Review

With every review of a new album by Vienna-based American Eric Arn, I face the same challenge: How can I find the right words to describe his stylistic inability to fit any category, without simply limiting myself to that phrase? First, I could determine which category Eric Arn doesn't fit. Categorizing his approach as "American Primitive"—which would be obvious, given his background—would be inaccurate, because Arn lacks the nostalgic touch typical of the genre. Traces of the classic fingerstyle guitar genre can be found in some melodies ("Sunrills"), but that's about it. He also has nothing in common with the legendary Brits (Graham, Renbourn, Jansch) and their seemingly romantic folk/blues influences. On the other hand, Arn doesn't approach things as radically abstractly as, say, Derek Bailey, even if the occasional hectic passage on "Fixed Idea" may recall the pioneer of free improvisation on the guitar. If I had to name a musical neighborhood for Eric Arn based on a single album, I would most likely choose Larry Coryell and his solo album "Standing Ovations." Jazz, then. But Arn doesn't play classical jazz guitar either. And so I ultimately conclude what I already announced at the beginning: Eric Arn plays Eric Arn. His exploration of the instrument and the resulting compositions/improvisations can best be described as an expression of contemporary instrumental guitar music. The present is at the center of his aesthetic endeavors, or, to put it more soberly: work on the material. It would be wrong, however, to conclude that we are dealing here with artless and uninspired finger exercises. Far from it. Time and again, Arn evokes memories of historical role models and musical traditions, without, however, falling into the simple reproduction of musical clichés. In this versatile, accomplished way of handling his instrument, he also reminds me of Sir Richard Bishop. In terms of generation, it might not quite fit, as Bishop is a bit older, but both gained experience in the musical underground of the 1980s and 1990s: Arn as a member of The Crystalized Movements and Primordial Undermind, Bishop as guitarist of Sun City Girls. This milieu, too, has left its mark on the style of the Viennese-by-choice artist, and he remains both marginal and at the center of current events. He was recently on tour with the "Nachwuchs" (Young Talent) and played concerts with Liam Grant. Eric Arn is present, "fixe Idee" (fixed idea) is in the works, and the going continues.