GILBERT, PAUL space ship one IECP-10230

A Galactic Guitar Voyage: Paul Gilbert’s ‘Space Ship One’ Reissue (IECP-10230)

Today’s entry spotlights a fun and technically dazzling solo album from the guitar wizard Paul Gilbert. We are looking at the 2010 Japanese reissue of his fifth solo album, “Space Ship One,” released by WHD Entertainment with the catalog number IECP-10230. This particular copy comes complete with its original obi strip.

Originally released in 2005, this album captures Gilbert at a creative peak, balancing his “crazy” guitar chops with his love for Beatles-esque pop melodies. Backed by the incredible drumming of Marco Minnemann and bassist Linus Of Hollywood, the album is a “jewel box” of diverse styles, ranging from heavy shred to psychedelic pop.

The album is famous for its eclectic tracklist. It opens with the explosive title track and features fan favorites like the catchy, pop-rock fusion of “Mr. Spock” and the George Harrison cover “It’s All Too Much.” A unique highlight for Japanese fans is the track “Boku No Atama,” which Gilbert sings entirely in Japanese, showcasing his playful personality. Other tracks like “SVT” remind listeners of his Racer X roots, while “We All Dream Of Love” highlights his growth as a singer-songwriter.

For collectors, this 2010 reissue is the definitive version to own. It is packed with four exclusive bonus tracks: “That Could Be True,” “We Could Be Like The Rabbits,” “I Put My Jacket On,” and “Mario’s Peruvian Seafood Restaurant,” bringing the total track count to a massive 18 songs. IECP-10230 is a high-energy, feel-good album that proves technical guitar music can also be incredibly fun and melodic.