Robert Neary
Listen to: "i am machine"
Buy The CD
This is very straight forward heavy rock from gifted rock/metal guitarist Robert Croydon, who's based in Surrey, UK. Robert is an amazingly talented player, influenced by Steve Vai and Joe Satriani, but he brings modern sensibilities to his playing. I really love the song "I'm a Machine," which emulates classic, melodic heavy metal (Dio, Black Sabbath) incorporating extremely subtle and well placed elements of newer bands like Korn and Tool. "You're Always On My Mind" demonstrates how lyrical his playing can be but still maintains a hard edge. Robert is handling all of the instrumental tracks and vocals himself, so maybe my suggestion here would be to put some high end modulation on the vocals and everything would be totally killer. "Can You Feel It" is a bit of a departure in that he uses some sampled dialogue for a kind of urban/metal blend. Nice work on the hi-hat too. If radio ever starts playing song-based guitar rock again, these songs could all be hits. Robert Neary is a refreshing discovery on Starpolish.

The Worley Gig
Random Excerpts From My Ass Kicking Year (Or Scattered Thoughts on the Music of 2002)
Monday, January 27, 2003

Top Ten Bands/Artists I Discovered Through Star polish in 2002

You can download MP3's of all these artists right here on this site, so take my word for it, because you know how much I rule, and check out these artists for some excellent unheard music.

Annie Minogue
Gazpacho
Stone'd Grace
Eric Coleville
Robert Neary
Johnny Lokke
Modulator
Latter Day Saints
Lifesize
The Luxury Stars
http://www.starpolish.com/news/article.asp?id=540

While Robert Neary's guitar playing has a distinct Satriani/Vai style influence,

the fact that he is a gifted composer writing true instrumental, guitar-rock-anthems with memorable-melodies and catchy riffs shines through. This (Cruise Control, Star Screamer) is the kind of music you want on your car stereo on those sunny summer days when you driving with top down or sun roof open.

On the track Robert does with vocals a clear 80's rock influence is present, and the songs have a film soundtrack type of upbeatness something you could imagine hearing on classic 80's movies such as Top Gun easily. The guitar riff on Your Always On My Mind had an almost Berlin / new wave style influence- combined with Robert's modern alternative style vocals.

This is a talent to keep watchig for more good music...

~Kat W.

Deep Blue Wonders Music Publishing ASCAP

Know what you mean about wanting to get out and do it?that seems like the only way...

realy like your music great feel...

very catchy..

vocals are excellent..

good atitude in the voice..

lyrics great..

guitar playing superb..

"your always on my mind"do realy like this track

"road rage"yet again another..lively cant stop taping feet song...

Have to go back to work,will listen to the rest later

Keep it flowing mate youve got alot happening there..

You will be Famous with atitude like this

the strange thing is music is in the sole..Once you start you cant stop..

Hey Robert...it usually works like this: You review mine, I review yours. Thats what ya get when you actually start the thread yourself << OLE Object: Picture (Metafile) >> Also, why wouldn't you have started your own thread asking for reviews (like Im doing) if you haven't had any "musicians" reviewing your stuff? Well, I made an exception and checked out a few of your songs anyways. The first song: Needed a guitar solo, especially if you are a solo guitarist (as it says at the top of your page) The song: "Can you feel it" Tight guitars...fun to mix up some rapp and guitars. I would know << OLE Object: Picture (Metafile) >> www.chillious.com (Put Your Guns Down) I was the guitarist on that song. The bass in this song "Can You Feel it" is a little too bumpin though. Sounds like its gonna bust my woofer...lol Its all good though man. I love music cuz its so objective. If I think arrangement and sound qaulity is good, then your on the right track, right? Cuz my opnion of the "style" is irrelavent. The song "Road Rage":also tight rythm's. Wheres all the soloing though? Well, I guess it just leaves more room for me to play over and have fun listening and playin to it...lol. Get yourself into some modes and start flexin' some scales brotha'. I hear a little bit attempted here and there in this song, but you could do better bro, I know it. You sound a little reserved while soloing. Practice soloing more and get more loose and melodic and dont be affraid to cut loose and get crazy either (as long as its placed properly) I took a few lessons from Dave Weiner too,(www.Daveweiner.com) of the Steve Vai band last summer and he would say to really excercise those fingers! Coordination excercises to a metronome and practice clean. Its builds up things you'll be surprised to hear from yourself if you just discipline yourself.

Peace, "ChaiVat"

Ok, I found you thru another post you made.
So here's my review:
"I am a machine". The guitar sounds good, drums are obviously done with a drum computer, needs some breaks. Vocals in some parts ( "I am a machine" parts ) remind me a bit of Dave Mustaine. It also sounds like you hit the mic by accident at 3:12 and 3:16

"You're always on my mind" reminds me a lot of Steve Vai, a bit the "sex & religion" style. It is a catchy guitar tune. Vocals are sometime a bit out of tune( in the bridge part where you go higher on the notes )

"Can you feel it" Satriani meets rappper?. The riff the guitar starts with sounds a lot like satriani. The chorus sounds like "no sleep till Brooklyn" from the beasty boys.
This is not my thing, too me it gets too boring too soon( you wanted me to be honest ! )

"Road Rage". This is a song that should be played loud while driving your car ! Tight uptempo song with great solo work !!! This is more my style !!! I really love the solo !
"Star screamer". I thought the sound of the rhythm guitar was a bit unclear. Again I love the lead, especially the sensitive melody lines.

"Carlos?". Yep sounds a lot like carlos santana. Nice uptempo song. Also love the other instruments, they add a lot of power to the song, especially the keyboards.

"the loner" Again I get the satriani feeling. The two handed tapping sounds good, personally I would have liked it better if the tempo was a lot higher ! But a very good song !

"Way out of here". Reminds me again of steve vai's "Sex& Religion" Nice song, but needs some more action. It gets better when the distortion sets in !

"Cruise control" Cool uptempo song, good solowork in there ! Cool change in the song ! Both the solo and rhythm sound good.

Well enough reviewed for today !!!
I just signed up on mp3.com today so it will take some time to get my song up approved, but review it if you want once it is approved!

I have some songs of my metal band up here. The band is called Dissenter( Netherlands ). Take a look there to listen to some metal, or wait until Satrianus is approved to listen to instrumental music !

Good luck
Satrianus
Cool, a free cd ! thanx a lot man. And that for my first review here on mp3.com !! Very cool

Robert neary

Album; Evolution

Essential album under the heavy metal recomends section