Moods & Modes

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Traveling from vintage guitar shops in Brooklyn to iconic recording studios and legendary music venues around the world, guitar legend Alex Skolnick explores the work of renowned musicians through commentary, conversation, and live performance. Follow @moodsandmodes on Instagram for updates.

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Recent Reviews
  • Regular user 10
    Interrupts too often
    Great content, but doesn’t let the person he’s interviewing speak without cutting in. Have confidence in the subject, let it flow.
  • gbetromd
    Genuine and Down to Earth Conversation
    I’ve listened to many episodes of the podcast, but I am compelled to leave a review after hearing the Mohini Dey episode. I had no idea who she is before this but the interview with Alex was so genuine, comprehensive and compelling, that I immediately wanted to get to know her music. And I feel like I was starting the journey of discovery from a great place of familiarity because of the interview. Bravo Alex, and please more of these episodes!
  • NSRider
    Only one complaint…
    I’m a big Alex Skolnick fan and have been for years, so I was excited to hear that he was producing a podcast. I think it is really well done and his subject matter is always entertaining. The only complaint I have is that he kills the flow of each episode by breaking into what he calls “housekeeping”, where he changes the subject completely to mention tour dates or current events, etc., before picking up where he left off with the subject. I just wish he would do all of this at the beginning like most other people do.
  • Bizthin
    Pat Metheny 1 & 2
    Alex, At one point I considered leaving a 2-3 star rating for the interruptive format… However, I warmed up with the help of your addressing the subject in P2. Overall, the content is rich, and the contexts & samples really help once one gets used to the pausing. I’m sure future shows will only flow better as you evolve & streamline for continuity. You mention Tim Ferris’s podcast, a favorite of mine and a high standard format. We need more like his in the music zone! So keep at it and bring Pat back in the future! 👍joe h
  • That1guy(yeauknow)
    C/o Pat Metheny-Too many interruptions for my taste.
    This style of editing in commentary to the original interview is just not for me. I understand the effort is to provide depth and context to the talk, but this episode is a great example of how that simply awkwardly interrupts the flow of genuine conversation. Pat holds a conversation just like he improvises so it makes sense at an intuitive level to just let him do his thing. This podcast sounds like listening to pat improvise and every 8 or 12 bars or so, someone butts in and explains everything that is happening. Unnecessary and totally takes you out of the moment. I couldn’t make it through the whole episode.
  • deepfake75
    He is better than you, just ask him
    I can’t get past his demeanor. He looks down upon any player that he doesn’t think is as cultural as he thinks he is. I just can’t get past his “do you know who I am” attitude. Thanks for recognizing me Alex!!
  • NostradamRUSS
    Never not worth listening to
    Alex is so in depth and provides so much context to every conversation. Every episode is a master class in whatever the subject is. 🤘🔥
  • Luiz Reyes
    Very entertaining
    I love Alex’s voice it’s soothing and he tells some great stories.
  • joenatoli
    A true music fan’s DREAM.
    Moods and Modes is everything I’d hoped for. Alex digs deep into the core and character of what makes the music these artists make so resonant and emotionally visceral, powerful. He covers a wide range of artists and styles and genres, all equally fascinating. When he talks about the details of playing, it never goes above your head, always relatable and understandable. And his natural, relaxed delivery clearly shows his affinity for these musicians and their art — he makes you feel like you’re talking to a friend. A friend who is every bit the music geek you are, who is as deeply INTO music as you are ;-)
  • NJ Giantfan
    Unbelievable
    Such a inspiring podcast for guitar players
  • Brian Burdette
    Thank You, Alex Skolnick !!
    Great delivery of all things that guitarists want from a podcast!!! Best Guitar Podcast Ever!!!
  • merxg
    So entertaining I snarfed my coffee
    This guy is consistently good at so many things - metal, jazz, fusion, world music, teaching, writing and...now you can add podcasts! Highly intelligent insights, really cool subject matter and clever and funny delivery. Awesome work, Alex!
  • Hochi666
    Alex Skolnick is the Howard Cosell of Internet guitar enthusiasts.
    That’s the review.
  • Nick-N-Angel
    Very fun & informative
    I love the conversational tone of this podcast and the NPR-style storytelling. I’m not a musician but I love hearing the history behind the instruments and the music. It’s really fun to listen and learn.
  • StagDrag
    GREAT SHOW!
    Stories from great musicians and folks in the biz are always a good listen and this podcast has many entertaining stories. As a guitar player I’m always curious to hear from others about their craft. And again, this podcast doesn’t disappoint. Fantastic, well-rounded show. Love the fact that Alex produces it all himself as well!
  • Ryan "guitar geek" Nelson
    Moods & Modes is a fantastic podcast!
    Alex Skolnick isn't just a spectacular guitarist, he's also a really smart, articulate, informed and enthusiastic podcast host. Who saw THAT coming? This is really a great show. At the time of this review, there are only 3 episodes. But they are all fantastic. I really like his approach, which is more documentary style, rather than a traditional interview situation. Looking forward to many more of this show!
  • Raintree419
    One of the greats!
    Alex is in my top 5 favorite lead guitarists of all time! I love listening to his insight into guitar, hearing his random jazz improv in between, and his guests! This is an awesome podcast for guitarists and lovers of guitar.
  • angelguitar
    The podcast I’ve been waiting for!!
    Wow, this podcast is amazing!! I’m so happy to hear Alex doing this - as a huge fan of his guitar work this is such a bonus to have this podcast available now. Bravo !!
  • LpCustom1
    Awesome Podcast!
    Such a cool podcast and great to hear one of true Guitar Masters in a different format. The podcast is very laid back, it’s almost if he’s sitting in the living room with you having a conversation. Love the content and thanks so much! Keep up the great work Alex!
  • KokoKevi
    Love this so much!!
    Wow! I'm already a huge Alex Skolnick fan, and this podcast just enphasises how amazing, special and creative he is, and now I'm an even bigger fan! The improvised jam he and Prasanna did in the 'Carnatic Crash Course' episode was everything I could every aspire to be as a guitar player and more. The level of that improvision is just so special , it's so inspiring and to hear the Skol-wrecker and Prasanna share their hearts and minds and skills. It's's a human touch so sorely needed and you all know why... (most people are getting a lot of computer assistanc...,backing tracks, editing, ect), But Alex is the real deal, a talent always expanding, and he speaks a language as a human and with music that everyone would benefit from hearing, something you'll grow from when being exposed to. Thanks Alex for doing this podcast and for being awesome!, I appreciate you so much!
  • Stevako
    I was waiting for this for a long time
    Alex is not only a great musician but a well versed individual. I’m so glad that be decided to go through and start making this podcast. Looking forward to every upcoming episode. As Dean Delray would say “Don’t sleep on this”
  • Akashas6
    Breath of fresh air in our current world
    Great storytelling and easy to follow along, even for just a music fan like myself and not a musician. And please more Gizmo in the new episodes. 😃
  • Norum2
    If NPR made a show about guitars.
    I love the way that Alex frames his narrative through his podcast. Rather than a straight interview he mixes in a bit of narrative throughout the show and gives me big “This American Life” vibes. Amazing show and I can’t wait to hear more
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