Racer X and former Mr Big guitarist Paul Gilbert is one of the most revered six stringers in the world.  As famous for his stunning website as his guitar work the man is impossible not to like.  But one question has also pondered fans of Pablo Gilberto – where is the instrumental album?  Well fear not its finally here and although maybe not the most killer groundbreaking release some might expect its sure to please fans of PG immensely. 

Entitled “Get Out Of My Yard” and home to 14 tracks that cover a few different styles and show Paul’s many influences the album is a fun ride into guitar land.  Prior to the recording Paul commented, "I hope to record the most frightening guitar work I've ever done, and scare everyone within hearing distance with a towering monument of glowing guitar metal intenseness”.  Well to some extent Paul has achieved this but don’t expect a shredfest throughout. 

The opening title track are summed up by another Gilbert observation, “The first 38 seconds of Get Out Of My Yard are impossible to play. But I played them.” – nuff said.  Things quickly get into more digestible areas with the Rush sounding “Hurry Up” before “The Curse Of The Dragon” is sure to please all fans of Racer X coming across as a mix of Van Halen meeting Yngwie in instrumental waters.  “Radiator” is full of lush Hendrix/Frank Marino chordal textures that lead into some truly impressive lead work.  “Straight Through The Telephone Pole” is a funk meets southern boogie workout (not a million miles from the Gilbert track “I Understand Completely” from the hard to find yet essential “Guitars That Rule The World” compilation brought out by Guitar World magazine in 1991).  “Marine Layer” is in dedication to smog in LA and shows a more tender side with piano combining with acoustic guitar to rich effect.  “Twelve Twelve” is a bluesy Mr Big type track which sees Paul utilising a 12 string bass and has another superb solo.  “Rusty Old Boat” is back to funky waters that sound a little Deep Purple-ish thanks to some organ work.  The track also has some of the most intense lead work on the album – great syncopation.  “The Echo Song” sees Paul duelling with a delay pedal which is a nice technique number before “Full Tank” would have made a very strong vocal track in Mr Big – a nice sunny vibe here.  “My Teeth Are A Drumset” is a good up-tempo rocker with more scary guitar before Paul’s penchant for performing classical symphony’s on nothing more than guitars has another addition thanks to “Haydn Symphony No.88 Finale”.  The home straight is covered by “Three E’s For Edward” dedicated to Paul’s biggest guitar hero one EVH.  The track is performed on acoustic simply on which Paul put 3 strings and tuned them all to E across 3 octaves – a little EVH influence can be heard but the track reminded me more of Midnight Express by Nuno Bettencourt (on Extreme’s essential ‘Waiting For The Punchline’).  “You Kids” closes the album with more rocking goodies which has enough guitar goodies to please all fans once again.

Overall “Get Out Of My Yard” is a very enjoyable album that has enough to please fans of Paul Gilbert the world over.  I am not gonna say it’s a guitar instrumental all time classic as it doesn’t really grab you as say ‘Rising Force’ or ‘Son Of Man’ does. But anyone that is familiar with Paul’s work already or for those that want pure unadulterated guitar action from PG then its an essential purchase.