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"The antithesis of "Between The Space" with its acoustic guitar-voice songs, "Better Or Worse" conveys the most intimate and sensitive facet of Monte Pittman."
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4/5
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Monte Pittman is known to the general public as the guitarist of Madonna, whom he met through her then husband Guy Ritchie, whom he taught guitar lessons to. Among the purists, he is especially known for his solo albums in rock and metal and also for his participation in a few Prong albums between 2002 and 2009. Since the American began his solo career in 2009, he has released four albums and an EP at a very steady pace. Inspiration always fertile, Pittman is back two years after the excellent "Inverted Grasp of Balance" with not one album, nor a double album but two separate albums released on the same day entitled "Better Or Worse" and "Between The Space". This review is about "Better Or Worse".
What justifies the originality of releasing two separate albums and not a double album? Monte Pittman wisely separated his two albums for the simple reason that the first one is entirely acoustic and the second one electric. Pittman's two pleasures because if the bearded man's last two albums were definitely focused on big sound, his first two solo records "The Deepest Dark" and "Pain Love & Destiny" showed a more pop side with a strong presence of the acoustic guitar. The very personal twist we found in "Between The Space" is here enhanced by an intimate dimension carried by the acoustic guitar-voice combination that structures the whole record.
"Better Or Worse" opens with a 'Depth Perception' which, with its energy, its heady chorus and its lively instrumental sequence, is a bit like the acoustic version of the "Between The Space" standard. But soon the tension dies down with songs with softened tonalities offering delicate and melancholic melodies such as 'Turning Retrograde' in which Monte Pittman finds unsuspected harmonic heights, the arpeggiated 'Better Or Worse' and the delicate 'Have Faith' with its comforting softness or 'The Right Words' whose poetry reminds us of Nick Drake. Monte Pittman concludes this magnificent record with 'Torchbearer' whose second part is left to the discretion of an electric guitar in a destabilizing martial atmosphere and a 'Witch Trials' with surprising percussions.
"Better Or Worse" offers an immediate proximity to the listener thanks to the authenticity of the guitar-voice in simple and direct formats for which Monte Pittman excels. In "Better or Worse" and "Between The Space" he reveals part of his musical personality and his great sensitivity. It is the most fragile and intimate facet that is delivered in "Better Or Worse". - Official website
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TRACK LISTING:
01. Depth Perception
02. Have Faith
03. Turning Retrograde
04. Better Or Worse
05. The Right Words
06. Whose Side Are You On?
07. Torchbearer
08. Witch Trials
LINEUP:
Monte Pittman: Chant / Guitares
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