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PAUL GILBERT
www.paulgilbert.com
Here we have ex-Racer X/Mr. Big axeman Paul Gilbert returning with a new full length release, and what is only his third instrumental guitar album to date, 'Fuzz Universe'. "Fuzz", according to CD inlay notes, alludes to his chosen slang for what others might label distortion, overdrive, gain etc as he states this was "the first word for this sound that I heard when I was a kid". He also writes - "If every note on this album were the size of a grain of sand, it would fill up 72 buckets", so that will go some way towards what you should expect from 'Fuzz Universe'. The Paul Gilbert name should also be indicative of this, of course, as we're talking shred all the way here. Well, his distinctive style of shredding mixed in with passages of fretboard restraint that allows his melodious style of playing to flourish and flow without descending into just flashy displays of speed. As such, in their instrumental form, each track actually feels like a 'song' rather than mere excuses for showing off his highly developed technique, combining big riffs with well placed leads throughout. It's a fine balance and one he achieves well within a 'band' context, joined as he is on these recordings by Jeff Bowders on drums, bassist Craig Martini and spouse Emi Gilbert on keyboards. For anyone familiar with Paul Gilbert's playing then you will be well aware of what to expect here and for those of you who aren't then where ya been all these years?! Still, this is well worth checking out for both parties so you can witness the man at his virtuosic best.
LABEL:
FORMAT:
Mascot Records
Album
FUZZ UNIVERSE
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Review by Mark Holmes
RUNNING TIME:
57:23
RELEASE DATE:
9th August 2010
TRACK LISTING
1) Fuzz Universe
2) Olympic
3) The Count Juan Chutrifo
4) Bach Partia in Dm
5) Blue Orpheus
6) Will My Screen Door Stop Neptune
7) Propeller
8) Don't Rain on My Firewood
9) Plastic Dracula
10) Blowtorch
11) Mantra the Lawn
12) Batter Up
COUNTRY OF ORIGIN:
USA
"...in their instrumental form, each track actually feels like a 'song' rather than mere excuses for showing off his highly developed technique..."
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