Customer Reviews

Flying Dog

5 star:		(8)
4 star:		(3)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

Paul steps out of the hole many have put him in for this album. Guitar geniuses are supposed to record albums with bizarre instrumentals, and screaming guitars. At least that is what many would expect. No insult to Steve Vai, or Joe Satriani, or any of the others. But for this album, Paul blends the styles of his Mr. Big days, and those of his other band Racer X.

This album uses less of the shred and more of the melodic. Paul even sings on all of the songs with the exception of the classical instrumental "Gilberto Concerto".

Without a doubt, this is a happy album. If Paul Gilbert was a more recognized name outside of the guitar world, there are even a few songs on here that would get radio play. This is the album you pop in at a party, or when friends are over, and by the second play they are singing along. And unlike most of his solo work, or his Racer X stuff, your girlfriend won't make you change the disc.

A fun record. Ideal for rainy days, depression phases or just bad days. But is equally good for sunny days or good moments!
I bought this record without hesitation, because I love Paul's playing and twisted sense of humor. If you like Paul in both senses, like me, this is definitely your record.
I also have "Beehive live", which is a terrific album to listen to (and I don't like live albums, for start!), and a good place to sink your teeth into. Precisely they were presenting the album I am writing about, "Flying dog"
The cover is hilarious, when I listen to this, I grab the cover and wonder where they could find that weird-looking dog.I laugh a lot at this photo while enjoying the album (by the way,NO LYRICS INCLUDED in a very poor libretto, at least the european version.The one and only weak point >:(
Cheap Trick fans will be so pleased with this stuff:bubble-gum type of rock with catchy melodies and a superb guitar work.Paul, unlike most of 6-string heroes, have some taste for experimenting and exploring new territories.This is not "a-bunch-of-solos-with-1000-notes-per-minute-on-them" CD.In terms of speed he would blow up every Malmsteen clone on Earth, but he'd rather use his guitar for helping the song.For building a good foundation in it.
Cheap Trick made it, they sounded definetely hard rock but they also have some pop appeal.Paul sounds, in a way, like them.
He can actually sing very well, using a bluesy tone sometimes.That gives a lot of colour to his music;the rest of the palette is completed with Paul's (ans some fine studio musicians) playing.
If you can listen to "Get it","Be my wife" or "Heavy disco trip" without moving your feet or singing along the chorus, you deserve to be a zombie Britney/Limp Bizkit/Eminem fan for the rest of your life. There is enough of them everywhere, give a chance to not-so-well-known artists like Paul,please!You will never regret it!
Well, so you want to listen to melodical/ballad-ish stuff...don't worry about it! LIsten carefully to "Kate is a star" or "Wrong man". The former is a fantastic ballad, played with feeling and punch.The backing vocals are so beautiful that you will be listening to this song again and again.For me, is a sort of new favorite. The latter is a bittersweet song about a woman who has choose badly his man; a dramatic change of mood after one "happy" song after another!
If you want to know what's my favorite song, it's "Girl crazy", with a chorus to kill for.It reminds me a bit of AOR bands like Journey or so.
Finally, if you are longing for guitar-solo stuff,don't worry either!The last track, with its tongue-in-cheek title says it all:you will find a really complex guitar work, in fact an "electrified" Bach composition.Are you all satisfied?Can you ask for more in one single CD?
In conclusion:Buy this and save it for rainy days.Sun will shine again on your room.Enjoy!

Before paul arrive in peking,I already know that he is a awesome guitarist and good guitar teacher.{ one of my friend is his student} ALL the time i believe his guitar solo never let his fans down. AS my expected, this album still is good.You must get this album.

There's no denying Paul Gilbert's incredible talent on the guitar, but kudos to his song writing abilities, too. Okay, so some of the songs aren't exactly about family values (Mr. Skin or Tell the Truth -- both are suggestive, though the latter is definitely more frank about it), but the compositions are uniquely his own. Of course, the solos are great and some of the licks just downright leap out at you with feeling. If you're looking for the neo-classical shred-fest that Gilbert sorta pigeon-holed himself into with his RacerX affiliation, you should probably look elsewhere. This is a "happy" sounding album and the flying dog on the cover says it all, in my opinion.

Again, every tune on this CD is absolutely amazing. This guy is for real, and in addition to being a wizard of the fretboard, he just writes damn good material. Heavy Disco Trip is awesome, and I play that riff on my axe several times a week! Get It and Be My wife are excellent compositions, and Gilberto Concerto is incredible! A must have for any serious guitarist, or anyone who loves high energy rock with incredible guitar work.

Paul Gilbert proves he can do alot more than shred and I am so impressed with this CD! I owned cassette tape versions of earlier Racer X material and I love these as well. It must be a natural progression - and a bit of an epiphany for the artist -
to rather re-invent and forge forward. Paul's solo work is getting better and better!
There are so many tunes I like on this CD!

This new album by former Mr.Big guitar player Paul Gilbert is a nice surprise! Beatle-esque melodies coupled with good leading and backing vocals, not forgetting the intrincate, fast melodic guitar riffs and chops make this a delicious CD. Highlights include the first track "Get It" with its infectious theme and the ballad "Kate is a Star". Listen to flying dog and have a good time!

Ever since getting "Get Out Of My Yard", I've been looking for reasons to buy stuff on Amazon to get the rest of PG's catalog. It's getting annoying. And expensive.

"Down To Mexico" is probably the catchiest of the tunes for me. Awesome riffage. But "Flying Dog" is a great lyrical outing, with great hooks (and some amazing harmonies on some songs, esp. "Kate is a Star"). Some simple lyrics, some silly ones and some beautiful ones too.

Closing with the "Gilberto Concerto" was a stroke of genius. I would love to hear PG do a CD of nothing but classical music.

I cannot wait to get every one of Paul Gilbert's releases and then just marvel at their genius. Of course, then I need to buy all the instructional DVDs too...

but not crazy enough NOT to purchase this! ha ha. Paul Gilbert rocks - one of the best musicians out there. Very versatile music - this cd goes from rocking to a 50's vibe, to a 70's vibe and funk, ballad, classic instrumental. All with songs/songwriting with a sense of humor. I can't find anyone that beats Paul Gilbert when you want to be entertained listening to awesome musicianship.

I discovered Paul Gilbert when I purchased his latest "SILENCE FOLLOWED BY A DEAFENING ROAR" which is an excellent metal guitar album.I decided then I had to have more Paul Gilbert.FLYING DOG is not only as good guitar wise but is excellently written.Paul's humor in his lyrics is gut busting at times though often very true.I love his ability to write songs that have a metal Beach Boys/Beatlesque delivery that makes them so appealing and easy to listen to repeatedly.Great metal rock n roll.Highly recommend this album.It pushed me to pursue a great deal of Paul Gilbert's earlier stuff from Racer X and Mr.Big