BUMBLEFOOT

"... Returns" (Deko Music; 2025)

Reviewed by R. Scott Bolton

Ron "Bumblefoot" Thal is one of the most respected musicians in the world. Having performed with Guns N'Roses, Asia, Lita Ford, Sons of Apollo, Whom Gods Destroy and many more, Thal has proven himself to be a multi-faceted musician with some of the most unique talent on the planet.

".... Returns" is Bumblefoot's ninth solo album, and its chock full of mind-blowing instrumental music that will have your head spinning and your mind expanding. From the sci-fi sounds of "Simon in Space," to the electric country hoedown of "Moonshine Hootenanny" to the classical buzz of "Chopin Waltz Op64 No2", the melancholy blues of "Once In Forever," and others, "... Returns" will reach out, grab your attention and then hold onto it like Velcro hooks and loops.

And the appearance of guests like Steve Vai, Brian May, Guthrie Govan and Ben Karas only enhance the already brilliant compositions and recordings.

As I've said elsewhere on these pages, sometimes it's difficult to review instrumental albums. They have to be listened to differently because there are no lyrics telling the story. The music has to do that. But, as in the case of his Whom Gods Destroy bandmate Derek Sherinian, Bumblefoot's music makes it easy. "... Returns" is full, rich and complex and tells its stories clearly through the sound. It's not just the stunning musical performance that catches your ear here, but the composition, production and storytelling as well. It's an incredible listen and one that I highly, highly recommend.

For more information, check out https://bumblefoot.com.  

"... Returns" (Deko Music; 2025)

Reviewed by Snidermann

To make it in the music industry takes talent, luck, connections and more luck and to do it as an instrumentalist is another thing all together. Mixed in with all the bullshit I mentioned before, you have to have a handle (name) (like Bumblefoot), you have to the balls the size of a city and you have to be more than self-assured.

Now on to the new release from Ron "Bumblefoot" Thal: His current release is "... Returns." If you look at the cover art, you see a spaceship in a type of battle. My imagination goes on from there. The first two songs are "Simon in Space" and "Planetary Lockdown," and the last one is "Liftoff." Being a big science fiction fan, I immediately go into science fiction mode. Just when I get into that frame of mind, suddenly there is a Chopin Waltz done rock style, another musical curve to be maneuvered.

This is a very interesting recording to say the least and the musician guests are worthy of mentioning; Steve Vai, Dr. Brian May and Guthrie Govern and Ben Karas (Electric violin master who played with Electric Light Orchestra and others). Without the use of words Bumblefoot (real name Ronald Jay Blumenthal (aka Ron Thal). There were some parts of this recording, where Bumblefoot is not playing for an audience, he's playing just for himself. He picked the moniker Bumblefoot from a bacterial infection while helping his wife with veterinary studies (don't know why I mentioned that, I just thought it was interesting). "... Returns" projects a solid base so that the listener can use their imagination to figure out what the hell this mess is about.

This dude does not need any fricken words to get his point across. I loved every aspect of this recording; every song, every note, every nuance. All I had to do was sit back and let the music take me away and, frankly, that is what music is all about: feeling.

How does this shit make me feel in one word? Fricken great (okay, two words). I have listened to this recording three times and I still can’t figure out what the hell I am listening to.

For more information, check out https://bumblefoot.com.  

Rating Guide:

A classic. This record will kick your ass.

Killer. Not a classic but it will rock your world.

So-so. You've heard better.

Pretty bad. Might make a nice coaster.

Self explanatory. Just the sight of the cover makes you wanna hurl.

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