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Phil Keaggy is predominantly known for his work on the acoustic guitar.

Perhaps, it is for this reason that his latest work, 220, is aptly titled. From the opening bars of "Animal," the first track, you know that this album is ELECTRIC!

While the legendary Nashville six-string slinger is no stranger to the amplified brethren in his 25 plus-year career, you get the impression from the 10 tracks that this is the work of an artist with a new toy -- several new toys, actually. Liner notes list eight different electrics and acoustics, including a Gibson Les Paul and a vintage Gibson G-3 bass. In other words, Keaggy approaches the sustain, harmonics, feedback and general noise-making capabilities of the electric guitar with curiosity and reckless abandon. While he doesn't go overboard with effects, Keaggy creates thick sonic atmospheres with his instrument of choice.

Perhaps even more impressive about Keaggy is his ability to truly express a theme or emotion without the use of lyrics. "Montana" conjures up images of war paint and peace pipes. "Highland" leaves you hearing in plaid, while the ever-so-slightly-country-tinged "Tennessee Morning" sits you right on the banks of the Cumberland River. Mastering an instrument is one thing. Mastering the nuances of a wide range of musical styles (and incorporating them into one's own) is another. Keaggy has certainly achieved "master" status.

Keaggy has chops too, and lots of them. He teases you with brief snippets of finger gymnastics, but puts way more emphasis on bending, twisting, pummeling, squashing, cracking, stretching and breaking the tone from his arsenal of guitars (at the top of the heap, his trusty Les Paul). The result is a collection of sounds that range from a bluesy, organic cry to industrial hums and squeals. He has a lot of tricks up his sleeve.

In a nutshell, Keaggy takes the tired concept of an instrumental rock album and adds a few fresh twists to it. He certainly takes on a more musical approach, and limits his displays of technical prowess to a tasteful minimum. This is pretty good car music, too.

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