Bloom [Digipak] by Eric Johnson (Guitar)

Pros: Solid instrumentals, some interesting changes of pace.

Cons: Will strike some as eclecticism for its own sake.

The Bottom Line: Bloom can be a frustrating album at times and a bit of a hit-or-miss affair. Overall, a solid album choice for guitar fans.

Review: With Bloom [2005, Favored Nations], guitarist Eric Johnson [b. 1954-], has big shoes to fill: his own. With each album, the pressure builds within the guitarist’s fanbase for something that in many ways matches his past glories ...

Pros: Johnson's tone and abilities are unmatched.

Cons: Not all that exciting at times.

The Bottom Line: Big fans of Eric Johnson and those who appreciate jazzier instrumentals should pick this one up. Everyone else should pass.

Review: Any fan of Eric Johnson knows that he is an absolute perfectionist. He's been willing to scrap months of work on an album to start over from scratch if the "vibe" isn't right. While his new album Bloom comes nine years after his previous solo effort ...