Fresh out of Marilyn Manson's band, guitarist John5 wasted no time issuing his solo debut, 2004's Vertigo. And for Manson disciples expecting the album to strictly follow to the game plan that John5 followed with his previous employer, you're sure to be in for a surprise. While there are tracks that are certainly Manson-esque, John5 shows that he's one of the more versatile guitar pickers on the scene today, as more than half the album wouldn't sound out of place being played on-stage at the Grand Ole Opry. Set the CD on "random play" and you're sure to fool others into thinking it's a compilation of several top guitar shredders. Things kick off with a pair of tracks that are what you'd expect from a former Marilyn Manson guitarist: the over-the-top shredfest "Needles, CA" and the riff rocker "Feisty Cadavers." But this soon proves to be a completely false assumption, as evidenced by such bluegrass ditties as "Sugar Foot Rag" and a cover of "Sweet Georgia Brown," the square dance-esque title track, and a blues-rock track that brings to mind the "guitar duel" between Steve Vai and Ralph Macchio in Crossroads, "Pulling Strings." Although some may automatically write off Mr. 5 due to his ghoulish makeup and attire, Vertigo will certainly please fans of such technically proficient shredders as Steve Vai and Steve Morse. ~ Greg Prato
Recording information: Satinwood Sound; The 4 Tune's Room; The Office.
Arranger: John 5.
Personnel: John 5 (guitar, lap steel guitar, banjo, mandolin); John 5; Billy Sherwood (lap steel guitar, bass guitar, programming); Jay Schellen (bass guitar, drums); Bourbon Bob Bartell (bass guitar); Kevin Savigar (keyboards, programming); Graham Ward (drums).
This is my GOD! John 5 is simply the best guitarist in the world. I love this man! And his new album is coming out soon! Submitted by dimmu_borgir_cradle_of_filth666 (Mesa, AZ) Was This Review Helpful? YesNo
Spacehalo, just chill man, it's good music. I guess his copy didn't have the sticker on it that reads- "John 5 is an underrated guitar giant. It is rare to hear a musician fuse various styles & create a unique blend & brand all his own.It takes balls but that's what is needed to be truly original."
Steve Vai
Great Hard Guitar Riffs ....nuff said.
Submitted by musicbizman (Worldwide) Was This Review Helpful? YesNo
John Can Do THAT?!?!? This album is incredible I am a Manson fan and I find this amazing compared to what he used to do. His riffs and solos in Manson were amazing but these... These are god like!!! 5/5 Submitted by Seppel (Winnipeg, MB, Canada) Was This Review Helpful? YesNo
Smack yer ass, but do it nice.... I'm not sure exactly what freaks me out more: the idea that this was Manson's guitarist, or the fact that he plays bluegrass!!!
Either way, my preconceptions are immediately blown away. First coupla tunes rock hard and show some knuckle-busting guitar work...
As for the remainder, there's an alternating mix of dude-rock and chick-swing (a.k.a. it's heavy, then...'less heavy'....). Dude, sorry! I just can't cope with the fact that this dude can spit out Metallica-like riffs and then go into some...uh...square-dance revival stuff...but with super-wicked guitar dominating it all!!!
I'm confused. I love it...but then again, I only kinda "like" it, a lot.
Just grab your corpse, and hope she's got some nice dancin' shoes on. Just don't swing her too fast, or she'll get "vertigo".
chad Submitted by spacehalo (south of Chicago) Was This Review Helpful? YesNo
John-5 is your god The album is crazy, hes all over the place on this one and he tears it up. NEW ALBUM COMES OUT IN ONE WEEK! Submitted by JON-5-PRICE (Flower Mound, Texas) Was This Review Helpful? YesNo This review is for a different format.
This is my GOD!
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