Gary Hoey--Animal Instinct (1993/Reprise) Rating--6.8

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Hoey is a primarily-instrumental guitarist from California, and his carefree style occasionally hints at that locale. His closest comparison would be some of Joe Satriani's work, though at this stage in his career the music and flow is still a bit disjointed. The songwriting doesn't stand out yet, as there is a bit of a lack of originality. Things will improve, though.
The energetic "Mass Hysteria" is a good opener, and the strong "Deep South Café" has some sassy rhythm grooving. Both "Texas Son" and "Drive" are good, with the latter being happy and Satriani-ish, as mentioned before.
Sidenote: jack-of-trades drummer Frankie Banali lends some helping sticks to this disc.

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TRACK LIST: Mass Hysteria/Animal Instinct/Hocus Pocus/Bert's Lounge/Texas Son/Deep South Cafe/Motown Fever/Fade to Blue/Drive/Jamie

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