IGOR LISUL
- guitar music from the soul -
GUITARIST AND COMPOSER
Guitar music from the soul
"Welcome to my secret place! Enjoy...Find your peace here...Close your eyes... And everything will be all right ~ "
REVIEWS
"Japanese Heart" song review
"Just because you've never been to Japan is there anything you can't talk about Japan? No, there isn't. Even if you are in distant Serbia, it is exactly Japan that actually exists in your heart. Japan is your longing. Japan is the desire to be with you. It shortens the distance between each other. When I am listening to your music, I feel Japan."
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Review by @motanmozo from twitter
"Celtic Legends" song review
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"Celtic Legends" is the first single from Serbian guitarist/composer Igor Lisul, an artist who has been publishing music on the internet since 2011. He has released more than twenty albums as free downloads and has two that are for sale. Igor composes music in styles that include art rock, guitar ballads and soft rock instrumentals.
"Celtic Legends" begins with a smooth orchestrated intro that includes strings, drums and percussion. Once the electric guitar enters, the piece becomes a beautifully-flowing instrumental rock ballad very suitable for a slow dance or to simply get lost in. This is the first of Igor Lisul's music that I've heard, but I'll be checking out more of his albums very soon!
"Celtic Legends" is available from Amazon, Apple Music/iTunes, and streaming sites such as Spotify. Be sure to give this one a listen!
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- Kathy Parsons, www.MainlyPiano.com -
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"Evening song" song review
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"Evening Song" is a soulful electric guitar single by Serbian composer/guitarist Igor Lisul. Backed by atmospheric keyboard washes and a strong rhythm, this could be the perfect song for a romantic slow dance on a moonlit night. Since he started publishing his music on the internet ten years ago, Igor has released more than twenty albums as free downloads and now also has two that are for sale online. "Evening Song" is his second single. Igor composes music in styles that include art rock, guitar ballads and soft rock instrumentals like this one. I really like what I've heard of his music so far!
"Evening Song" is available from Amazon, Apple Music/iTunes, Spotify and other streaming sites.
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- Kathy Parsons, www.MainlyPiano.com -
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"Earth angels" song review
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"Earth Angels" is an electric guitar single by Serbian artist Igor Lisul. The song begins with an angelic keyboard prelude before the guitar enters and takes the lead. Keyboard washes give the music depth and dimension throughout. About halfway into the piece, drums and percussion are added and the rest of the song feels more like a rock ballad. It's a very enjoyable and interesting piece! "Earth Angels" is available from Amazon, Apple Music/iTunes and streaming sites such as Spotify.
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- Kathy Parsons, www.MainlyPiano.com -
"Always and forever" song review
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"Always and Forever" is a soulful single release from Serbian composer/guitarist Igor Lisul. Lisul's electric guitar is backed with synth string washes and a driving drum and bass rhythm, making the piece closer to a pop instrumental than new age, but that isn't important for our purposes! Warm and very expressive, the piece could easily be the soundtrack to a romantic slow dance that becomes more intense and passionate as it unfolds. This is the fourth single that I've reviewed of Igor Lisul's music this year, and I really like the sincerity and emotional power of his music."
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- Kathy Parsons, www.MainlyPiano.com -
"Universe" album review
Universe is the third album (plus several singles) by Igor Lisul, a left-handed guitarist and composer from Kikinda, Serbia. Lisul is a mostly self-taught musician and the twelve original instrumental tracks reflect on a variety of life experiences and moods. Most of the pieces are played on electric guitar with percussion and keyboard orchestration; two tracks are solo electric guitar. Quoting Lisul: "My main genre is art rock instrumental, but it can also be characterized as guitar soul rock music or soft rock music. My music is rather emotional, melodic and uplifting." I agree.
The album begins with "Freedom," a passionate anthem that stirs the soul. The electric guitar melody is lively and expressive while the drums drive the piece with a compelling rhythm. Ethereal keyboard washes in the background keep the music grounded while the guitar soars. "A Day In Spring" is a joyous instrumental rock ballad that all but dances on air. "Summer Rain" slows down the tempo a bit and reminds me of sitting by a window and watching it rain (I do that a lot here on the Oregon Coast!). Dreamy and wistful, I really like this one! "The Colours of Love" is a passionate rock slow dance that comes from the heart. "Tenderness" is one of the softer pieces on the album. There are no drums or percussion on this one - just the guitar and atmospheric keyboard washes. I really like this one, too! The soaring electric guitar in "The Joy of Life" will have you rocking in your chair (or wherever you happen to be!). "Journeys" is a gentle electric guitar solo that feels very personal and intimate - almost conversational. I hope Lisul will consider doing more recordings with just the guitar, as this is my favorite track on the album. "Romantic Skies" makes me think of watching a sunset on the beach with a loved one - is there anything better? "Story" is also solo electric guitar. I really like the openness of Lisul's solo guitar music and how it communicates so directly with the listener. The album closes with "At the End of the Day," a soulful piece with keyboard washes and drums/percussion that keep it moving forward.
Universe is a great choice for fans of progressive rock or art rock and is a great way to get acquainted with Igor Lisul and his music. The album is available to download or stream on Amazon and Apple Music/iTunes, and is also available on all of the streaming platforms. Check it out!
- Kathy Parsons, www.MainlyPiano.com -
"The Bouquet of Dreams" album review
The Bouquet of Dreams is a collection of nine original electric guitar solos by Serbian guitarist/composer Igor Lisul and is his third album (plus a single) released so far in 2022. Quoting Igor: "The Bouquet of Dreams is a very meditative clean electric guitar only album." A mostly self-taught left-handed guitarist who plays the strings in the reverse order, Igor has been releasing his albums and singles on the internet for quite a few years and is very prolific. Much of his music is of an "art rock" style, but The Bouquet of Dreams is much quieter and more delicate. The other recordings that I've reviewed of Igor's music have included percussion and keyboard accompaniment, but this one is just electric guitar and I actually like the sound quite a bit better.
The Bouquet of Dreams begins with "Happy Summer Days," a warm and dreamy piece that looks back to those lazy summer days of our youth when school was out and we could do pretty much whatever the spirit moved us to do. (My interpretation!) "Rain Shower" includes the sound of thunder and rain falling. Tinged with melancholy, it also has a dreamy, reflective expression about it. "Dance of the Tall Trees" moves slowly like a tall tree in a breeze - lazy and unhurried. The title track is quietly introspective - a guitarist letting his mind wander as he plays. "Homeland" seems to be telling a story and I assume that it's about Serbia. "On a Sunny Day" feels very light and carefree, expressing the joy of being outside enjoying nature and all that it has to offer. The happy innocence of "The Carousel" is much like its namesake. You can almost feel the up and down, circular movement in the music. "The Weeping Willow" returns to a more introspective, dreamy feeling and seems to look within - a favorite. "A Beautiful Twilight" is blissfully romantic and peaceful, and brings the album to a tranquil close - a very nice ending!
The Bouquet of Dreams is available to download and stream on Amazon, Bandcamp and Apple Music/iTunes and can be streamed on sites that include Spotify. Check it out!
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- Kathy Parsons, www.MainlyPiano.com -
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"Alive" album reviews
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"I’ve been taking a break from my blog for a while now since I’m working on other writing projects, but once in a while I come across music that is so good that I have to talk about it. This musician is named Igor Lisul and he’s from Kikinda, Serbia, a small city near the Hungarian and Romanian borders. He’s been playing guitar since a young age and he specialises in art/prog rock guitar instrumentals inspired by guitarists like Joe Satriani and Steve Vai. A lot of people listen to music for the lyrics or vocals, but I’m someone who has a big appreciation for the guitars and instrumentals and instrumental rock is a very under appreciated genre of rock music, but the truth is these instrumental songs of the early 60s were important in shaping the classic rock we know and love. So many British baby boomer guitarists call The Shadows’ “Apache” one of those life changing songs and one of the first songs that inspired them to play guitar and one of the first they learnt to play.
I love all instrumental rock music from the early 60s stuff like the Ventures and the Shadows to more psychedelic jams to jazz and classical influenced prog rock to heavier instrumental rock of the 80s. It’s all amazing and I love to see musicians from my generation keep the genre alive. Side note: if you want me to write a blog post about my all time favourite rock instrumentals, leave a comment. I want to write things that my readers will enjoy reading.
Alive is Igor’s latest album, released on 21 October 2022. It’s a short album at just six songs long with all being around 3 minutes, but it’s a great album that showcases his talents as a guitarist. The instrumentals are something that speak to the soul and conjure feelings of nostalgia for a time you may not have been alive in, if you’re a millennial or zoomer. The title track is reminiscent of the 80s and I visualise neon lights and retro-futuristic aesthetics when I hear it. “Strong Spirits – Guitarra Virtuossa” is a bit heavier. “Running Free” has a free-spirited feel. “In Your Arms” is more of a slower instrumental. I also love the closer “Amazing Journey” and it’s a perfect bookend for the album, with its sound reminding me of the opening track/title track. It’s an album you can easily fall in love with if you’re a fan of instrumental hard rock with prog characteristics. It makes great music for studying or relaxing. I find I can relax easier when I listen to instrumental music.
It’s not his only release this year. The hardworking musician released Magical Dreams just months earlier in August. He’s been releasing music since 2020 and he composes all the music himself. That’s incredible! He also does a lot of the work on the albums himself and I always have so much respect for creators who do everything themselves – DIY is something I love seeing a lot in music."
- Angie Moon, www.crazyonclassicrock.com -
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"Igor Lisul is far from your average guitar player. Not content to rehash six-string clichés, he endeavors to push the boundaries of his instrument. His latest EP, Alive, is a collection of six instrumental tracks that feature guitar as the melodic centerpiece. The 38-year-old Serbian produced the EP himself and performs all the accompanying instruments as well.
First up we hear the title track, Alive, an upbeat rocker with a joyous melody that is characterized by a heavy use of slides. Underlying synth textures give the song a dreamy quality and Lisul kicks into another gear during the bridge section; unleashing a barrage of technical virtuosity. Despite the speed of his playing, however, there is no compromise on musicality.
He shows a softer side on track four, In Your Arms. It’s a slow, romantic groove, but is again, big on melody. Sweet, expressive bends whisk the listener away and provide a nice contrast to the fast pace that dominates the rest of the EP.
Igor Lisul approaches his songwriting the same way a classical pianist would. There’s no mindless, pentatonic noodling here; Alive features playing that is nuanced, thoughtful, and awe-inspiring. Guitarists need to hear this man play!"
- The Ark of Music, www.tharkofmusic.com -
"Absolutely blowing us away with his compositions and guitar stylings, Igor Lisul has reached euphoric heights with his new EP, Alive. Keep reading as we give our thoughts on the record, as well as a background on this immensely talented artist.
Kicking off his journey in learning guitar at the young age of 10 years old, Igor Lisul has been perfecting his craft for nearly 30 years at this point. On his 4th full length album of 2022, which is an insane feat, all of that work and sheer passion has come through on Alive. Riveting from the opening notes and taking the listener on a melodic journey through style and sound, it’s a masterclass in instrumental music. Of course, we are urging everyone to crank this up and get listening as soon as you can.
Through six songs that span right around 20 minutes in length, Igor goes in immediately, barely even giving the listener a chance to chill over the course of the runtime. For a fully instrumental record, in our personal experience it usually takes so much to hold our attention. With that being said, he had our interest piqued from start to finish as he directly infused a great deal of passion, soul, and his unique guitar-based delivery. So he has said, he puts an accent on the melody of his music, which comes through beautifully as you can continue to listen. Even though there’s no lyrics, he claims that his guitar “sings about love, soul, childhood, nature and other beautiful things”. We fully back up that claim as you’re continuously experiencing pure musicianship and artistry consistently.
Serving as his fourth record of the year as mentioned, it’s outrageous to think that one person has that much creativity bursting inside of them. In fact, this is just an EP compared to the other full lengths, but this is 100% a great jumping off point to explore the other records. Alive gives you such a nice taste of what to expect, but in a tasteful way that doesn’t feel overbearing. It’s been so long since a guitar led piece like this has made us feel drama and suspense, which is why again we’re recommending everyone click the play button!"
- We Write About Music, https://www.wewriteaboutmusic.com/​ -
"Serbian solo artist Igor Lisul’s latest release is the rock album ‘Alive’. Igor began playing guitar at a young age of 10, and it’s the back bone of the music he creates. He’s one of those unique guitarists, like Hendrix, that plays with the left hand and the reversed string order, a unique technique that creates a spectacular sound. He’s also mastered other instruments such as the piano and even accordion, but his true love is the electric guitar. He’s trained on the guitar extensively over the years, truly mastering the craft while also developing a sound all his own. He’s already released over 20 albums over just a little over 10 years, since 2011.
​The new album ‘Alive’ features 6 original tracks by Igor Lisul. The guitar virtuoso shines in this instrumental album. The beautiful melodies he makes on the guitar express more than lyrics could. As the name would suggest, the album is uplifting and vibrant. You can feel the love and emotion Igor puts into every soaring note he plays on the guitar. Listen to it below and enjoy the ride!"
- MuzicNotez.com , https://muzicnotez.com -
"A Dawn to Remember" song review
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"A Dawn To Remember" is the latest single from Serbian composer/electric guitarist Igor Lisul. A very prolific recording artist, Igor calls his music "art rock," which seems very appropriate. As many of his recordings do, "A Dawn To Remember" includes drums and percussion as well as ambient keyboard background instrumentation. The piece has the feeling of a romantic slow dance - perhaps at daybreak on the beach - or the hypnotic experience of watching the sun come up from a beautiful spot in nature. It's music that is sure to bring a smile!
"A Dawn To Remember" is available from Amazon, Apple Music/iTunes, Bandcamp and streaming sites such as Spotify. Check it out!"
- Kathy Parsons, www.MainlyPiano.com -
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