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BASSically.net
August, 2001
Together for the first time, Scott McGill, Michael Manring, and Vic Stevens have combined their awe-inspiring musical ingenuity for a completely fresh and inventive outing titled, Addition by Subtraction. Coupled with artistic displays of technical brilliance and its eclectic mix of compositions, Addition by Subtraction consists of fourteen skillfully composed and arranged tracks that can be best described as a complex fusion of heavy progressive rock and avant-garde instrumental improvisation. On this, McGill's latest release, the world-class guitarist extends the boundaries of acoustic and electric traditions with his explosive exhibitions of virtuoso technical ability. With his contribution of mind-boggling fretless bass and electrifying ebow artistry, critically acclaimed master bassist Michael Manring adds yet another chapter to the history of the bass tradition. And, the highly sophisticated, odd-metered accents of drummer Vic Stevens rounds out this tour de force power trio. Also, making an appearance as a special guest performer on three tracks is Dream Theater's keyboardist, Jordan Rudess. Whether anchoring the low end, taking flight on a high-end solo excursion, or scorching through a set of fretless melodies with his ebow, Manring continues to prove just how good he really is with another dominating collection of performances. Selected tracks include: "Zimparty", "We Are Not Amused", "KVB Liar", "Addition By Subtraction", "Vicodin Shuffle", "Conflict Resolution", "Purging Mendel's Beasts", "In-A-Gadda DaVinci", and "Four Fields." Bottom Line: Addition by Subtraction is a dazzling display of history in the making.
Review by Cliff Engel
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