WHEN Jimi Hendrix was asked what it felt like to be the best guitarist in the world, he said, "you better ask Rory Gallagher". Go even further back and you will find a band that, almost unbelievably, boasted the top three. At various times Jimmy Page and Eric Clapton fronted the Yardbirds. So did Jeff Beck.

He's always been in Page and Clapton's shadow because they were in the first supergroups; Led Zeppelin and Cream. Beck's sole claim to fame being floor filler Hi Ho Silver Lining; not his finest moment.

Nor is the too worthy sentiment pervading Loud Hailer. While there is a lot to bemoan in the world today, rock stars generally make a ham-fisted job of it and Beck is no exception.

Where he is an exception is his ability to make the fantastically difficult sound supremely effortless. Singer Rosie Bones helped on songsmith duties so must share the lyrical blame but although Beck's jaw-dropping virtuosity shines throughout to save the album, you just wish the words weren't so sixth form.

Would have been five stars otherwise.