http://www.the-fuze.com/reviews.html#SEC18
Gary Schutt – B Sides Myself (2005)
Wasting no time after returning from a lengthy world tour with Jeff Scott Soto’s band, Gary Schutt has issued ‘B Sides Myself’, a collection of tracks originally intended for release on Gary’s three previous albums. The disc opens with four tunes intended for 2002’s excellent ‘Excruciating Pleasures’ album. “Controlling the Rage”, clocking in at just over nine minutes, is the most epic of the songs here, mixing meaty, creative riffing and an ear for melody. The same strengths can be found in “Left in the Dark” and “Only You Know”. All three songs feature some rather inspired soloing which, at times, brings to mind players like Vinnie & Gary Moore, Steve Vai and Brad Gillis. It should be pointed out that Gary writes and performs everything on ‘B Sides Myself’, and there are indeed a couple moments where it becomes apparent that having so much studio time on one’s hands isn’t always a good thing. “I’m in Love With the Girl That I Hate”, in its original form, was a slightly deranged, yet heartfelt, song that here receives a bit of an ill-advised alt-pop makeover. Same with Gary’s caustic take on “Without You”, which is almost unrecognizable as the Badfinger classic. From the halfway point, the album segues into songs originally meant for Gary’s two earliest albums. Of those, “Behind My Back”, with its driving guitar/piano riffing, stands out as a high point. ‘B Sides Myself’ closes with a spirited cover of Queen’s “Death on Two Legs” (Gary’s version predating the JSS band’s abbreviated take on the song by a year or two). Bottom line – ‘B Sides Myself’ is well-balanced glance back at the music of Gary Schutt up to this point, and the next best thing to a ‘Best of…’ Gary’s songwriting is uniquely off-center, and his guitar playing on this collection of heavy (and sometimes progressive) power-pop songs is often breathtaking. To order ‘B Sides Myself’, and to check out Gary’s other releases, go to www.garyschutt.com.
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http://www.rock-reviews.net/reviews/garyschuttbsides.htm
****
(five stars possible)
OVERALL IMPRESSION. Gary Schutt's B-Sides Myself is a showcase of this brilliant artist's musicianship. The CD is made up of demos, alternate versions, and songs that didn't make the final cut on other albums. The first song, "Controlling The Rage," is a 9-minute epic hard rock song with a progressive slant, and arguably the best song on the CD. Several of the tracks lean toward progressive rock without losing the hard edge. There are also a couple of covers on the album, the first being "Without You" (recorded in the past by Harry Nillson and Mariah Carey, among others). Schutt truly puts some aggression into this track. The second cover, "Death On Two Legs," written by the late Freddie Mercury and recorded by the legendary Queen, is a bold attempt, and Schutt pulls it off. A couple of tracks don't measure up to the rest on the CD. "Should Have Been Me" and "Warpaint" are the original 4-track recordings of the songs that ended up on the Sentimental album, and honestly they sound out of place on this CD. Overall, however, B-Sides Myself is an excellent collection of somewhat progressive hard rock songs.
BEST TRACKS. "Controlling The Rage," "I'm In Love With The Girl That I Hate (Alternate Version)," "Without You," "Behind My Back."
DISAPPOINTMENTS. "Should Have Been Me (Original Demo)," "Warpaint (Original Demo)."
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www.melodicrock.com by Andrew McNiece
82%
On B-Sides Myself Gary delivers some tracks that didn't make any of his previous studio releases. A fully electric release, this album sees Gary work without the confines of set album limitations and deliver some experimental tracks which showcase another side of the rocker.
A couple of alternative versions and a couple of original demos are added to another Queen cover (Death On Two Legs) and 5 other unreleased tracks.
At times these tracks are heavier and feature a more contemporary modern rock sound which definitely pushes some alternative rock boundaries.
One special mention of the track Without You, which is a modern hard rock version of the Air Supply ballad. Not for all ears, but something which highlights Gary's unique take on the world and his ability to deliver something original.
