Best Young Guitarists 40ish & Under: Spencer Gill

Age: ??

Bands: Tides of Man

Essential Album: Young and Courageous by Tides of Man

Spencer Gill, the lead guitarist for Tides of Man, is fierce and innovative in his writing and melodicism. I first heard his guitar playing on Tides of Man's Dreamhouse album. The first song on that album, Not My Love 2, is epic. The guitar parts feel orchestral, with so much power and sweeping movement. Then, when the vocals kick in, the guitar suddenly becomes atmospheric, and it uplifts the vocals. But the guitar throughout that entire song is lightning in a bottle—meaning that it isn't just a single flash of riffage or inspiration, it is a shifting, ricocheting, electric series of bright pops and flashes. It is genius. Later in the album, the song Chemical Fires is just a gorgeous and controlled display of beauty that never overpowers. His guitar always supports the framework of the song.

After the lead singer left the band, Tides of Man went into the cocoon and reinvented themselves, emerging as one of the most dynamic and respected instrumental rock/post-rock bands on planet Earth. The album, Young and Courageous is monumental, an absolute masterpiece or songcraft and musicianship. And it is all anchored around Spencer's soaring, beautiful, and mesmerizing guitar work.

HERE is a link to Tides of Man's Audiotree Live session where they play songs from their Young and Courageous album.