Vibrato
Paul Gilbert · 2012
67 min · 11 tracks · hard rock
A vibrant fusion of intricate guitar work and hard rock melodies that showcases a masterful balance between technicality and songcraft.
Top tracks — play these first
-
→
Enemies (in Jail) — This track features a compelling narrative paired with intense guitar riffs, establishing the album's thematic depth right from the start.
-
→
Bivalve Blues — With its playful title and jazzy influences, this track showcases Gilbert's versatility beyond traditional hard rock, highlighting his creative boundaries.
-
→
Vibrato — The title track encapsulates the album's essence, combining melodic hooks with intricate guitar work that reflects Gilbert's mastery of his craft.
Elevation
Our rating, out of 100 — and why.
AI-generated from five scored dimensions. An opinion, not a measurement.
Vibrato combines technical guitar work with engaging songwriting, but its cohesion is affected by the inclusion of live tracks.
What we noticed
- The album maintains a high energy level throughout its first half, with only slight dips in tempo in tracks like 'Bivalve Blues'.
- Composition 25% of the score
-
7/10
- Craft 20% of the score
-
8/10
- Durability 25% of the score
-
6/10
- Distinctiveness 18% of the score
-
7/10
- Sequencing 12% of the score
-
5/10
the writing — melody, harmony, structure, lyrics
production, performance, arrangement
whether it rewards returning to it
whether it sounds like itself
running order, pacing, length
Little footprint beyond its audience. Reported but not counted — how far a record travelled describes its reception rather than the record, and a newer release has had less time to travel than an older one.
Is this for you?
Good fit if you like
- gradual build to energetic climax
- virtuosic guitar showcases throughout
- engaging live performance energy
- dynamic shifts in pacing
- immersive listening experience
Maybe skip if you
- dislike lengthy instrumental passages
- prefer straightforward song structures
Where this album fits
- Career context
- When Paul Gilbert released Vibrato in 2012, he was already an established guitarist known for his work with Mr. Big and his solo projects. This album came after a six-year gap since his previous studio release, positioning it as a return to form that emphasized his signature style while exploring new lyrical themes.
- Stylistic neighbors
- Joe Satriani· Steve Vai· Yngwie Malmsteen
Tracklist
Best experienced from track one — press play and let it unfold.
- 1 Enemies (in Jail) 6:00
- 2 Rain and Thunder and Lightning 5:03
- 3 Vibrato 3:29
- 4 Put It on the Char 5:33
- 5 Bivalve Blues 7:43
- 6 Blue Rondo a la Turk 5:38
- 7 Atmosphere on the Moon 5:14
- 8 The Pronghorn 5:36
- 9 Roundabout (live) 9:08
- 10 I Want to Be Loved (live) 6:10
- 11 Go Down (live) 7:57
Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata
Sync your library
Everything you track here works immediately — no account needed. Create one when you want to sync across devices.