Shouse – Jaded – Album Review

After a fifteen-year break from the pro music scene, songwriter and guitarist Shouse is diving straight back into the deep end with his latest album, Jaded – packing nine prog rock instrumentals into 32 minutes. If you’re a fan of 20th century metal and guitar work that hides rife emotion within its mayhem, this is an unmissable record for you. Let’s dig into its quirks…

Snippet intro “Romeo & Juliet” sets a scene plush with atmospheres: synths that verge between gothicism and ‘80s heavy metal (think Ozzy’s “Mr Crowley”), topped with a searing guitar solo that cuts the fog like a hot blade.

“Romeo Is Gone” features collaborative guitarist Michael Angelo Batio, famed for his work in Nitro and Manowar. This track plunges headfirst into the glory days of metal – a delectable blend of glam rock and occultist tones that reminds this reviewer of a Mercyful Fate classic, weaving midnight chaos with bright melody, all crowned by lightning-speed shredding that blasts you back to metal’s golden age.

Track three, “A Bitter Cold” comes wrapped in clean, warm tones, each maestro riff serving a twist of clarity and lingering ominosity in this serene instrumental ballad.

Ron ‘Bumblefoot’ Thal features on “Let’s Go” – its hyperactive drum and bass intro carved with distortions, soon sparing moments for an operatic interlude which dissolves into a crushing, rock-infused riff serving a stand-out, black leather vibe. This track in particular captures the raw essence of a live band slaughtering their local arena, making it truly stunning to learn how Shouse’s collaborative album was truly crafted…

Featuring Kentucky guitarist and songwriter Mike Shouse, New York drummer Charlie Zeleny and Los Angeles bassist, James Pulli, Jaded was composed virtually, one member at a time. It all began with Mike, who at long last home-recorded the guitar ideas he’d kept stacked on his phone for years. These stems were sent over to drummer Charlie, who added his own parts, then to bassist James to flesh out the tracks further. After finalising a few individual tracks with guest guitarists, Michael Angelo Batio, ‘Bumblefoot’, and Tony MacAlpine, the album was then mixed to completion by Nashville’s legendary producer and engineer, Billie Decker.

Track five, “Smiley Faced Emoji,” ribbons moments of pop-punk into its upbeat vibe, graced by Shouse’s trademark solos – the ultimate replacement for lyrics, keeping listeners forever on their toes and anticipating what distant planet Shouse is about to land them on next. ”Bucket Of Bolts” melds sci-fi snippets into its smoky and hectic ‘80s rock/metal-inspired base, serving quirky extraterrestrial themes on a silver buffet platter.

Then, Mike Shouse’s personal favourite, title track “Jaded,” takes the stage: a five-minute masterclass featuring an incredible seventy key changes; epitomising his rare, prog metal mindset. Except, this track isn’t just mind-melting chaos; it’s blissfully listenable, packed with emotive turns and retro tones.

Track eight, “Memoriam,” settles its wandering solos against a piano ballad backdrop; the instrument’s first and only feature throughout Jaded’s entirety. It carries every element of being an album-closer, until Shouse’s final collaborative guitarist, Tony MacAlpine, takes rein on the record’s true finale, “Upon Looking Back” – where an almost cheesy, vintage-inspired sonic aesthetic meets its polar opposite: chugging distorted rhythms, and manic guitar voices spewing solos which, in places, could strangely fit within a classical music context.

It’s a solid record from start to finish, fuelled by organic inspirations and the passionate drive of a musician who’s been brewing his ideas for well over a decade. Our final verdict? Recommended.

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