Album Review: John 5 - The Ghost

 

To begin by treading some old ground - what has always separated John 5 from the crowded field of talented and accomplished guitar virtuosos is that John 5 is not up there simply to record himself playing a bunch of fancy scales as fast as he can, or offer an elaborate technical demonstration.  John 5 composes songs (fine, pieces, if you want to follow the to-the-letter definition of which has lyrics and which doesn’t,) that are capable of telling stories through their movements and the pace and emotion of his playing.

His new album, Ghost just so happens to be his most accomplished in that space since the achievement that was Season of the Witch.

Worth noting: this is the first of John’s solo albums since Careful With That Axe to be listed as “John 5” and NOT “John 5 & The Creatures.”  One wonders what changed, but in any event, the difference is largely cosmetic - as talented as The Creatures were (and bass player Ian Ross in particular,) the focal point is really John 5 himself, and always has been.

Anyway, to get back to the main point, please submit into evidence “A Hollywood Story.”  It’s hard to know without speaking to the man what his actual intent with this piece was, but it’s abundantly clear that he’s telling a different, softer, more tender story than he is with “Fiend.”  The former is a pleasant hum on a summer’s afternoon stroll, the second is a comic book come to aural life, complete with a smirking guitar tone ripped straight from the halcyon days of Judas Priest.

The title track is the closest John 5 gets on Ghost to a true exhibition piece, and the opening sequence is enough to make one think he’s going to try and top Van Halen’s Eruption.  Ultimately, the piece breaks into something less solo-specific, but the same hallmarks of talent and expression are there.

Moving chronologically, the next two cuts are where John 5 shows his versatility, with the lounge-act reminiscent “Moon Glow,” and the requisite country/rockabilly swing of “You Me and the Devil Makes Three.”  For as much as John 5 is known worldwide as a metal guitarist, these are passion pieces for him, and longtime fans have come to expect John to show this side of himself on his solo records as well.  Frankly, Ghost could have used a little more of that.

Which is to say, the first three real cuts on the album (the opening track is an introduction and nothing more,) aren’t particularly remarkable in any tangible way.  There’s nothing wrong with them, but given the spirit, fire and variety that comes later, “Deviant,” “Strung Out” and “La Express” don’t land with any real impact in the same way.

However, the best is saved for last, both for editorial purposes here, and on the album.  “Executioner” might be the best song released so far this year (amidst a field of capable contenders.) It takes a lot to say ‘wow, I haven’t heard that before,’ and that’s what “Executioner” is.  John 5 has never before packed so much drama into three-and-a-half minutes, and done it with such an incredible sense of tension and flow.  His individual, intricate guitar part features very little variance, but it’s the pieces around it which make the song build into something great.

John 5 demonstrates once again that he has a unique understanding of the necessary balance between composition and virtuosity.  If you’ve always been on board with John 5’s solo career, nothing changes here except that you’ve another album to add to your shelf and enjoy. If his previous effort, Sinner left you feeling unfulfilled, come back around and try Ghost. You won’t be disappointed.