Guitar solos making a comeback??

[Christoph]

For those of you who listen to popular "rock" music (I know that most of you don't . . .), do you think that the guitar solo is making a comeback?

I've noticed that a lot of the new music (i.e. Tool, Tantric, Godsmack, Nickleback) actually has guitar solo bridges. Not the stupid 80's "mastubatory" kind, but smooth solos that actually follow the mood of the song and add to its overall musicality.

What do ya'll think?

[educatedfilm]

I agree with you about tool... but I'm sooo glad it's not 80's ego feeding, and is something that adds to the music...
I'm not so sure about nickelback though (just in general)..

[fenderwez]

i believe theyre coming back slowly but surely. moshers don't wanna show off so these punk bands dont feel right doin' solos. however, people are starting to realise that playing chords and doing the odd arpegio isn't that hard. so people are starting to want more. trust me, when im famous i'll do loads of solos and improve the requirements for all you bands out there- BE WARNED!!!

[Benoit]

I got to say I don't listen to popular music a lot but I hope solos are making a come back.

I don't know if where you guys live it's the same as here but the popular radio station has a tendencie of cutting off solos from songs. This bugs me a lot. It seems solos are making songs too long for radio and from their point of view it's kind of useless. Talk about insulting a guitarist.

I hate radio mix.

[Andrey^]

Well, I'd say solos were always around, it's just a matter of what the public likes at a particular point in time. I mean, just like metal is more popular now than it was a couple years ago. So I'd say that it's a trend thing that the rock bands with guitar solos are more popular now even thought they've always been around. People just didn't notice them.

[James]

Originally posted by Benoit

I don't know if where you guys live it's the same as here but the popular radio station has a tendencie of cutting off solos from songs.

Man that's such BS... I can't believe they would have the nerve to hack up someone's peice of art. If i wrote a song and someone played it without the solo without first recieving my consent, I'd go down to the station and raise some serious hell.

[Christoph]

Originally posted by Benoit
. . . the popular radio station has a tendencie of cutting off solos from songs.

Yeah, the song "Astounded" by Tantric has an awesome acoustic guitar solo at the beginning of the bridge, but on the radio edit, it's always cut out. They left in the electric solo that follows it, but still! . . . like James said, you can't go hacking up people's works.

[Raskolnikov]

The version of Aeroplane (Red Hot Chili Peppers) that I usually hear on the radio has a shortened intro, and both the Guitar and Bass solos are cut in half.

Oh, I get miffed when I hear that. Enough to call the station and grill the DJ fa little.

[Led Zeppelin]

The Strokes have a couple of nice solos on their album and their been called "the saviours of rock n' roll" or something like that(they are here anyway).

The new Oasis album should be huge, Noel always has a few solos.

The new Guns N' Roses album should be huge too, the record coapny will need to make back all the money they spent on it ($8 million apparently), thatll definitely have solos.

[kingdavid]

Originally posted by fenderwez
.....when im famous....
That's the attitude.

[kingdavid]

Originally posted by educatedfilm

I'm not so sure about nickelback though (just in general)..

Me too,in some way.Like in How You Remind me ,although this isn't really a solo:don't you think that part,after the second chorus,where it's only that prs playing,it would have sounded better if it had been done with an acoustic.I dunno,or maybe some slightly faster(is deeper the word)strumming.

[Elmo45]

How is that album? I read some good things about them.

[Benoit]

I like the album. There's a really good song about violence against women (which I totally despise).

But don't listen to me, I'm canadian. I'll always stand by canadian artist :)

[lalimacefolle]

If solos make a comeback, what's gonna do Britney while her guitar player plays it? Dude...

[James]

Imagine if in one of Britney's live performances she slung on a guitar and played some Malmsteen?... heh... Totally off topic but kind of nuts to think about.

[Raskolnikov]

Originally posted by lalimacefolle
If solos make a comeback, what's gonna do Britney while her guitar player plays it? Dude...

Britney Spears concerts are about music?
Since when?

[fuhrysteve]

whenever anyone plays a guitar solo now i've noticed on the "radio-worthy" songs (excuse me while i fart) there is nothing in them. first of all, they only go along with the melody of the song, it is not the 'expression of a guitarist' (good call, whoever called a guitar solo that earlier...) that it is intended (in my mind) to be. I feel guitar solos should blend in with the song, but have it's own emotion tied into it... I'm sixteen, and i'm workin on vai stuff, i've built technique, (i just have a little ways to go before i'm satisfied with that for a while) and i'm in the process of figuring this out, how you can play a solo, and have it really satisfy you... like writing a poem to a poet, or lyrics or sumpthin, but it's different, it's deeper, and you don't hafto worry about saying something that you don't think even makes sense to you and makes you want to put yourself into an insaneasylum. well, that's my little thought dudes, party on, God bless---
-Steve Fuhry----christian dude who solos------------------

[Seiko_Hejiro]

There are two things you will commonly hear in a contemporary pop music that claims to have a "solo" these days...

A.) Something that involves octaved chords played in a raising or lowering succession. With massive attemps to strum the octaved notes fast so it sounds "cooler".

B.) Some bent notes and a slow meoldy of some sort. This usually involves some asshole on a wah doing the Kirk Hammett thing, no offense to Kirk's ability, he's farly good and can actually play a decent solo.

Those two little bits in my book count as leads or melodies as most people refer to them, not solos. Sure one instrument (usually a guitar) is playing the melody but that doesn't make it a solo. That means that someone had to play the melody, which equals one of the guitarists (if the band even has two) breanches off and plays it.

I'd have to say Guitar solos are not making a come back. I haven't heard much on the radio ever that does, as far as contemporary pop music on the radio goes. Anyhow that's my biased stance on that issue. Good Day.

[Edited by Seiko_Hejiro on 02-17-2002 at 05:02 PM]

[lalimacefolle]

Dude, don't listen to the radio. I hear contemporary artist who actually shred!! Don't get me wrong, I'm not talking about guys who forgot it wasn't the 80's anymore, but listen to this:

http://www.freakkitchen.com/downloads/mp3/spanking_02.mp3
That's freack kitchen

Now here:
http://www.ronthal.com/sounds/RonThal-solo-1999-unknown.mp3
That's Ron thal.

They aren't shredders in the 80's way, but they rock, and their music sounds exciting and fresh.

[Elmo45]

Let's just give props to the guys that are still putting out REAL Guitar based albums and leave the radio trash to decay on the ears of the less informed.

[Raskolnikov]

Originally posted by Elmo45
Let's just give props to the guys that are still putting out REAL Guitar based albums and leave the radio trash to decay on the ears of the less informed.

Hey, nice to see you back.

[Christoph]

God I hope we don't go back to the "look at me, I can play guitar so fast" 80's days.

All those long-shanked bumbleheads forgot that music is about composition and feeling, rather than how many notes you can cram into a measure. That's why none of them are around any more . . .

[fuhrysteve]

i'm likin the no listening to radio these days. i listen to some like 60's-80's stations, but even they put on some newer stuff that isn't that great, and even some older stuff that isn't that great. best way to go is just listen to mp3's i think. party on all

[Raskolnikov]

Originally posted by Christoph
God I hope we don't go back to the "look at me, I can play guitar so fast" 80's days.

All those long-shanked bumbleheads forgot that music is about composition and feeling, rather than how many notes you can cram into a measure. That's why none of them are around any more . . .

Well, I think there's a place for that kind of playing...

But one needs the taste to know when and where it is.

[educatedfilm]

there is a time and place for speed, your right.. but it should be tantalising, short, and sweet.... having said that i have used tapping for rythem, which actually sounded really cool, but the timing was a pain in the back side... but it shouldn't be predictable or cheeeeeeeeeeesy....
Personally I like hearing a song with a decent solo that FITS, like the solo on "i wanna be sedated" wich is one note... which works well, and the solo on "all along the watch tower" (the one that goes slide -wah - panning) which is very cool that FITS with the rest of the song... too many times i hear a song with a solo wich feels out of place (like "undone the sweater song" by weezer)...

[fuhrysteve]

very true Rask, another prime example i think can be found in Steve Vai's Blue Powder, in the beginning, he moves in slowly, then he does this sweep that i love to do so much, and it is very fast, but sounds very good and it doesn't sound like out of nowhere like some of the other '80's guys.

what do you guys think of that? agree?

[Christoph]

Originally posted by Raskolnikov
But one needs the taste to know when and where it is.


True . . . and the 80's rockers definitely did not.

I like fast stuff sometimes (like Satch, Vai, John P), but I just can't stand listening to any of that 80's crap anymore. It just sounds so ridiculous.


By the way, Eddie, I know what you mean about Lost Prophets. They've got some good grooves, but their singer is terrible.

[educatedfilm]

YEAAAAAAHHHH, some one who agrees... the riff on "shinobi vs dragon ninja" (i think it's on bass, but bands de-tuning so much these days i find it difficult to tell) is fantastic, the singing is almost like that off a boy band.. I dont know, they may still be trying to find them selves, but for me, they really need to get rid of the note perfect cheesy harmonies... Yeah, that's probably the best song on the album, and it took em 20 minutes to write.. which i think is a good example sometimes you ccan over think stuff, and you process it too much..

[Raskolnikov]

I like guitar cheese too; it's just a matter of knowing when it fits (as Ed said). Binge and Grab (Instrumental Version) by Buckethead is a great example.

[Joseph]

I think what's going on is that most musicians are once again beginning to realize that playing a guitar solo isn't all being egotistical, it's about representing a certain part of your personality that no one else can emulate. Yes, the guitar solo is gradually making a comeback, on radio, and in videoland. It's great!

-Joseph

[fuhrysteve]

Originally posted by Joseph
...playing a guitar solo isn't all being egotistical...
-Joseph

i think that the fact of the matter is they don't have the technique to solo, then comes the 'i don't wanna show off bit.' i think they probibly use that as an excuse to never build any technique. (not that technique is everything...)

[Edited by fuhrysteve on 02-20-2002 at 04:02 PM]

[Raskolnikov]

Originally posted by fuhrysteve
Originally posted by Joseph
...playing a guitar solo isn't all being egotistical...
-Joseph

i think that the fact of the matter is they don't have the technique to solo, then comes the 'i don't wanna show off bit.' i think they probibly use that as an excuse to never build any technique. (not that technique is everything...)

For some people yes, for others no. I know people who almost never play solos and will flat out tell you that they don't like to play them who will still knock your socks off when they actually do decide to play one.

[Joseph]

However, I think as musicians we're slowly beginning to realize once again that longevity is more important than instant success. Just like a marriage, you have to constantly work on it to be successfiul, and as musicians, we have to trust our instincts. If a song calls for a guitar solo, then by all means we should let loose. We shouldn't live and die by what's considered appropriate on radio. I want to hear and feel more raw emotion on the airwaves!!!

-Joseph

[Christoph]

Anyone heard the new Gravity Kills album? I have to say, I was really disappointed with it . . . at least the songs that I've heard on the radio. (whoops, the "R" word again)

Their old school stuff had a ton of great riffage, but the guitar seems to have taken a backseat in the new album. There's more techno and industrial effects, and you can barely hear the guitar even as a rhythm instrument in the background.

[winterhawk1969]

I don't know very many of the bands you mention here and I'm not far enough along to do soloing yet, but I understand what you mean about the solo fitting the song. Is there a way to learn it or do you have to just feel it?

[Christoph]

There are a few "methods" that you can use to write solos, but it's mostly just a matter of feeling it.

Most bands like to follow the melody of the song a little bit and then expand on that theme with the solo. But the main point is that the solo should match the mood and feel of the song while adding to it. The solo usually serves as the climax for the song, so it should take it little bit from the melody and add some lines to keep it interesting.

[lefty_2005]

I agree sorta. A lot of bands like N*Sync are starting to fade away. Thank God. But still, only a few bands have solos.

Rock Forever and Rap is Crap

[Lancelot]

Everywhere in the world is like that.....maybe they are too stupid to realise that it is not like a rave song......it is music my friend.....they do not have enough spirit in their mind...they do not have the feeling

[saul hudson]

hell no,there's not even a little sign that gutar solos are coming back bands,like nickleback,hubastank,puddle of mud,sum 41,there all into playing poppy rocks tunes,the 80's was the best decade for solo's you had the like's of joe perry,richie sambora,metallica and the man himself slash who could always be counted on to but in a rippin solo new age music sucks bring back the 80's

[fuhrysteve]

the 80's were awesome, don't get me wrong, but i think the sixties were the best for melodic guitar soloing, sounds best when the right notes are being played, not just anything on scale. i'm a 80's guy with a sixties ear, i like the 80's style, but with the sixties more melodic style. don't get me wrong, there is a lot of melodic 80's stuff, but in general, the sixties had the melodies. that's my 2 cents... whatda ya think?

[educatedfilm]

oh god... sorry, but to me the 80's were guitar solos for egos... I mean there was alot of great music form the 80s poeple like Talking Heads, Blondie, and some of the orchestral experimental stuff, and some truely great bands like The Stone roses, ... but Guns and Roses, very cringe worthy stuff... that's just my oppinion...
I mean there is no point in having a guitar solo if it's predictable, not very unique... and the Key changes /structure is very obvious... I mean i love hendrix's stuff, but his solos aren't undermining the rest of his song, and they're not blatant... What I'm saying is that alot of the 80s guitar was too much... it was very coarse.. (if anyone's to blame for making tapping embrassing it's those guys) I mean there are great solos now, you just have to pay attention... Daft Punk do some cool stuff, it's not massively complicated or whatever, but it works... Ask Lalimacefollie, he knows about poeple like Ron Thal, Dream Theater etc etc...
To be honest for the last decade or more, decent music for poeple who know about music isn't in the mainstream... Sure there was great stuff back in the 60s, but that simply because there weren't so many fakes trying to make a quick buck...

[lalimacefolle]

Originally posted by educatedfilm
Daft Punk do some cool stuff, it's not massively complicated or whatever, but it works... Ask Lalimacefollie, he knows about poeple like Ron Thal, Dream Theater etc etc...


If you want to really hear some awesome stuff, check out Ron Thal!! I'm like his biggest fan! He's such an awesome player, and you can't be crazier than he is... He's the closest to a genius that I know. I've found a file that shows his great songwriting chops, awesome playing, sense of humor (I can't play the bluuuuues)...
http://www2.opendoor.com/shrapnel/ram/NI-3001.RAM

He has brought to the world of electric guitar new techniques, (check this one out: http://www.guitartricks.com/2000/trick.php?trick_id=3659) like BB king, Van Halen, and Jimi Hendrix before him. I know we all tell that about our favorite guitar player, but this guy is really a genius...

[fuhrysteve]

Originally posted by educatedfilm
oh god... sorry, but to me the 80's were guitar solos for egos...
...Sure there was great stuff back in the 60s, but that simply because there weren't so many fakes trying to make a quick buck...

hmm, well, when/where do you think the best guitar solos came/come out of? any particular era? or do you think it just seem to come out of random times, just whatever artist has got the best ear for melodies... or what?

[lalimacefolle]

when you can see people singing the solos of songs, you know that's a great solo. First name that comes to my mind is Mark KNOPFLER. Awesome melodies, killer technique, gorgeous tone, Damn, is he good...

[fuhrysteve]

Originally posted by lalimacefolle
First name that comes to my mind is Mark KNOPFLER. Awesome melodies, killer technique, gorgeous tone, Damn, is he good...

any particularly good songs by him i could download? a few'd be nice...
thanks

[Led Zeppelin]

Originally posted by educatedfilm
... but Guns and Roses, very cringe worthy stuff... that's just my oppinion...

I know you don't mean that so I'll let it slide.

The stuff you said about the Stone Roses, Talking Heads etc. was spot on though.

[lalimacefolle]

Originally posted by fuhrysteve
any particularly good songs by him i could download? a few'd be nice...
thanks

sultans of swing
Romeo and Juliet
private investigations (the outro in this tune is so powerful!!)

[Raskolnikov]

Originally posted by lalimacefolle
Originally posted by fuhrysteve
any particularly good songs by him i could download? a few'd be nice...
thanks

sultans of swing
Romeo and Juliet
private investigations (the outro in this tune is so powerful!!)

Everything I've heard off of the live Dire Straights disk is awesome.

[lalimacefolle]

"Dire Straits on the night" is the best sounding CD I own
"Alchemy live" rocks too...

[Lordathestrings]

You'll have to get this disk to hear "Private Investigations" anyway, so you're going to find out about a little ditty caled "Telegraph Road". And "Romeo and Juliet" (on the "Making Movies" disk) leads into another one of my favourites, "Skateaway".