Get Out of My Yard

Album Review

Although he's been considered one of the top hard rock/heavy metal guitar shredders since the late '80s, interestingly enough, Paul Gilbert has never issued a completely all-instrumental solo album. And with Gilbert seemingly going in a more songwriting-based direction (as evidenced by his 2005 solo set, Spaceship One), the chances of an all-instrumental release seemed increasingly slim. But as longtime admirers of Gilbert know, it's impossible to predict the next move of this former Racer X and Mr. Big guitarist, and on 2006's Get Out of My Yard, you're treated to — Gilbert's first-ever instrumental solo set. But the tracks are not merely shredding solos strung together — Gilbert is still all about penning memorable tunes, such as the Rush-like "Hurry Up," the blues-metal of "The Curse of Castle Dragon," the Van Halen-esque rocker, "My Teeth Are a Drumset," and the speedy acoustic picking of "Three E's for Edward." There's a reason why Gilbert is a monthly attraction in all of those European and Japanese guitar publications — Get Out of My Yard will offer all the evidence you'll need.