The name Michael Schenker is synonymous with melodic rock guitar. From his vinyl debut on Scorpions "Lonesome Crow" at age fifteen, through his legend-making stint with UFO and his on-again off-again Michael Schenker Group, the man once referred to as "the Blonde Bomber" has amassed a large catalog of guitar-driven rock within which can be found many classic songs. "Lights Out", "Doctor, Doctor", "Love To Love", "Natural Thing", "Rock Bottom", "Into The Arena", "Lost Horizons", "Lovedrive", "Gimme Your Love", "Anytime", and "When I'm Gone" are some of the more obvious highlights. The latest addition to this impressive body of work is the long awaited electric instrumental Adventures of the Imagination. This record is the electric counterpart to the phenomenal Thank You acoustic CD from 1993.

The disc kicks off with the uptempo "Achtung Fertig, Los" (English translation: "Ready, set, go" - Thanks, Axel!). The melody is signature Schenker, but this track fails to create much excitement as it is a bit repetitive melody-wise and never really delivers the blistering solo that you're hoping for. "Open Gate" follows again chock full of Schenkerisms. such as the breezy harmonies and stops that are so associated with Michael's playing. This track is much stronger than the opener yet still leaves you eagerly awaiting the big shred finale. Track three, entitled "Three Fish Dancing" is a mid-tempo rocker which, again, is pretty standard fare and features a nice acoustic/electric middle section which is reminiscent of Thank You. This track is perhaps a bit too long, as it never quite builds to any kind of climax and eventually segues into a track apparently named after Michael's son, "Michael Schenker Junior". This is a softer, melodic piece with some really tasty harmony lines and a moody feel. I feel it should be said that the rhythm section on this CD (namely Aynsley Dunbar on drums and John Onder, bass) is surprisingly boring as there are very few fills and no real odd meter grooves which can really keep this kind of instrumental rock from sounding run of the mill. Perhaps this is what Schenker wanted, but I feel the record would've been stronger had he recruited Shane Gaalaas and Barry Sparks who were most likely busy with Uli Jon Roth (the other God of Euroguitar) on his forthcoming double-CD Transcendental Sky Guitar.

The oddly titled "Aardvark in a VW Smoking a Cigar" is next and sees Michael pick it up a little in the solo section but, disappointingly, lapse back into a slow droning riff which recalls the track "Rock You To The Ground" (also known as "Slow Blues") from the Built To Destroy album. Again, the acoustic part is the highlight here, which is fine except that this is supposed to be an "Electric Instrumental" as printed on the cd cover. Not that acoustic sections aren't welcome, but there is a marked absence of the screaming double-stops and stun gun fretwork we've all come to expect on a Schenker release. If I sound a bit harsh, it's only because my expectations were so high for this disc as it had been rumored and hinted at for years. There is supposed to be a companion instrumental CD released through Michael's official website sometime in July. (Visit "Michael Schenker Records" to pre-order). Perhaps the second disc will be a bit more shredworthy (to coin a phrase). [Editor's note: The instrumental CD, titled Wanted, has now been "put on hold" according to Schenker's website.]

"Old Man With Sheep On Mars" has Michael finally breaking his chains and tearing it up but it seems too little, too late. "At The End Of The Day" starts with a familiar, strummed acoustic riff that sounds like Boston or maybe BTO's "Let It Ride" and displays some more nice harmony guitars on top. Disc closer "Hand In Hand" is a little different for Michael Schenker as the main melody is carried by a very seventies sounding synth. This is strangely one of my favorite tracks as it has that cinematic quality that Michael has captured in the past on tracks such as "Bijou Pleasurette" and "There Has To Be Another Way" (from the first MSG release and Save Yourself, respectively) and makes the perfect final track.

In closing, I'd like to say that this is not a bad disc, I just feel it lacks the fire that Michael Schenker has so often unleashed over the years. Never fear, Schenkerheads…new UFO will be landing soon enough. Michael's probably saving the big guns for that one.

Reviewed by Nostradumbass

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