2007 Self-released
Instrumental, psychedelic, rock

3.5 out of 5

The old adage "age is only a number" is usually employed to make the jaded aging feel better, but in this case, it applies in a very different manner.

At only 15 years old, songwriter John Ricco has managed to display a rare level of competence, if not mastery, of not a single instrument, but the whole band. Ricco's first official release features him playing drums, bass, guitars, and keys. He also recorded and produced the whole thing on his own.

Drawing on a pallette of modern and classic sounds, multi-instrumentalist Ricco has expertly crafted four tracks. The acid rock and Latin-tinged pieces are very reminiscent of Mars Volta guitarist Omar Rodriguez-Lopez's solo work, with the lead guitar driving the jams over clattering percussion and bass-and-keyboard driven grooves.

The result, while at some points derivitave of Ricco's admitted influences, is impressively sophisticated, and would still be for a musician twice his age. Considering the achievements he's made so far, John Ricco deserves careful attention as he continues to grow as an artist.

Sounds like: Omar Rodriguez-Lopez, Miles Davis, Don Caballero
Top track: "Non Lateral"