Customer Reviews

Space Ship One

5 star:		(6)
4 star:		(8)
3 star:		(3)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

This is brilliant. So there are modern solo artists out there with actual talent. It's not all James Blunt soppy acoustic rubbish. Here's Paul Gilbert formerly of Racer X and Mr. Big. And can I just say he rocks. Heavily influenced by Edward Van Halen the man is what I call a "shredding machine" that can be seen on the song here Jackhammer. But he's also talented in the slower music department too which some heavy metal shred Gods don't seem to be. Even his inspiration Van Halen has taken tips from him, although it may not be widely known Gilbert used a drill to create a sound through his guitar pick-ups before Eddie did it on Poundcake in 1991. Anyway this album is Brilliant the title track is constantly in my Top 10 Most Played Songs on iTunes. Gilbert also experiments with a cover version of a George Harrison song and sings Japanese. It's important to understand Gilbert isn't as serious as say Steve Vai or Yngwie Malmsteen however. He loves humour at the same time. This album was recorded with Gilbert's "Burning Organ" band and is in my opinion probably the best record since then!

I received my Japan-imported CD today.
OK, this album does not work as quick as the albums before, I didn't have a favourite tune in my ear after hearing it once.
But Paul Gilbert plays and sings his songs nevertheless with passion and you can just hear him enjoying every note.
And after a few times hearing it though, the songs got catchier every time. After 4 times hearing it in a row, i can hardly sit still in my chair. Paul Gilbert still rocks.
I rated 4 stars, because Paul caught me with albums like Alligator Farm a bit faster. But the CD is still a must have for every Gilbert Fan.

AWESOME

There is no way one may not enjoy listening to this album. It is funny, rhythmic, and cool and as everything else that Paul Gilbert does, very impressive musically speaking.

Paul Gilbert is one of the most important guitar legends of all times and he does not need to prove anything. I guess that's what makes his music so enjoyable - he is not interested into giving away a thousand notes in one second at all times. Nothing he plays is unnecessary. He can play a real simply lead guitar with the exact right notes and he can play (and he still does whenever necessary) the most amazing guitar solo you have ever heard. He is by far the most complete guitarist, technically speaking. He is faster than Malmsteen (refer to the Racer X stuff) and funnier than Steve Vai. He combines his fascinating guitar playing and good taste for music with very simple pop songs and the funniest lyrics.

If you are:

- A guitar player, you will like this album because of Paul Gilbert's always very impressive solos and guitar style;
- A pop fan, you will like this album because you can dance while listening to it all day;
- A drummer, you will like this album because it features Marco Minnemann on drums who is one of the best drummers today;
- A rock fan, you will like this album because it really rocks!!
- A Mr. Big/Racer X/Paul G fan, you will like this album because he will not disappoint you with his terrifying guitar playing.
- I enjoyed Burning Organ and now I'm enjoying Space Ship One 24 hours/day.

Paul Gilbert really is the man...

As an old 80's metalhead and guitar player myself, I was already WELL aware of Paul's guitar playing abilities. So I picked this up on a whim one day, and quite frankly, I was blown the #*%& away!!
I had no idea he was this talented a song writer and singer.
I purchased this a week ago, and I haven't stopped playing it almost non-stop yet.
The ONLY reason several of these songs weren't top of the charts hits is that Mtv, Rolling Stone, etc., is nothing but a GD popularity contest.
I now plan on purchasing ALL of his solo albums, and have already ordered a couple of them... yep, this album IS that good....

Hey, this is a great CD! Nice work by Paul and the boys. Terrible Man, and of course SVT really smoke, but I also like We All Dream Of Love and Boku No Atama, although I don't know what the last song is about, but it sure is a great song anyway. This CD makes a great gift as it has songs that will please all who listen.
Humboldt Jim

While this album didn't catch me as fast as Burning Organ did, it is still worth the price to hear Paul and his Osmonds/Beatles vocals and blasting guitar riffs. The title cut is very catchy with very tricky guitar parts - a great opening tune. I'm looking forward to the DVD coming out in June!!

The band is very tight with Marco Minnemann on Drums and Linus of Hollywoood on Bass. Buy it today!!

This is a really "fun" Paul Gilbert album. It does not have tons of flashy guitar work like old school RacerX, but it does have great songs. Very fun and catchy tunes with an 80's sort of style. If you are PG fan, it's definitely worth the money.

Everyone knows Gilbert's prowess as a master shredder. Most speed players are naturally drawn to instrumentals since that style doesn't normally fit the style of a 'rock & roll band'. This album took me by surprise because not only is Gilbert attempting to mold his shred-a-listic style to a more accepted rock and pop type format, he actually sings. His singing is adequate but far from stellar. His great guitar tone is the better voice.

Songs like Mr. Spock and the title track (Space Ship One) are toe-tappers with some nice hooks that keep the listener engaged. Every Hot Girl is a Rockstar and On the Way to Hell are decent tunes. SVT sounds like something Green Day would record, except for perhaps some legitimate guitar playing. The rest of the tracks are pretty much forgettable particularly the ballad, We all Dream of Love, complete with piano. Really???? The Beatles' cover, It's All Too Much, is better than the original thought that's not saying much.

All in all, I think PG tries to mold his shred style to other genres possibly creating a dysfunctional record if one were to judge harshly. I think he pulls it off decently enough and maybe it's something he wanted to try. With 14 tracks, at least half you won't ever hit the repeat button, it's still worth a listen. But in the end, Space Ship One should dock at the Space Station and reconsider its journey.

Some songs I listen to over and over and will continue to do so...others I push the skip button over and over. When Paul is "on" there is no one better. The insane riffing on the title track makes for, perhaps, one of the catchiest and enjoyable songs on this album. It's impossible not to tap your toes or bob your head to that track. Space Ship One does indeed "RULE"! Paul's remake of the Beatle's song "It's All Too Much" is also pitch-perfect. It is easy to get lost in his version with all the hypnotic fuzz and feedback. For the most part, Paul writes some good songs and sings OK, but this album, IMO, has too much filler. I would recommending downloading the two songs I mention and skip the album unless you are a Paul Gilbert fan then, of course, buy the whole doggone thing.

Ok I like shredding as much as the next guy, but there comes a point when you need to back up a little and actually make a song with a melody or at least some direction. Most of this album has neither. It's a platform for showing off and I was disappointed in it to that degree. Paul Gilbert is a talented musician, I know he can do better.