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REB BEACH
MASQUERADE
Universal Japan UICE-1011
Produced by: Reb Beach
Released: OUT / Website
Relatives: Winger, Dokken, Paul Gilbert
GENRE: Hard Rock
OVERALL: 84%

  1. Dark Places
  2. Masquerade
  3. Ghost
  4. Better Shade of Grey
  5. Bleed
  6. Fanatic
  7. Red
  8. Sorrow Strained Eyes
  9. Day Of The Eagle
  10. Get Out And Walk
  11. Love So True

Reb Beach's solo album comes after several years of playing the pivotal role in some of hard rock's best known 80's acts.
Reb became famous for his work in Winger, hailed as one of the 80's guitar hero's and then took over the vacant lead axe position in a reformed Dokken a few years back. He is now out of Dokken and looking at a new stint in Winger.
Masquerade is a very solid guitar record that will appeal to long time fans of Reb's and is what I would describe as a musicians record.
The playing is first rate - both melodically speaking with the rhythm and shred worthy with the soloing.
The sound of the record is a mix between the recent modern rock sound of Dokken, for which Reb contributed, plus the more commercial leanings of Reb's roots in Winger.
His voice - funnily enough - is a cross between that of Don Dokken and Kip Winger. But with a lead guitarist taking up lead vocals type edge! It's easy to see how these guy's styles have rubbed off on him.
Throw in a little Glenn Hughes in his blues rock mode and you have a pretty good picture. As far as Reb's guitar playing - that's in a style of it's own!
The album moves between the modern rock styling of Dark Places, to the more melodically commercial Wingeresque Masquerade, to the bluesier Day Of The Eagle and back again.
There's also a hint of Paul Gilbert on the flashy instrumental Get Out And Walk.
The album shows hints of commercialness, like Masquerade, but generally is a tough no nonsense, guitarists hard rock record.
BOTTOM LINE: It took several listens for this album to click. First up I was rather disappointed, but overall, after some in-depth listening, it comes over as a good guitar driven record. In the end, I like it a lot.
PRODUCTION: 90% SONGS: 85% VIBE: 83%ATTITUDE: 80%
ESSENTIAL FOR: All guitar playing rock fans, fans of guitar driven hard rock and some fans of Winger & Dokken.




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