DENIS TAAFFE

Artist's Website
Contact Artist
Indiana, USA

Available CDs

Warranties and Disclaimers

"U2's "With Or Without You" came to mind with the bass lines that kick off the opening, and title, track "Abducted By Aliens." This soon morphs into something Pink Floyd-like, mainly the rhythm and percussion, sounding a bit like "Another Brick in The Wall." Searing guitar leads come from somewhere else entirely...kinda like as if Satriani or Vai played to their own muse, eschewing Gilmore and his leads. Well, like Satriani and Vai, Denis Taaffe is a guitarist, so these comparisons don't come from left field, or in this case, outer space. Modern Rock Guitar Vol 1: Abducted By Aliens is Taaffe's debut, an album created because the artist couldn't find enough guitar rock. He fills that gap with some 80s MOR-rock inspired compositions. It's Taaffe on vocals as well. His vocal style is pleasant and serviceable, but he shines as a guitarist. There are times where I thought of another guitarist I've listened to quite a bit and that is Rick Ray. These guitars overall have different styles, and different agendas, as Taaffe replaces socio-political commentary for a wide range of themes. "Mighty Flesh Vehicles" reminded me of The Cars' "Bye Bye Love." "Adrenalin" has a pumped up rhythm, as might be expected. This is muscular, almost as beefy as a Judas Priest track...think "Another Think Coming." This shifts gears, though to an almost surf-like rhythm with a bit of what sounds like steel string ... and, uh, yeh, I'm thinking again of Chaquico, which I did also during "Territories" later in the album. But then the shimmering guitar leads of "Maybrick Is The Ripper" make you think Taaffe is going into a softer direction. Hardly, as shimmers give way to razor sharp slices of guitar over very heavy bass and percussion -- ripper indeed. "The Reef" begins as a mid-tempo piece that recalls rush, but here again, things quickly change to something chunkier, harder -- softness is just the tease, as Taaffe means business here.

"Winter Passage" is another standout track; the opening, plucked-guitar notes of "Plymouth Rock" will almost sound familiar, as you think Taaffe is going to launch into a cover of Yes' "Roundabout." But a close listen will reveal a few nods to many other classics -- I think of "A Summer Place" specifically. It lasts only 2 minutes, so it goes by, unfortunately, very quickly.

As self-produced album, this is pretty good. The drums are synthetic, but it hardly matters as the guitars are the focus. And maybe it doesn't matter because they are balanced right in the mix that you aren't, at least I wasn't, constantly thinking of them as being created by a drum machine. Yes, focusing in on them, you can at times tell -- a certain stiffness, coldness. There's a danger when you are solo soloist of focusing more on the solo than the piece as a whole. Even though it's Taaffe on all instruments, it often sounds as if there must have been a band backing him.

Those looking for incredibly fast shred fests will be disappointed, but those who want tough but lyrical leads...those who want compositions are going to be pleased. I daresay, those who are thinking there are no new guitar rock albums to explore, need only look here to get their fix." - Stephanie Sollow, ProgressiveWorld.net

"This CD reminds me of early Joe Satriani, a la Surfing With The Alien-era.  The style of playing and musical compositions are very similar, so is the overall sound.  This is, however, not something I would categorize as "progressive."

Denis Taaffe wrote, engineered and mixed all of the songs himself in his home studio.  This is something I am fond of, since my own band started out this way many years ago.  I like this CD.  It is, as Denis says in the liner notes, something that will appeal to guitar fans.  Compositionally similar to Satriani's work, some of the more interesting tracks are "Abducted by Aliens," "The Storm," and "Winter Passage."

With a real band to back him up (especially some live drums) and more work on the mixing to bring out punch in the guitars and drums, Taaffe could find himself enjoying success in the crowded realm of instrumental guitar." - Rowen Poole, Progression Magazine

"Crossing the boundaries of hard rock, instrumental metal fusion and ambient space rock with ease, Indiana-based guitarist Denis Taaffe takes listeners on a sonic joyride that delivers more than just a few thrills. Performing all the instruments himself, Taaffe began the recording of his first solo album back in '97. Although it took two years and a barrage of financial hardships to make, the wait is clearly worth it. Consisting of 13 kinetic instrumentals and two ambient-rock vocal tracks, Abducted By Aliens is at times reminiscent of recent high-octane albums by giants like Jeff Beck and Jan Hammer, although Taaffe's enthusiasm and dynamic audio sensibilities helps to give the album it's one of a kind sound and vision. Essential listening for rock enthusiasts and jazz-rock fusion fans looking for an intelligent guitar instrumental album that really rocks, Denis Taaffe's Abducted By Aliens is a compelling introduction to a new guitar luminary with a high-tech and electrifying sound." - 20th Century Guitar (September 1999)

"A guitarist clearly on the cutting edge where music meets technology, Denis Taaffe recently released his second solo album. The results mirror the astounding sonic depth and futuristic musical altitude so apparent on Taaffe’s ‘99 album, Modern Rock Guitar. Vol 1. - Abducted By Aliens. More than merely a soundtrack to a prophetic sci-fi flick, the newly released Modern Rock Guitar. Vol 2. - Alien Guitar picks up where Vol. 1 leaves off and then some. Concerning his new album Taaffe adds, "I was hoping to find some new guitar sounds and wanted to do a CD that was really different than my first CD. Most of the tracks on the CD are improvised with a worked out underlying structure. I really feel it has let me grow musically." The addition of an array of new guitar technology has further opened up Taaffe’s sound which he still simply describes as "mood music". Taaffe’s been compared to legends like Jeff Beck, The Edge and David Gilmour and not without good reason. Few guitarists bridge the gap between smart guitar playing and modern technology as well as Taaffe. Performing everything himself with just one guitar, guitar loops on the fly and drum programs, Denis Taaffe brings electric guitar music a giant step further into the 21st Century." - Music Web Express

"After reading Michael Allison's review of this CD on his website The Global Muse, I knew that I had to hear this CD. I have this seemingly insatiable appetite for instrumental music, particularly guitar oriented rock. Denis Taaffe's Modern Rock Guitar Volume II is the second volume of instrumental works from this newfound guitar genius. It's a wonder where on earth these great musicians like Taaffe come from. Independent music is so exciting and vital. As far as I am concerned, it's the lifeblood of the Internet.

With a breathtaking combination of rock, jazz, and blues, Taaffe makes his instrument talk ... and it has a whole lot to say. What you will hear is live in the studio, all of it. What makes it all that much more incredible is that the tracks are all done in one take. That is the mark of a true professional craftsman.

This guy is a real rarity in today's age of studio wizardry and technological enhancements. Taaffe layers the guitar parts... and what it ends up sounding like is a literal guitar army, but it's only him. He coaxes some unique tones from the six-string; you could easily be fooled into believing that you are hearing another instrument, like a synthesizer. The titles of each song are just what the doctor ordered. "Free," "Courage," and "Formations," serve as pathways to a vision that ultimately fit the words defined by the titles.

Music like this has to be heard to fully understand its impact. It's simply amazing." - Keith Hannaleck, ProgressiveWorld.net

"Guitarist Denis Taaffe puts his guitar rig into overdrive on his latest album of sequenced guitar loops and heavy percussion beats. Performing all the electric guitar parts and sequencing sublime drum loop patterns, Taaffe’s intriguing one man band approach reaps rewards on what is clearly his best solo album to date. Sounding greatly inspired by the skill and vision of say, Robert Fripp combined the dynamic guitar pyrotechnics of Robin Trower, Taaffe lays down the almighty groove on MRG3. Proof that mixing improvised rock guitar and drum loops can be both challenging and entertaining, MRG3 conjures a wide variety of musical moods and settings while exuding a strong aura of originality and intensity." - Music Web Express 3000