It's amazing to note that Get Out of My Yard is guitarist Paul Gilbert's first ever-instrumental solo album. In a career that has spanned two decades, this former shredder with Racer X and Mr. Big has always wowed with his superior guitar talents, but never in an all-instrumental format. Well ladies and gentleman, the wait is over. Get Out of My Yard is a triumph, plain and simple, a guitar lovers wet dream that allows Gilbert to strut his stuff yet is much more than a chops fest, as the guitarist shows his penchant for writing catchy melodies and memorable rock arrangements.
After the opening display of guitar fireworks that is the title track, Gilbert then lays into one catchy rocker after another, like the Steve Morse inspired "Hurry Up" to the Satriani-ish boogie of 'The Curse of Castle Dragon". While he allows for plenty of fiery fretwork throughout each song, the way each piece is put together, most of the complex and insane guitar workouts are written with the express intent of being memorable and melodic. Check out his homage to Robin Trower on the soaring "Radiator", a song with smoldering blues emotion laced with effects laden tone and impeccable chops. If you want intense funky grooves, look no further than 'Straight Through the Telephone Pole", a song that seems to pay tribute to bands like Grand Funk, The James Gang, as well as Lynyrd Skynyrd. Fans of Niacin will love the soulful jazz and blues vibe on "Rusty Old Boat", with Paul doing battle with tasty organ lines from Emil Gilbert, and some powerful bass and drums provided by Mike Szuter and Jef Bowders. To hear what the sonic capabilities of an effects box can do for a guitar player, check out the bouncy little ditty "The Echo Song", and if your thing is 70's inspired heavy blues rock, dig into the crunchy sounds of "Full Tank".
Gilbert's neo-classical talents shine through on the Zappa-meets-Malmsteen zaniness of "Haydn Symphony No. 88 Finale", and "Three E's for Edward" is of course a little homage to his hero Eddie Van Halen, and a dazzling little piece of acoustic mastery. What the legendary EVH has yet to do to this day, and Gilbert as well until now, is put together a long requested instrumental album. In many ways the two guitarist's careers have always taken a similar path, as both have long been revered as virtuosos in their crafy, but have always stayed away from the guitar hero solo album. Perhaps Eddie can learn from Mr. Gilbert here, that is doesn't have to be all about chops and flash, but these elements can be weaved within solid instrumental rock songs that contain plenty of melody and emotion. In that aspect, Paul Gilbert has come up with a real winner here. Get Out of My Yard has chops to spare, but overall this is just a damn good collection of songs that will easily strike a chord with the hard rock, metal, and fusion crowd.
We knew you had it in ya Paul!
1) Get Out of My Yard
2) Hurry Up
3) The Curse of Castle Dragon
4) Radiator
5) Straight Through the Telephone Pole
6) Marine Layer
7) Twelve Twelve
8) Rusty Old Boat
9) The Echo Song
10) Full Tank
11) My Teeth are a Drumset
12) Haydn Symphony No. 88 Finale
13) Three E's For Edward
14) You Kids
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