Quantum Guitar
Steve Howe · 1998
60 min · 17 tracks · progressive rock
An intricate tapestry of guitar-driven instrumental compositions blending progressive rock with jazz and experimental elements.
Top tracks — play these first
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Suddenly — This expansive track highlights Howe's ability to blend intricate melodies with improvisational sections, showcasing both his technical skill and emotional depth.
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Mosaic — With its short duration, this piece encapsulates a variety of musical ideas, demonstrating Howe's knack for creating rich textures within concise formats.
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Light Walls — This track features a delicate interplay of acoustic and electric guitars, illustrating Howe's mastery of contrasting sounds while maintaining melodic cohesion.
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Totality — The closing track serves as a culmination of the album’s themes, integrating various styles into a cohesive statement that emphasizes Howe's eclectic influences.
Elevation
Our rating, out of 100 — and why.
AI-generated from five scored dimensions. An opinion, not a measurement.
InstrumentalHowe's intricate guitar compositions blend genres effectively, though the album's cohesion is somewhat uneven.
What we noticed
- Several tracks incorporate jazz elements, such as syncopated rhythms and improvisational sections, which contrast with the more structured progressive rock segments.
- Composition 25% of the score
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7/10
- Craft 20% of the score
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8/10
- Durability 25% of the score
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6/10
- Distinctiveness 18% of the score
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7/10
- Sequencing 12% of the score
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5/10
the writing — melody, harmony, structure, lyrics
production, performance, arrangement
whether it rewards returning to it
whether it sounds like itself
running order, pacing, length
Known within its scene. Reported but not counted — how far a record travelled describes its reception rather than the record, and a newer release has had less time to travel than an older one.
Is this for you?
Good fit if you like
- reflective journeys through soundscapes
- intricate guitar work exploration
- patient unfolding of melodies
- soothing background for contemplation
- immersive listening for quiet moments
Maybe skip if you
- seeking fast-paced excitement
- prefer standalone catchy tracks
Where this album fits
- Career context
- Released in 1998, Quantum Guitar marked Steve Howe's return to solo work after a decade focused on his role in Yes. The album showcases his virtuosity and diverse musical influences during a period when he was also exploring collaborations with other artists.
Tracklist
Best experienced from track one — press play and let it unfold.
- 1 Walk Don't Run 3:03
- 2 The Collector 3:02
- 3 Light Walls 3:45
- 4 Mosaic 2:03
- 5 Suddenly 10:11
- 6 Country Viper 1:41
- 7 Mainland 3:30
- 8 Knights of Carmelite 3:02
- 9 Paradox 4:55
- 10 Momenta 2:57
- 11 Sleep Walk 3:13
- 12 Sovereigns 2:13
- 13 Totality 2:24
- 14 Solid Ground 5:27
- 15 The Great Siege 2:17
- 16 Cacti Garden 2:25
- 17 Southern Accent 4:12
Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata
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