I was a bit skeptical when I read about Marty Friedman's departure from MEGADETH to persue more 'commercial' sounding endeavors. After reading
how much he liked SMASHMOUTH and THIRD EYE BLIND, I was even more dismayed. But much to my surprise, Friedman returns with a balls out
instrumental CD that is not only entertaining and catchy, but sounds very inspired. Friedman suffered the 'new' age bug with a few of his previous
solo efforts (cue snoring sound effects), and then really toned it down for the last couple of Megadeth discs (Risk, Cryptic Writings), and then bailed on the band
after the ill-recieved Risk tour. Music For Speeding is very upbeat, is loaded with fast rhythms, drum loops, and wierd guitar tones and noises, but Friedman
somehow manages to pull it all together and make a cohesive statement that not only demonstrates his excellent guitar prowess, but also fully
demonstrates his abilities as a songwriter. Granted, instrumental CD's are not all the rage lately (where they ever?), but this disc could squeek by
on it's strap-em'-in and go attitude. On a side note, Friedman's chops have never been better, he is simply sailing over the chord changes and
making some serious stylistic shifts in his musical personality. I have never heard him so inspired, or intense in any other arena till now. A great
change of pace, and an overall inspiring piece of work. Impressive.
