Electric instrumentals from axe-master trioby Anonymous

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August 23, 2002: Instrumentals have been a mainstay of rock and country since their inception, and those driven by electric guitar have popped up repeatedly since the instrument?s invention. From steel-and-guitar combos like Speedy West and Jimmy Bryant to Buck Owens & Don Rich?s twin telecasters to British Invasion acts like The Shadows to innumerable surf bands to fusionists like Joe Satriani and recent instrumental bands like Los Straitjackets, the electric guitar has logged a lot of time in the spotlight.

The trio of guitarists that make up the Hellecasters (Fairport Convention?s Jerry Donahue, The Desert Rose Band?s John Jorgenson, and session picker Will Ray) are all masters of the six-string sting. Their talents include firebrand flat-picking, cozy slide playing, nearly inhuman string-bending and the sort of finger-tapping histrionics that fueled many of Eddie Van Halen?s solos. What makes their music unique is that the guitar isn?t spotlit for a solo, it?s the basis. And it?s not one virtuoso, it?s three, trading licks and prodding each other to ever greater heights.

The band?s fourth album, their first for Hightone, continues their application of legendary playing to a broad array of originals and a cover of Noel Redding?s ''Little Miss Strange.'' The glee in their trio playing keeps this from being an academic exercise, though the constant onslaught of guitar pyrotechnics may be too intense for all but the guitar aficionado. As catchy as some of the melodies are, the laid-back, languorous solos are generally outweighed by dramatic, heavyweight playing. Sure to be a favorite of guitar fanatics.

3-1/2 stars, if bn.com allowed fractional ratings.