Michael Thompson Band - Future Past

While this album is chock full of great AOR tunes, à la Giant, a little more shredding would've been nice.I have been on a bit of an old school melodic rock kick of late, because I just can't resist the pull of hummable melodies mixed with the legato runs of killer guitar solo. The latest in that entry is the Michael Thompson Band, and it comes with a certain pedigree. Michael Thompson is something of an elite session player from the 80s and 90s, having lent his Berklee-honed talents to the likes of Michael Jackson, Rod Stewart, Phil Collins, Celine Dion, Madonna, Whitney Houston, as well as heavier acts like Vince Neil and The Scorpions. The guy's got the goods.

His eponymously named band put out their classic How Long album in the late 80s that was recently re-released with a few new tracks. And now he's teamed up with Larry King (not the TV guy), who adds some really great vocals to match the rest of the songwriting on this new CD, Future Past. It reminds me a lot of bands like Giant - also started by fellow master session guitarist, Dan Huff, who reportedly started directing his studio requests to Thompson when he moved to Nashville in the 80s. There's a lot of great guitar work on this album that's perhaps not as overtly flashy as Huff's was in Giant, but is perfect to the music. This guy's an old pro, and the music shows it. It says a lot about a musician that is called upon to work with so many big names for decades like this; it's like a basketball team from any era being able to call in a Michael Jordan when they need him the pull out the win for the team.

All of the staples of melodic rock/AOR albums are here to be enjoyed, with the requisite ballads and inspirational tracks, even if they may seem a little dated - but you can't question the musicianship, all of it is top notch. The only real complaint that you may levy here is that Michael Thompson could stand to be little more flashy (I'm sure this guy can shred), but that's just my taste; I just love the juxtaposition of pop melodies and fiery shred guitar.

The Bottom Line: If you need a melodic rock/AOR fix, this album should scratch your itch pretty well, keeping in mind the solos are on the light side.

Late Saturday Afternoon Tracks: Break Me Down, Future Past, Here I Am

- Genghis is wondering who's in the new guard of master session guitar players...