Paul Gilbert – Fuzz Universe

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Gilbert is probably right now the most consistent exponent of instrumental guitar records and his rich vein of form continues here with another interesting, entertaining album, his third in a five year spell that has also seen a reunion tour and live album/DVD with Mr. Big and two solo instructional DVDs and tours. Although not as impossible as some of the work on Get Out of My Yard, which could probably be credited as the album which got him back on the regular touring circuit in Europe, Gilbert’s ear for a guitar melody is extraordinary. The bass-lines underpinning most of the tracks are almost exclusively funk-based meaning all of the songs, whether they’re predominently shredding (Fuzz Universe) or melody (Don’t Rain On My Firewood, Blue Orpheus), follow distinct grooves, making the whole record that much more interesting than a standard shred album. Most of Gilbet’s album include at least one classical peace rearranged for solo guitar, and here a suitably acrobatic Bach Partita In Db takes that role amongst an otherwise rock-heavy album with no real ballads in sight. Some of Gilbert’s phrasing here is amongst his best, giving many songs real unique character, taking over the points of interest that would ordinarily be occupied by vocal lines in a regular song, and amongst it all he throws in plenty of out-and-out shredding for the guitar nuts, without ever over doing it or compromising the songs. Fuzz Universe completes an excellent trio of recent instrumental albums with Get Out of My Yar and Silence Followed By A Deafening Roar that really gives the other virtuoso players on the market something to aim for.

Written by Andy Lye
More: 2010, Albums, Instrumental, Quick.Play Reviews, Paul Gilbert