Customer Reviews

Getting Heavier

5 star:		(6)
4 star:		(4)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(4)
1 star:		(9)

 

 

After reading some of the comments regarding this CD on Amazon, I felt it my duty to follow up and tell you all what a fantastic CD this is. It is quite different than their previous two recording, Technical Difficulties and Superheroes, in that this album was mixed and produced to give a more uniform and textured sound. The previous two recordings are more like live recordings in that the guitar and bass are very raw and in your face. I think that Paul Gilbert took a page from bands like Gamma Ray and Stratovarius when recording this as Getting Heavier is very refined. But Paul Gilbert, Scott Travis and Jeff Alderete absolutely wail on this recording. They are three of the best musicians in the world and it shows on Getting Heavier. Dr. X, Lucifer's Hammer, GO-GG-GO, Golden God and Catapult to Extinction (instrumental) all illustrate the talent in this band and are true Racer X classics. There are also some songs that show the maturity of this bands music. The Siren'Eye has a touch of Indian influence, Heaven in 74 is a fantastic song that could become the new intro for "That 70's Show", and Empty Man, my favorite song, shows a more melodic side and the versatility of the musicians in this band. Fantastic stuff. Great CD. I highly recommend it to anyone who likes wicked guitar playing and good old fashion in your face Rock and Roll.

Paul's best playing, John's best playing, Scott's best playing, and Jeff's best singing. Nobody else can do it like Racer can; You will be amazed. Nuff said.

Sharp guitarwork. Great sound. A great approach to varied songwriting. Enough variety to keep you attentive. Don't sleep on this release. If you're an old fan and appreciate a bit of a change, give it a couple of listens. It's a marvelous piece of work.

I expected much more guitar but what I got was a much more mature, balanced and totally excellent album. It has a couple of songs that are bound to become classics.

Once again we are graced by the brilliance of messers Gilbert, Alderette, Martin, and Travis. I must agree with the previous reviewer that this is Racer X's most varied sounding album. The only reason this album didn't get a 5 star rating is that it lacks the pure thunder that songs from their two previous albums had. Songs like Let The Spirits Fly, Dead Man's Shoes, and 17th Moon had a punch that could crack your ribs. Whereas even the heaviest songs on this album such as Dr. X don't quite measure up. It could be due to Paul's production preferances, I'm not sure. I was waiting for a track that makes you want to go out and destroy stuff that unfortunately never arrived. However, for any fan of real metal, this is a can't miss.

Arguably their best songwriting to date, Racer X continues to outdo themselves. The songs cover a wider spectrum of genres while fitting in the "Racer" metal context. Some bluesy, some power pop, some classic rock and of course HEAVY stuff. It's obvious that ALL of the guys had much more input into the songs. After giving just a couple of listens to this, it's obvious that Paul Gilbert has joined the ranks of the elite rock guitarists of all time. John Alderete has got to be one of the most underrated bassists in the metal/rock genre. Of course Scott is a monster - and plays a major role in the band, and it's refreshing to hear Jeff spread out with more diverse vocal phrasing.

There are no clunkers on this album and it's an exciting listen. Nobody (fan, musician, new listener) will be disappointed with this one.

This album rocks.. How can anyone that has ever listened to this band faithfully through the years say it doesn't??
Dr.X smokes.. Bucket of Rocks. Heaven in 74 isn't typical of their stuff but it absolutely gets to the fact of the matter that these guys are the best....

The reviews that are shunning this album do not surprise me. Paul Gilbert always seems to be trying something different once in a while and then coming well off the rails. His solo albums were never a real hit with the Racer X faithful, except a few, but this album again is a diversification away from what the ardent fans really want to hear. I would love Racer X to return to their Eighties heyday and release a blistering album like Second heat again. Energy shred with monster riffs is what Paul Gilbert was always famous for and whilst the previous 2 albums aren't bad, I feel the original magic that made Racer-X one of the best live bands in their heyday just isn't there anymore. I only hope they could get it back. Perhaps Paul Gilbert should look for an additional shredder to join the band because that may be whats missing.

First of all I just want to say that Racer X is one of my favorite bands of all time.I have all of their albums and all of them rock.Personally my favorites are Technical Difficulties,SuperHeroes and Second Heat. Even though Getting Heavier doesn't rank up there with the classics,it's far from being a bad album. Songs like Heaven in 74,Dr. X,and Lucifers Hammer just rock.The album in general ain't that bad but nothing really stands out.Most of the songs on the CD are B-sides songs.They're okay but in general the album fails to grab the listener by the throat.

I give this one a solid 4.5 stars but that rounds up to 5 stars in whole numbers. If you are a Racer X fan, a Paul Gilbert fan, a half-way decent guitarist or aspire to be one....get this one!!!! And...good luck finding this one USED on Amazon as of April 2006 (nearly 4 years after release). As of April 2006, you don't see a FLOOD of used copies as typical of most CDs listed on Amazon. I only counted one USED listing as of today and the rest are listed as BRAND NEW. So that ought to tell you something!!!! If this CD were so bad you would see a ton of USED copies listed, but 4 years after release you don't!!!! I suspect some of the reviewers that gave this CD a low rating may be pissed off that they could not get a USED copy and paid the FULL $17 new price....some may have given the CD one listen and were just looking for something to vent about. This CD has riffs and solos galore, vocals-bass-drums are tight, production is excellent. You know that Paul Gilbert has awesome solos but if you want to learn killer guitar riffs, check this CD out...lots of variety. Attention guitarists.....study Paul Gilbert's riffs as well as his solos and you WILL become a better guitarist. My absolute FAVORITES are:

Bucket of Rocks - 10/10

Go-GG-Go - 10/10

Empty Man - 10/10

Close runner ups are Lucifer's Hammer, Golden God, Ghost Dance, The Siren's Eye, and Endless....basically the whole CD is great work from my perspective.

I know the $17 new copy price is a little high but grab one and check it out or good luck finding a USED copy. Get this CD anyway you can.....I bit the bullet and got a new CD and was not disappointed. I listen to the CD often and study Paul Gilbert's riffs and Racer X's approach to song structure in general. I'm a guitarist and student of the trade and I'm very greatful for Racer X's production of this fine CD as it provides a wealth of ideas and opportunities for me to grow as a guitarist. Anyway, enough about me and my aspirations. Get this CD and if you don't like it send me an e:mail and I'll buy your copy. I'm looking for a back-up USED copy to keep around at work and another in my car. Thanks for reading....I hope this review helps and provides an alternative perspective.