Igor Lisul is far from your average guitar player. Not content to rehash six-string clichés, he endeavors to push the boundaries of his instrument. His latest EP, Alive, is a collection of six instrumental tracks that feature guitar as the melodic centerpiece. The 38-year-old Serbian produced the EP himself and performs all the accompanying instruments as well.
First up we hear the title track, Alive, an upbeat rocker with a joyous melody that is characterized by a heavy use of slides. Underlying synth textures give the song a dreamy quality and Lisul kicks into another gear during the bridge section; unleashing a barrage of technical virtuosity. Despite the speed of his playing, however, there is no compromise on musicality.
He shows a softer side on track four, In Your Arms. It’s a slow, romantic groove, but is again, big on melody. Sweet, expressive bends whisk the listener away and provide a nice contrast to the fast pace that dominates the rest of the EP.
Igor Lisul approaches his songwriting the same way a classical pianist would. There’s no mindless, pentatonic noodling here; Alive features playing that is nuanced, thoughtful, and awe-inspiring. Guitarists need to hear this man play!
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BELOW: Listen to Alive and connect with his website and social media platforms. Please support Igor Lisul by visiting him online, and playing, downloading, and/or purchasing his music, or attending a live show! And, as always, thank you for supporting real music!
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