3 Epic Guitar Solos You Might Have Missed

Lately, there’s been loose talk of rock and roll’s death. But if you’re paying attention, the guitar appears to be alive and well.

Videos by American Songwriter

Rock music has modern guitar heroes like St. Vincent and Radiohead’s Jonny Greenwood, who have created their own approach by avoiding traditional playing. Meanwhile, John Frusciante, Gary Clark Jr., Jack White, and others pull vintage sounds into the future and connect new generations with the past.

Though many retrospectives of this kind focus on the classic solos of “Comfortably Numb,” “Sweet Child O’ Mine,” or anything by Jimi Hendrix, the purpose of this list is to spotlight three gems you might have missed.

Viva, viva rock & roll.

“Living Proof” by The War on Drugs from I Don’t Live Here Anymore (2021)

If you are the kind of person who kills hours watching “Rig Rundown” videos, you’ve probably glimpsed the sprawling pedalboard of Adam Granduciel. His rig is indeed epic. Granduciel and his band have merged heartland rock with psychedelia to become one of America’s finest groups. This track opens The War on Drugs’ fifth studio album. The words are profoundly heartbreaking. Though the narrator is damaged, he’s rising. The guitar solo sounds like survival. It’s pushing through the thickening malaise. It’s Granduciel working past the nihilism Bob Dylan nearly succumbed to on Time Out of Mind. Some guitarists play a bunch of notes, desperate to find the right ones. “Living Proof” is proof you only need a few to say a lot.

“Overseas” by Jason Isbell and the 400 Unit from Reunions (2020)

Jason Isbell’s songs often detail struggle. While some battles are personal, others are universal. However, where struggle doesn’t seem to exist in Isbell’s music is with the guitar. Since his time in Drive-By Truckers, he’s been like the Steph Curry of Americana. On “Overseas,” Isbell and his Fender Stratocaster echo David Gilmour. The tune describes disconnection. It’s an ocean between two lives on separate paths. If a guitar could gently weep, this is what it might sound like. You could spin the wheel of Isbell’s vast catalog and land on equally inspiring playing.

“Impossible Germany” by Wilco from Sky Blue Sky (2007)

When Jeff Tweedy followed Yankee Hotel Foxtrot with A Ghost Is Born, he became Wilco’s lead guitarist. Jay Bennett left big shoes to fill, but Tweedy moved in a different direction. Instead of employing the standard twang of alt-country, Tweedy looked to Tom Verlaine from Television for inspiration. It also foreshadowed where this new approach could go. Fast-forward to Sky Blue Sky and the entrance of experimental jazz virtuoso Nels Cline. “Impossible Germany” remains one of the greatest lead guitar moments ever captured on tape. It’s become a feature of Wilco’s live sets. One that reliably puts a smile on Tweedy’s face.

Photo by Jason Merritt/FilmMagic for Superfly Presents