“Byrds” with its collection of varied styles of music kept me interested and intrigued from beginning to end. Blues, Country, World Beat, and Modern Music styles are all represented here, to name a few. But all of these compositions, written by Thayer himself, are first rate. As a fan of World music, I can tell you that he does a superb job with #8 (Hijaz Mojo)- a Middle Eastern delight! His experimentation with contemporary compositional techniques results in some interesting atonal works. He is definitely not afraid to try something new. Then there’s some great traditional toe-tapping, foot-stomping numbers included as well. As for his playing technique, Lloyd is a master of his instrument, no doubt. In fact, so much so that at times, when he really gets going, its sounds as if there are actually two guitarists playing. He incorporates the use of slide techniques at times that would definitely be considered “cutting-edge”, attesting again to his creativity as a composer as well as his playing ability. What more could one want in a single CD?
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Lloyd Thayer's new collection of music for the lapstyle guitar embodies a marriage of virtuosity and creative nuance that is so exceedingly rare -- particularly in the solo instrumental space. Highly recommended.
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These songs have been going through my head for weeks now. Using the stark medium of solo lapstyle guitar, lloyd churns out so many colors and textures-- from classic roots sounds (the sun-drenched Riding the Rails With Chris Darling), to haunting middle-eastern ragas like The Run Up Butter Mountain, to full-throttle acoustic blues meltdowns like Mississippi Riposarus. Though the execution of the music is fluid and graceful there is always a welcome human quality to the proceedings as well-- something a bit messy and passionate, befitting of whimsical titles like Pole Vaulting Mingus or  Glass Flowers in Mothballs. Rather than being purely a display of technical ability, lloyd plays from the bottom of the deep heart, and you can just sit back and feel it-- his joy and sadness, his sense of humor, his love. I would be hard pressed to pick my favorites, because they keep changing. My favorite today is the sad and gorgeous War Never Ends. Why not listen and see for yourself?
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"Lots of original approaches, excellent playing, great tone, cool sounds I've never heard from a slide before.  .  . All the guitars sound great."
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