Album Details

• Artist: Sean Smith
• Album: Huge Fluid Freedo
• Label: Strange Attractors
• Year of Release: 2011
• ME Rating:
• Reviewed by: patchen on 2011-07-06

Sean Smith, though noted more for his acoustic guitar work, as a solo artist and producer, and his associating with such American Primitive-focused labels like Tompkins Square and Gnome Life. But, perhaps unfairly, his electric work has not been given the respect it deserves. Maybe that is because his acoustic work tends to appeal to purists? Whatever; a listen to his latest ought to give Smith a big win in any corner of the guitar world. "Huge Fluid Freedom" is a generous, daring and thrilling ride through the possibilities of both the electric and acoustic guitar, cementing Sean Smith as an American master.

All four tracks are stunning. "I Know You Are Tired, But Come. This is the Way."  Blends a funky groove with raga, extending out with folk and psych. Rhythm section Marc Dantona (bass) and drummer Spencer Owen keep a solid rock beat, and they come in handy on all the electric tracks, giving Smith a place to return from his sonic explorations. "The Real," featuring a guest solo by guitarist Josh Pollack, is   a surprisingly crunchy nod to Doom and Boogie. Jarringly, the next track, "Ourselves When We Are Real," is a gorgeous, occasionally insistent acoustic track, the kind causal listeners would come to expect from Smith; here he shows that there is still some deep emotional veins to be mined from American Primitive guitar. The closing title track, however, is the most surprising. Incorporating Zeppelin-esque Eastern-tinged metal with noise, Psychedelic freakout, Smith takes his electric ideas further than he has prior in any studio work. The final five or so minutes sound like early 70s Jeff Beck:  majestic , deft and heavy.

"Huge Fluid Freedom" is a set of brilliant tracks by Sean Smith, easily one of the best guitarists we have at the moment. This is a record that will be loved by purists and improvisers alike, by guitar geeks and sonic astronauts.

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