Customer Reviews

Burning Organ

5 star:		(18)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

Not to over state things, or in any way be overly dramatic, but Paul Gilbert could very well be the Messiah. You see, musicians of this caliber have never displayed the humility, frivolity and utter ease that characterizes this work. Too often, ego gets in the way. This guy's clearly not trying to prove anything. He's just slamming out some SICK rock and roll, and sounding like he's having a blast doing it. His music sounds so stunningly effortless, yet scarily complicated to us mere mortals. My brain hurts so good when I listen to this record. This is extra special stuff. I will not try to add anything more specific about the record beyond what the other reviewers have so effectively put forth. I will just say that, if you do not wish to have a deficiency in the soundtrack to your life, buy this record. Then buy everything else he's done. This is one of those extraordinary musicians whose work belongs in every music fan's collection, regardless of idiomatic preference. Don't miss out.

This is my first written review. The only reason I am taking the time to write it is because this album has blown me away. This is Paul Gilbert's best work to date. I have been a fan of Paul's work since Second Heat. In Racer X he established himself as a guitar phenom. I have all of the Mr. Big albums. With Mr. Big he exhibited his ability to write and play commercial hits.

This album shows the best of Paul's guitar playing, singing & song writing. I would not classify this as heavy metal at all. Nor would I exclusively call it a guitar rock album. It is eclectic, fun and tasteful. This album has many faces and although the lyrics are a little sophomoric at times, it's all with a purpose. The lyrics on this album are intentionally humorous and sometimes downright hilarious. Every song is fun, well written and, of course, well performed. Most people may not think of Paul as a singer but he does an exceptional job, showing everything from a powerful scream to a gentle "ooh" and always in key. I was also heavily impressed with the production quality since this a wildly diverse album.

1. I Like Rock - Opens with a cheesy organ riff. A simple rock song in which Paul declares his "like" for rock.
2. My Religion - Starts with Paul shredding over a pipe organ. A Foo Fighters style, radio friendly song with lush back ground vocals. Great song.
3. Bliss - Begins with an organ arpeggio (See the theme?). This song nearly took my face off the first time I heard it. A blues-on-steroids groove rock tune. Wicked song.
4. Suicide Lover - Quick tempo, punk style pop song about a terrorist girlfriend. "You could say her love is the bomb." Where does he come up with this stuff? Another fun tune.
5. Friday Night (Say Yea) - 50's style 6/8 rock n' rock song complete with oohs. Reminiscent of Enuff Znuff. Brilliant song.
6. I am Satan - An open letter from Prince of Darkness disclosing his true identity to his new girlfriend. A melodic pop gem similar to Todd Rungren or XTC. More great background vocals. Turns a little dark at the end. Nice touch. Another brilliant song.
7. G.V.R.O. - A classical guitar duet that Paul does with himself. Flawless, as usual.
8. My Drum - A remake of the Osmond's song. As expected there is a killer drum solo.
9. Amy Is Amazing - Another pop winner. Sounds like something Jim Peterik could have written.
10. Muscle Car - A bluesy groove that could have easily appeared on a Mr. Big album.
11. I Feel Love - A cover of Donna Summer's hit...done Racer X style. Great vocals!
12. Burning Organ - A jazzy instrumental with some great solo spots and a great deal of organ. You can really feel it burning!
13. Keep On Keepin' On - Probably the most serious this album gets. Piano based Todd Rungren/Paul McCartney style pop song. Very uplifting.
14. Maseito(?) - A short, hidden tribute to a Japanese DJ.

If you are a fan of Paul Gilbert, guitar rock, power pop or humor you must buy this album.

Must admit i was a bit indifferent to this album for the first few listens. I liked Paul's three previous studio albums within one listen - and they're still three of my most played cd's.

But this one just sounded a little different on the first few listens - maybe just a little less 'poppy' and having a little more attitude. Its still pop rock though and the opener 'I Like Rock' could easily find its way onto Andrew WK's party album!! And the title instrumental 'Burning Organ' reminds me of Ron Thal! Those two people aside, the rest of the album is pure Gilbert brilliance - addictively catchy songs, fun and cheesy lyrics, great guitar playing, and some of the most intelligent vocals you'll ever hear. I just love the way that Paul uses his voice - seems to do so many subtle things to enhance the songs - rather than in his old days of purely relying on the guitar to enhance the song.

I guess the great thing about Paul's solo releases is that he's one of the finest rock guitarists ever, and yet people (myself included) listen just because the songs are so cool - any guitar noodles are welcome, but not essential to the enjoyment of the song.

Once again an essential purchase and can't wait for the next Racer X album as well.

Paul Gilbert is so awesome and cool! This album opens up with a catchy and fun, traditional, upbeat rock song. And it builds from there into faster and better songs. The solos are really fitting to the music and also absolutely incredible when he throws some of his shred work in there. My face melted a few times listening to his solos! It's really incredible how fast he is while doing almost no finger tapping or sweep picking.

This is a great album for shred guitar lovers to throw in the cd player on road trips and not have their girlfriend/wife tearing their hair out and screaming at you. It's just such a fun album that you can't help but be in a good mood!

Awesome CD. One of Paul's best. Every tune is a killer. Friday Night(Say Yeah) and My Religion are two of my favorites, along with My Drum and Amy is Amazing. Cool cover of I Feel Love, and Burning Organ is simply wild! A guitar players CD for sure, but also just damn good songs with Paul's metal edge, and I now use my pinky finger for fretting a lot more!

Just wanted to let you know that I think the hidden bonus track is also on the regular version of this CD. At least it was on mine. After "Keep on Keepin' On" there's another song which I deduct is a radio promo for a Japanese heavy metal disc jockey.

This album is a masterpiece. It is fun, inspiring and very very very impressive from the technical point of view.

Paul Gilbert makes fun out of simple rock songs with terrifying guitar solos. The beginning of track "My Religion" shows what he came for: a sequence of arpegios with tappings that is so clean and pretty that makes you hit the "<<" button of your CD player to hear it over and over. Really amazing.

Fun lyrics, cool guitar riffs and awesome guitar solos make this CD a favourite in my collection.

THIS PAUL GILBERT CHARACTER GOT IT ALL. SONGS / VOCALS / GUITARS,GUITARS AND MORE GUITARS. STARTED LISTENING TO THIS CD TWO WEEKS AGO AND HAVE NOT STOPPED. I HAVE NOT ENJOYED MUSIC LIKE THIS IN A LONG TIME.....FINALLY SOMEONE GETS IT RIGHT...

Others have done a great job going song-by-song through this CD so all I'll add is that it's fantastic. Paul Gilbert is the rare combination of great songwriting ability, and some of the most amazing playing you'll ever hear. I got this CD after I got Fuzz Universe, Silence Followed by and Get Of My Yard so I'm familiar with his more current work and this CD is up there with his best music. The bonus is that he clearly doesn't take himself too seriously so you'll find some funny stuff on here as well. Go Paul!!

I was a huge Satriani fan and still hold him in high regard, but Paul Gilbert has taken over the top spot in my personal guitar hero ratings. This album is so freaking good, the songs just rock and I too like that Paul. His sense of humor is right up my alley and the incredible blistering guitar runs are jaw-dropping. I am wearing this one out like I haven't done with a cd in years. If you don't like this release from THE Paul Gilbert don't bother buying any other one because you obviously aren't a fan of this genre of music. I felt compelled to write my first review because of how awesome this cd is, buy it, pop it in, and then lament the fact that this guitar wizard isn't on tour in the U.S. If you don't like it, I'll take it, it's so good I need another for my other cd player.