By: Jenn, Random Chatter Music
Click to Download Fuzz Universe from Amazon.com
Guitar maestro Paul Gilbert has returned! On April 30, I was so surprised, that I thought the product announcement on HMV Online was a prank or a typo. It was soon realized that this was genuine, and Gilbert’s latest opus, Fuzz Universe was about to be unleashed upon an eagerly waiting public. I got right in line, and a few months later, I’m happy to report that I am not disappointed! Gilbert has maintained his reputation for exceptionally high quality output with this platter, his third instrumental offering.
I listened to this, first of all, to hear if this album was “B Sides” from the latest Mr. Big record. I am immensely pleased to hear that this is completely different then what I expected. I thought it was going to be all of the riffs he couldn’t use with Mr. Big… this is far more intense, complex, and engaging to me then that. It’s genuinely a “Paul solo disc”, which, of course, is exactly what I wanted…
Gilbert expertly blends his influences on many of the tracks to create unique, driving rock songs with memorable (and hummable) lead lines. He allows his guitar to again perform the leads where a vocalist normally would. Listen for the “breathing” at the beginning of “Will My Screen Door Stop Neptune,” or the various “comments” and “screams” in “Plastic Dracula.” We are given the sense that the guitar has become an animate being here. Without having videos to watch while we listen, we get a sense that it performs alongside him.
This record has a variety of songs to please your ears depending on your mood. If you’re more in the mood to rock out, you’ll definitely want to listen to “Olympic,” “Fuzz Universe,” and “Plastic Dracula.” If you want to relax, songs like “Don’t Rain on My Firewood” and “Will My Screen Door Stop Neptune” are good choices. If you want to hear some funk, “The Count Juan Chutrifo” or “Mantra The Lawn” are perfect, especially if you listen to those 2 alongside “Bronx 1971” and “Bultaco Saturno” from Gilbert’s 2008 offering, Silence Followed By A Deafening Roar.
Check Out GI’s “Paul Gilbert: The Fuzz Universe Interview”
Like most rock music, this album sounds better if you turn it up a bit louder. The rich, thick guitar tone that he’s achieved will be much easier to appreciate. The bass lines in the title track will outright kick you in the chest. When listening, I was aware of the upcoming 2010 European tour (recalling how intense the 2008 tour was), so I made a point to listen for parts which should strike jaw-dropping awe into the front rows of fans, or sound thicker and “more crunchy” in the concert setting. The album is filled with these gems, and it’s up to you to discover them!
There is a real fire here, a real passion. Some of the outstanding tracks do not leap right out at the listener. Because I got this as a highly-appreciated CD gift, I’m free to play the songs as many times as I wish to gather my opinions of them, so, it isn’t really as necessary to have tracks be so blatant. Fuzz Universe screams “proper use of power” throughout. Gilbert knows his strengths and exactly when to use them. There is a lot of compositional maturity, restraint, and tasteful note choice here. The album isn’t all about speed or all about disco beats. Thank the Muses for that!
Paul Gilbert Photo Credit: James Chiang
Paul mentioned “tinkering with his tone” in an interview, and this album showcases his clever and extensive use of tone-coloring pedals and effects. This is not a single-sound album. A large variety of moods and aural textures are set and offered up. You will hear hints of rock, fusion, blues, classic heavy metal, dark country, surf, disco, and even classical music within.
Another cool note about this (as if he needed more notes!) – the bass guitar is not simply “an octave pedal for the guitar”. Craig Martini’s bass lines are intelligent, punchy, original, and accent the guitar lines perfectly. From the immense strength in ‘Olympic’ and the crushing power in “Fuzz Universe” to the subtlety in “Propeller,” the bass adds highlights to the material. Emi Gilbert’s keyboard portions are added like spices to a fine dish: they create perfect accents at just the right moments. The percussive pyrotechnics by Jeff Bowders throughout the album, but especially on “Blowtorch” and “Plastic
Dracula,” embellish and drive home each song. The sum output of the entire band is superior to the sum of its parts.
Don’t forget to appreciate the song titles, keeping in mind Gilbert’s ongoing love of wit and wordplay.
This is not Get Out Of My Front Yard Too or Silence Followed By More Deafening Roars. It offers some highlights and nods to both previous instrumental works without being derivative of either. Since it’s by the same artist who brought us those prior records, there is some similarity in sequencing or ‘mood shift’. The first track is a heavy face-melting killer, there’s a mellow tune about halfway through, there’s a classical music adaptation for guitar, the last song is energetic… this consistency is good. This is part of why Gilbert is known to produce high quality offerings.
A criticism I have seen of a lot of Gilbert’s instrumental material is that it is “written for musicians” or “guitar for guitarists”. That does him a disservice, by possibly scaring off regular listeners, except in Japan… in my opinion. I am not a guitarist. I enjoy music. I’m a regular listener. I can’t find the 7sus4 chords without cheating (reading interviews). I’m not a “muzoid”. Maybe that fresh ear is what allows this material to be so purely enjoyable to me. Forget about that “guitar for guitarists” schtick and simply let this album carry you on a bit of a rock and roll journey.
Take home message: This is an excellent album. It is very versatile and flexible, taking the listener through various genres and moods throughout its 59 minute passage. It’s not a shred album – sure, he blazes at times, but the speed is used tastefully throughout. It’s not
full of heady muzoid material – while technically superior it does not browbeat you with theory. It’s just a good record and it’s one that you should definitely purchase and allow yourself the pleasure of listening to, if you are a fan of any of Paul Gilbert’s varied musical incarnations. If you liked his last 2 instrumental albums, you will love this one.
******
‘Footnote from Jenn: Just in case you are a guitarist or a ‘muzoid’ and you are reading this, there IS a Fuzz Universe edition made just
for you! It will be available Oct. 20, 2010 in Japan (+ available for worldwide shipping) through HMV Online. It is a deluxe, 2CD set where one of the CD’s has the lead guitar track removed so that you can play along. What better way to train your ears to Paul’s newest chord voicings and music then to work with this material!’
+ Product link in English: http://www.hmv.co.jp/en/product/detail/3895074
Vince (14 years ago)
Great review. Pretty much explains how good the record is. The variety within, the tone, the blending of band in all it’s parts and the passion put into it is so evident throughout and it’s a stunning record. A definitely buy for anybody who appreciates great music.