schenker Group - Arachnophobiac

Michael Schenker Group - Arachnophobiac

Band: Michael Schenker Group Title: Arachnophobiac Rating: Release Date: 2003-06-17 Media: Audio CD Tracks: 1: Evermore 2: Illusion 3: Arachnophobiac 4: Rock and Roll Believer 5: Sands of Time 6: Weathervane 7: Over Now 8: One World 9: Break the Cycle 10: Alive 11: Fatal Strike

Superb - Much Better than Some of the Reviewers Imply I believe that Michael still wrote the music despite not playing lead on four of the tracks (because the divorce got to him like it would to anybody), and the music is first class. That Michael could bring out an album of this quality whilst in the middle of a divorce is amazing. To begin with, this is bluesy, guttsy, deep-south style rock with an emphasis on power and immediacy. It is very 'un-Germanic', proving Schenker's extreme versatility, and also miles away from his 'West-Coast' sounds when he was with Robin McAuley. In other words, Schenker used his time in the States to develop not one new style but at least two new styles. Arachnophobiac is the most 'deep south' of all of Schenker's records - which means that Billy Gibbons is perhaps the closest parallel one could name. In my view, though, Schenker delivers to a higher level than Gibbons - almost as if to say 'this is how it's done mate'! The album opens with Evermore which is a great solid openner with plenty of riffage and dirty guitar sound. Illusion is a superb follow-up with a wonderful intro, and an amazing guitar outro that picks up on and develops the solo from the middle of the track. Arachnophobiac is amazing riff-wise, and very humourous - reminiscent of Wierd Al Yankovitch (however you spell that name) lyric-wise. Rock and Roll Believer is a stand out track in my view with an excellent dirty guitar solo. With Sands of Time and Weathervane, Schenker really goes 'deep south' in the guitar sound - these tracks are all about the riffs. Over Now is very much a ballad, and a welcome slowing of the pace. One World provides an excellent example of Schenker trying out his new deep-south soloing style - so unlike his traditional sounds. Break the Cycle is an excellent rock singalong and has Jeff Watson playing lead (Jeff plays on 3,5,7,9). Alive is a fast track and the favourite of one reviewer I read. For me though it is the one weaker song on the album - except for its evangelistic note of which I approve. Fatal Strike is a great anthemic track to round off the album. When purchasing this album - and I reckon you should - don't think of the previous album Be Aware of Scorpions, which is completely different. Be Aware of Scorpions in some senses takes Schenker's European sound to its limits - compositional complexity, brilliant breathtaking virtuosity, and a clean sound. Arachnophobiac, however, is like the kind of album that you'd record after having your face pushed into the dust by a bunch of rednecks. It is played 'from the dust up' as it were (reflecting Schenker's divorce probably) - that's it: if guitarwise Be Aware of Scorpions beams down from the highest reified parts of the stratosphere, Arachnophobiac chews on dust and gravel without losing any of the virtuosity. It is not even a 'down to earth' album so much as an 'I'm already down in the dust but I'm looking to get up and give you some rocks to chew on pal' album. It's Schenker at his rawest and dirtiest, and its flippin' marvelous. . Micheal does not have it anymore I have heard every piece of recorded material that is commerically avaiable that he has played on, this is truely the bottom of the barrel. I have seen Michael live on several occasions, I have met him. He plain has run out of ideas, getting Jeff Watson to cover for him is crazy. another great schenker record an over all great record. this is another great record since bewhere of scorpions, michael schenker seems to reinvent himself on every record,and this one is great,jeff watson was a great guest,and schenker was very happy to have him fill in. I have to say that this is the best record I have heard this year,it craps on the new ufo, even though I like ufo with vinnie moore,there is just nobody that creates music like schenker. so go out and buy this record. Melodyophobiac........ Schenker shares lead guitar duties with ex-Night Ranger guitarist, Jeff Watson (Watson plays lead on 4 tracks). A pretty disappointing listen after the excellent album "Beware Or Scorpions". The fact that Night Ranger is even mentioned in this review is an immmediate removal of 2 stars. Not that Watson is a bad guitarist, but the album title says Michael Schenker Group, not Schenker-Watson Group. When I buy Schenker, I expect Schenker. 100%, Unadulterated, Pure "Mad Axeman" and I will accept no substitute! (Okay deep breath). The songs here lean toward run of the mill AOR Metal; absent of any of the great melodies and harder edge that made "Beware Of Scorpions" such a good album. Chris Logan is a great vocalist, and he reminds me of a deeper voiced Ian Gillan of Deep Purple, but his vocal talents can't save the poor songwriting. Finally, Schenker's guitar sounds very "digitalized". By that I mean very compressed and transitorized, absent of any warmth and tone (like you get from a Marshall Stack or tube amp) usually present in Michael's playing. Technically Schenker is awesome, but there is just something about the overall sound here that is just "not right". If you have listened to a lot of albums from Varney's Shrapnel label, you'll know what I'm talking about. It's almost like the albums are recorded "anti-live". Consequently Schenker's trademark guitar playing & tone come off very generic. The one bright spot is the balls out rocker "Rock & Roll Believer". It sounds extremely similar to "Oh My" from UFO's "Phenomenon" album with some great rock 'n' roll rhythm guitar and a killer solo from Schenker. But alas, it's not enough to redeem this album from mediocrity. My hope, as a huge UFO and Michael Schenker fan, is Schenker will dump his current label, and if he can't hook up with Mogg & Way, at least find a producer worthy of his talents. . . . Rick Rubin are you listening?. Michael Schenker: Don't let Chris Logan slip away!!!! From start to finish Arachnophobiac has given me total enjoyment with each listen. I've always been a fan of Michael Schenker's music and this album has proven itself to be another one of his great works. I'm so glad he's finally found a singer that can do his songs justice and keep on delivering the goods every time. Note to Michael: Keep this Chris Logan dude! Don't let him slip away like you did Gary Barden and Robin McAulley because I want the next MSG album to be just as great as the last two! Those who have made such unimaginably negative comments here about this album are obviously no fans of Michael Schenker, past present or future. Order this album and you'll be just as dumbfounded once you hear it. You'll find youself back here adding more 5 STAR reviews to the list! Highly recommended to anyone who appreciates quality rock & roll ! Rock on MSG!. You can see a complete list of all Michael Schenker Group discography, or go back to the Michael Schenker Group tabs