I remember sitting in a Paul Gilbert guitar clinic and one of the attendees asking “why do all your records open with the best song and then kind of, well, dwindle down?” This must have been after Bump Ahead and the guy was referring to Colorado Bulldog, Daddy, Brother, Lover and little Boy, and Addicted to that Rush. Well, this isn’t such a record.
Yes, I am a Mr. Big fan. Although I have only seen them live once unfortunately, I have seen the VHS (!) of Live in San Francisco about 100 times and have all their albums, including Raw like Sushi 1-24, the Richie Kotzen ‘effort’ and the Hard Rock Cafe gig. What do you expect, I play guitar and love Paul Gilbert (have all his solo records, too). I am pointing this out, because I think I had pretty high expectations.
One big how-could-you up front: How can you release an album in Japan and wait for the rest of the world for weeks in this day and age? Sure I’ll pay for the limited physical edition of the album when it comes out. Gladly. Thanks for all the memories. But would I not be looking on the torrents for the Japan release to bridge the wait? Well, sure you’ll understand that I cannot answer that.
That out of the way, here comes the actual review:
The opener Undertow is awesome and features a guitar solo that epitomizes how Paul Gilbert has evolved his guitar playing over the year, unlike for example John Petrucci who until the last release Black Cloud and Silver Lining had no solo I want to immediately learn how to play since almost Metropolix Pt. 2. And What if? continues that way. They get the ballad out of the way early, but it is the “rock album” sound that carries all the way to the final track. Solid base, solid drums, solid songwriting. One could argue that Mr. Big songs are not as fast as they used to be, but that case could be made for everything from Bump Ahead on. They were never a metal band but a rock band with exceptionally talented musicians, a fact which they do prove time and again on this album. So in conclusion, this is a great rock album, not just for fans.
Update: Read this review on melodicrock.com, too, it’s worth it. Billy Sheehan thinks so as well.
1 Comment
Lasith
Totally agree about what you said on how it’s a great rock album ‘not just for fans’ the musicianship, the sheer chemistry between the band (all the songs were apparently written while jamming in the studio) and the amazing writing skills are an example and benchmark for all modern rock artistes!
Do check out the review we did of What If… to when you have the time
http://backdoormag.com/mr-big-what-if-album-review.html