Search - Monte Montgomery :: Wishing Well

From that seemingly bottomless pit of Austin, Texas-based guitarist-songwriters, Monte Montgomery's third album is a splendid, if journeyman, affair. Montgomery's voice is strong without being distinguished; his lyrics don't offer many startling insights into the battle of the sexes and rarely stray from the usual tried-and-tested themes. Still, the material does allow the instrumental work to grab the listener's attention. With a small coterie of long-term compadres providing the rhythm, guitars are multi-tracked to great effect, notably on the brief instrumental, "Bagpipe." Known principally for his acoustic guitar playing, Montgomery places it at the heart of most of these songs with layered bluesy slide or electric solos providing the color. The effect is reminiscent of the sound that Lindsey Buckingham produced for Fleetwood Mac. The long ballad "All on Me" gives Montgomery a chance to stretch and his guitar shines on the long fade-out. "Tomorrow Begins with Today" has Montgomery demonstrating his versatility behind a great piano hook and the closing "Radio Girl" mixes tempos effortlessly, creating memorable power pop in the verses, and a big-ballad anthem for the chorus. --Rob Stewart