Paul Gilbert
Acoustic Samurai

I find myself facing an incredible disappointment.

For those who appreciate this kind of shows or this type of publication, I still advise to stay away from it. The scandal is not so much in the quality or not of the music contained in this pitiful "Acoustic Samurai", but the real flaw is a dull demonstration of laziness, lack of creativity, originality, and also professionalism.

Paul Gilbert. What a guitarist! Too bad he seems more like one of those pseudo punk bands that invent decent songs to sell or to impress some pretty girl. And the waste of talent here is truly obscene. How many would love to play like Paul? How many spend hours in front of his instructional videos (myself included)? And then, I find myself in front of this mess. And then, very badly recorded, as if it were a mere bootleg of some local songwriter.

The songs don't work in the studio, let alone in an acoustic version, where they take on an even more childish and senseless aspect: "Potato Head", "Dancing Queen", "I Like Rock", "Down to Mexico" demonstrate a certain skill of our man to write what we commonly define as little songs, but I repeat, from him, I would like something great, truly great. There's not much left to reach the abyss: "Suicide Lover", the pathetic "I am Satan" and the more cheerful "Individually Twisted" show how Gilbert seems not to mind playing what he likes, but this music is so inferior to what Gilbert has done in the past that I feel deeply hurt. From here to the end the songs in acoustic version all seem really alike to me, I can't distinguish one from another. And then, as the listening goes on, we see an even cockier Gilbert, intent on showing us that he plays anyway. But do we need to know it? More than knowing it, I want to hear how good he is and not in an acoustic album that is really awful. All this resentment in "The Second Loudest Guitar in". A display of technical infinity, but let him do it well instead of writing little songs for kids. And then the only ray of light amidst so much mediocrity: the acoustic version of "Scarified", a well-known piece from his Ace X. Finally close with two unreleased tracks: "Maybe I'll Die Tomorrow" and the objectively beautiful "All for Alison", a song that reminds me of too many acoustic episodes of Mr. Big, but at least, let me appreciate it...

Even an unknown guitarist could make an album like this: a party, some friends, some beers, a recorder. The album is done, mediocre, like this one. But he is Paul Gilbert, and unfortunately when you are so famous and acclaimed, everything is gold and success. Stay away if you want a proper acoustic concert.