A Phoenix from the Ashes: Shouse’s ‘Jaded’ is a Triumphant Return After 15 Years
2 min read
After a quiet fifteen-year hiatus, Shouse (Michael Stephen Shouse) makes a spectacular comeback to the instrumental rock scene by combining the sheer virtuosic prowess and compositional talent to an extent unsurpassed. The album is more than just an album; it is a declaration of resilience, which emerged following personal tragedy- a house fire, a breakup, the pandemic – and has been polished into a perfect gem of musical multifacetedness. It is not just a compilation of songs but a finely designed trip that takes the guitar-based instrumental music beyond the limits, in terms of realizing the length of the project, as well as the extent of the extravagant lineup of guest stars who make the project an epic. The record is a tutorial on skill and harmony. Tracks like the nominally-surprisingly pleasant and invitingly accessible “Smiley Faced Emoji” offer a surprisingly differing contrast. The drumming of Charlie Zeleny, contrasted seemingly unassailably with the bassing of James Amhelio Pulli, keeps the rhythm section bound and firm, with which pyrotechnical strumming of the guitar can flit and swerve. Both compositions are very rich and rewarding mazes, and they require multiple listens to really unfold the many layers and strata involved.
“Jaded” (Title Track): The tremendous lead track is the album’s flagship and its statement piece. The arrangement is also structurally interesting with 70 key changes, mainly progressing between Major and Harmonic Minor. This could easily descend into klutz in less worthy hands, but Shouse skillfully utilizes generally employed tones to elaborate a united and mournful melody that steers the listener over the shift of the harmonic country. The guest solos — including face-melting turns from Michael Angelo Batio, Ron “Bumblefoot” Thal, and Tony MacAlpine — aren’t merely technical demonstrations, but have been woven seamlessly into the track’s intricate arrangement, being a true milestone in modern guitar craft with “Jaded”. Smiley Faced Emoji: Shouse gives himself another challenge, this time creating a track featuring more than 30 key changes, yet limits himself to the major pentatonic scale — a scale he admits he rarely uses. The effect is one of the victory of composition over technique. The major pentatonic is a cheerful, familiar, and harmonious sound against which the mellow, sophisticated harmonic background is really distinctive and breathtaking. The song is both intellectually intense and upbeat, and it proves that mighty innovations in the musical sphere could be absolutely entertaining.
Produced perfectly and mixed and mastered by Nashville legend Billy Decker, every note and every performance shine through with quality audio. Jaded is not just a comeback, it is also a definitive artistic statement. After several years of silence, Shouse is now back not to play the game, but rather to reinvent it altogether. To the enthusiast of instrumental playing by the guitar, this is a must, a classic.
English