Review: Paul Gilbert – WROC

Paul Gilbert – WROC
Format: CD – Vinyl LP – Digital / Label: Mascot Label Group – Music Theories Recordings
Release: 2026

Text: Martien Koolen

Paul Gilbert, masterful guitar player, known from among others, Mr. Big and Racer X, will release a new solo album called ‘WROC’, the album being a concept album, and the title is an acronym for Washington’s Rules Of Civility.

So, just when I thought I have heard it all, mister Gilbert surprises me with this weird concept album as the songs deal with guidelines that trace their roots back to a 1595 French etiquette manual written by the Jesuits.

Gilbert’s guitarwork on ‘WROC’ is just stunning and virtuoso indeed, just listen to his classic metal riffage, his guitar wizardry and his boogie-like grooves in tracks like Go Not Thither, Speak Not Evil or Show Not Yourself Glad.

Gilbert (vocals and guitar) is assisted on this amazing album by Nick D’Virgillio (drums), Doug Rappoport (guitar) and Timmer Blakely on bass guitar) and highlights are, at least for me, Speak Not Evil Of The Absent (with some really heavy guitar hooks), Go Not Thither (the first single of the album) and Spark Of Celestial Fire, the latter being the longest song – clocking in over eight minutes – featuring the most mean and lean guitar work of the entire ‘WROC’ album indeed.

This is definitely Gilbert’s best solo album so far, so play it LOUD and enjoy Gilbert’s impressive guitar picking!!

Tracks:
01. Keep Your Feet Firm and Even
02. Show Not Yourself Glad (At the Misfortune of Another)
03. Maintain a Sweet and Cheerful Countenance
04. Go Not Thither
05. Orderly And Distinctly
06. If You Soak Bread in the Sauce
07. Let Thy Carriage
08. Speak Not Evil of the Absent
09. Turn Not Your Back (To Others)
10. Conscience is the Most Certain Judge
11. Every Action Done in Company
12. Spark of Celestial Fire
13. George Washington Rules

Website: https://www.paulgilbert.com/