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CHRIS CAFFERY
20 Years Of The Music Man
Metalville Records

Jesters!
Knights!
Obscenely priced Starbucks coffee?

Since his formal initial entry into legendary Tampa, Florida progressive metallers SAVATAGE in 1989, guitarist Chris Caffery has not only made a name and a sound for himself within the band itself, but he's practically become the band's best-known member and spokesperson - much so that he's been able to craft a solo career out from that same tenure. And all the more impressive is that with the number of side projects he's formed even when TRANS-SIBERIAN ORCHESTRA - also originally a side project itself with late founder Paul O'Neill - was burgeoning into something big, was that Caffery's managed to maintain a consistent solo career for 20 years and counting as the Music Man.

In his own words: "In 2004, I released my first solo record. I wasn't sure what to expect; I just knew I wanted to make some music on my own. It was a time when I had a lot of questions, not only about myself but where certain parts of my life were heading. The 'Music Man' in me decided to use my energy positively."

And henceforth, 20 Years Of The Music Man was born. With a very personal selection of 21 songs from his successful solo career including songs from his previous solo albums as well as rare and unreleased tracks, Chris has done an admirable job of summarizing his two-decade long career in a neat double album collection. From heavy progressive pieces to drama-laden ballads to even a couple of punching socially-conscious numbers, 20 Years covers lots of musical ground and showcases much of both Caffery and even SAVATAGE's latter-period influences.

Opening with "The Jester's Court", the track has a classic "Hall Of The Mountain King"-sounding vibe while the spiraling number "May Day" heralds some of Caffery's most complex and intricate riffs. The same can also he said further in with tracks such as the frivolous-sounding "Edge Of Darkness" from 2005's concept album W.A.R.P.E.D. and the solid progressive aura of "Fright Knights". Yet, perhaps the most familiar-sounding number from the entire compilation here would be the rage-driving tongue-in-cheek number "Pisses Me Off" from Caffery's 2004 debut solo album Faces which rails against any and all modern trials and tribulations of everyday life - though I question why the radio-edited version of the song had been included considering how KNAC used to play the uncensored version on regular rotation. It's also more of a conundrum when other tracks such as "S.O.T.S. (Sick Of This Shit)" and "Y.G.B.F.K.M. (You Gotta Be Fucking Kidding Me)" on the second half of the album are uncensored despite not having been released as singles themselves. That said, "Pisses Me Off" only gets a pass here for being a KNAC staple despite its lyrical content not having entirely aged well; "S.O.T.S." and "Y.G.B.F.K.M." just appear to exist so as to coast on the reaction from "Pisses Me Off" despite their overall presence on this album.

The second half of 20 Years mostly harkens towards the somber-sounding tone reflecting upon the TSO era of Caffery's solo career and perhaps where his playing is more varied, starting with the straight-ahead opener "Seasons Change". "Like a rotating door/Its stories will take me away" proclaims the chorus as it sets the course of the remainder of the album. Following up would be the uplifting number "My Light" and the personable-sounding and previously unreleased "I Miss You...Sometimes" while "Your Heaven Is Real" demonstrates some fine STYX-inspired time changes with some heavier riffs. And despite 20 Years climaxing with the solemn acoustic number "Then She's Gone", it caps off a current musical legacy which challenges both the listener to navigate through as much so for the artist who lived and wrote about it. And with SAVATAGE preparing its own return to the stage after a near-quarter century hiatus, Chris Caffery's own legacy and voice will be able to build beyond his two decades in the business.

4.0 Out Of 5.0

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