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Rock
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New Release
Paul Gilbert
WROC
Reviewed in issue:
114
Release Date:
27 Feb 2026
Reviewed by:
🟣 James Gaden
For Fans Of
Mr. Big
Richie Kotzen
Racer X
Top three tracks
• Go Not Thither
• If You Soak Bread In The Sauce
• Show Not Yourself Glad
Fireworks Verdict:
"it’s wildly original, it’s eccentric, it’s fun and it rocks"
THE REVIEW
Words Of Wisdom!
The more I think about it, the more I’m sure Paul Gilbert is a genius. A deranged genius, perhaps, but a genius, nonetheless. He is an elite level guitar player who has shredded with Racer X and was an integral part of the supergroup Mr. Big, penning some of their best songs. He has a sprawling solo career, covering both vocal and instrumental songs, often quirky and humorous, but always well crafted. This is a guy who can take a song called ‘I Am Satan’ and deliver it as pure Pop-Rock perfection, capture the frustration of drivers everywhere with ‘Everyone Use Your Goddamn Turn Signal’ or use a nightmare trip at an airport as fuel for a masterful Funk-Rock instrumental like ‘Sir You Need To Calm Down’.
His latest solo album seems wacky even by Gilbert’s wide parameters though – he has challenged himself to turn some of George Washington’s ‘Rules Of Civility’ into Rock songs. It sounds absurd but Gilbert has embraced it and quite frankly nailed the brief.
"His latest solo album seems wacky even by Gilbert’s wide parameters"
Opening a record with a song called ‘Keep Your Feet Firm And Even’ did not promise much, but as soon as the intro starts, it sounds like classic Gilbert. And while lines like “sit without putting one foot on the other or crossing them when you sit” may not suggest a great Rock song, Gilbert’s playing and his ability to write not only strong riffs, but also incredibly well constructed melodies and chouses, sold me immediately.
‘Show Not Yourself Glad (At the Misfortune of Another)’ is fantastic and will get heads banging, as will ‘Go Not Thither’, while ‘’Maintain A Sweet and Cheerful Countenance’ could easily have been residing on one of the guitarist’s earlier vocal Rock albums like ‘Burning Organ.’
‘Orderly And Distinctly’ is just a wonderful listen and ‘If You Soak Bread In The Sauce’ is an infectious earworm. Every track here is a winner and sublimely rounded out by the original ‘George Washington Rules’. Gilbert also recorded the bulk of the album live, so it has bundles of energy.
"‘Show Not Yourself Glad (At the Misfortune of Another)’ is fantastic"
This is one of my all-time favourite Gilbert solo records – it’s wildly original, it’s eccentric, it’s fun and it rocks – just like its creator. Brilliant.
Reviewer:
🟣 James Gaden
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