PAUL GILBERT
‘I Can Destroy’ is Paul Gilbert's eighteenth solo album on which he is more than ably supported by Freddie Nelson, who starred on 2010's ‘United States’ full-length with Gilbert, and Tony Spinner who both provide vocals and guitar work, bassist Kevin Chown and Thomas Lang on drums. This release has been produced by the esteemed Kevin Shirley, who has previously handled production duties for stellar artists such as Rush, Led Zep and Iron Maiden.
The album begins with 'Everybody Use Your Goddamn Turn Signal', the first of thirteen tracks, and which epitomises the generally light hearted approach to much of this album. The title track follows and, as perhaps indicated by the name of the song, is probably the heaviest cut on offer, featuring a stunning solo towards the end.
Of the remaining tracks, there is a significant amount of blues style compositions such as 'I Am Not The One', 'Blues Just Saving My Life', 'I Will Be Remembered' and the excellent 'Adventure and Trouble' which, at nearly 7 minutes, is the longest track on offer, with its second half comprising a superb bluesy jam session, complete with honky tonk piano. This cut showcases the excellent vocals of Spinner, whose voice bears more than a passing resemblance to Gary Moore, which is no bad thing!
Elsewhere, the commerciality that was evident during Gilbert's tenure with Mr Big is apparent in 'Make It (If We Try)' and 'Love We Had', which is a nice acoustic number. In my opinion, though, the best is saved for last with the driving 'Great White Buffalo' which, as the title hints, is based around the subject matter of the decimation of the buffalo by white settlers in North America.
All in all, this is a very entertaining release that doesn't take itself too seriously and is a vehicle for the incredibly impressive playing of Gilbert. He doesn't hog the limelight, however, and the other participants in the making of this album are given room to display their own ample talents. If you're a fan of blues-edged, hard rock, this should definitely appeal to you.
The album begins with 'Everybody Use Your Goddamn Turn Signal', the first of thirteen tracks, and which epitomises the generally light hearted approach to much of this album. The title track follows and, as perhaps indicated by the name of the song, is probably the heaviest cut on offer, featuring a stunning solo towards the end.
Of the remaining tracks, there is a significant amount of blues style compositions such as 'I Am Not The One', 'Blues Just Saving My Life', 'I Will Be Remembered' and the excellent 'Adventure and Trouble' which, at nearly 7 minutes, is the longest track on offer, with its second half comprising a superb bluesy jam session, complete with honky tonk piano. This cut showcases the excellent vocals of Spinner, whose voice bears more than a passing resemblance to Gary Moore, which is no bad thing!
Elsewhere, the commerciality that was evident during Gilbert's tenure with Mr Big is apparent in 'Make It (If We Try)' and 'Love We Had', which is a nice acoustic number. In my opinion, though, the best is saved for last with the driving 'Great White Buffalo' which, as the title hints, is based around the subject matter of the decimation of the buffalo by white settlers in North America.
All in all, this is a very entertaining release that doesn't take itself too seriously and is a vehicle for the incredibly impressive playing of Gilbert. He doesn't hog the limelight, however, and the other participants in the making of this album are given room to display their own ample talents. If you're a fan of blues-edged, hard rock, this should definitely appeal to you.
LABEL:
FORMAT:
earMUSIC
Album
I CAN DESTROY
Review by Dave Uphill
RUNNING TIME:
59:50
RELEASE DATE:
27th May 2016
TRACK LISTING
1) Everybody Use Your Goddam Turn Signal
2) I Can Destroy
3) Knockinh on a Locked Door
4) One Woman Too Many
5) Woman Stop; 6) Gonna Make You Love Me
7) I Am Not the One...
8) Blues Just Saving My Life
9) Make It (If We Try); 10) Love We Had
11) I Will Be Remembered
12) Adventure and Trouble
13) Great White Buffalo (Bonus Track)
2) I Can Destroy
3) Knockinh on a Locked Door
4) One Woman Too Many
5) Woman Stop; 6) Gonna Make You Love Me
7) I Am Not the One...
8) Blues Just Saving My Life
9) Make It (If We Try); 10) Love We Had
11) I Will Be Remembered
12) Adventure and Trouble
13) Great White Buffalo (Bonus Track)
COUNTRY OF ORIGIN:
USA
"...a very entertaining release that doesn't take itself too seriously and is a vehicle for the incredibly impressive playing of Gilbert."
