In contrast to jazz -- where instrumentalists have long been the majority -- rock has been dominated by vocalists. Nonetheless, a variety of rockers have made their mark as instrumentals, among them '60s surf rockers like
Dick Dale,
the Surfaris,
the Ventures,
the Lively Ones, and
the Bel-Airs and hard rock guitar shredders such as
Steve Vai,
Joe Satriani, and
Mads Eriksen. And even though many rock fans are reluctant to check out instrumentalists, a variety of worthwhile instrumental rock continues to be recorded in the 21st century. Take
the Mag Seven, for example. On
Cotton Needle Sessions, this threesome provides a risk-taking brew that is best described as instrumental alternative rock with elements of surf rock, punk, jazz, and '60s film music (especially the soundtracks of spy thrillers). Surf rock, of course, was quite diverse during the
JFK and LBJ years; it included major vocal acts (
the Beach Boys,
Jan & Dean) as well as a variety of instrumentalists -- and
the Mag Seven (guitarist/keyboardist Brandon Landelius, bassist Donivan Blair, and drummer Bill Stevenson) get a lot of inspiration from the darker, moodier surf instrumentals of the '60s. In fact,
Cotton Needle Sessions in general has a moody, shadowy, haunting sort of vibe;
the Mag Seven are as moody on "Rise of the Levis" and "Sailor Jerry's Requiem" as they are on "Panty Dropper," "Does This Rag Smell Like Chloroform?," and "Deacon Browns." Some folks will no doubt pass on
Cotton Needle Sessions simply because it is an instrumental album, which is regrettable because this 30-minute CD is a consistently interesting, if brief, listen. ~ Alex Henderson