Artist: Racer X  CD Title: "Super Heroes" Reviewed by: Nick Martinelli Reviewed:

     The kings of heavy metal shred are back and in full force with their 2nd latest release "Superheroes!"  They've been on a long break, but there back. After the break up of Racer X  Paul Gilbert went on to even more success with the Band Mr. Big.  Scott Travis joined Metal Gods Judas Priest (who he is still is a member of).  Jeff Martin went to join and play drums for Jake E. Lee's band Badlands.  Racer X reformed in 2000 and released the "Technical Difficulties" album, another one to go and add to your shred collection.  X then quickly followed up with this one.  

     This album is very hard to review because there is so much to comment on.  Shred is everywhere, so we will highlight some of the best parts of the songs.   This record is hot as hell.  Smoking guitar, powerful vocals, thundering bass, and death drums.  Each musician contributed 150% on this CD, and you can tell very easily.  I could just imagine this as a live show.  As a linear note, Bruce Bouillet, former Racer X guitarist from "Second Heat" and on, does not perform on this album, from sources, he has some medical problems that hinder his playing ability.  It sad not to see him play with Racer X, because he was such a plus to have in the band.  We miss you Bruce!  To make up for it he did all the mixing on this record, so he still keeps up with the band in every way.  On with the goods.

    Track one, "Superheroes" starts the album off with a big bang.  Souring guitar riffs that move at lightning speed, and makes the bass in your speakers pound.  Jeff's vocals, really add the extra power kick to the sound.  Drums are fast paced and that bass lays a great foundation.  Check out the cool lick at 00:46, typical Racer X shred line.  Great lyrics in this song as well, try singing along with Jeff!  Cool lead break at 1:16.  Do yourself a favor and listen to the part at 1:41, learn how to play it and amaze your friends!  Your mouth will drop wide open.  2:04 starts of the main lead with a smoking trem picking idea, then Paul goes Ape!  Shred galore.  I'm so glad to see Paul shredding again, he did some in Mr. Big, but he didn't have the freedom to go insane with his guitar work.  Finally, the ending section is one bad monkey, closing with a huge arpeggio section, at 4:09.  

     "Let the Spirit Fly," track two, shows off Racer X's wide variety of riffing.  This song has a great groove to it, great lyrics, and the chorus lines are  the best.  Nice lead break at 00:55, slow paced pentatonics.  This song moves very well, the groove keeps up the whole song.  Jeff Martin's vocals have a wide range in this song.   1:42 starts of the main lead section, and this lead is a medium paced one.  Paul showcases a lot of his talent in this song as far as his guitar playing.  Lots of bends, trem picking and cool licks.

     "Godzilla," track three is a cover of Blue Oyster Cult's classic.  Personally, they do way better job of it.  Racer X really brings this old rock and roll classic to life.  Paul uses an octave pedal  to make his guitar sound heavier.  You really feel like Godzilla is tearing up your town while listening to it.   00:56 begins an early lead section. They really established a massive wall of tone with this song.  Also listen for Paul's lead fills and Godzilla himself making a special guest appearance.

     Track four, "Dead Man's Shoes" rocks!  This song starts with your classic "Second Heat" style riff.  Slower paced, but lots of chug.  A real head banger here.  Cool lyrics as well.  Listen closely to John's backing base lines, he doubles some of Paul's complex lines with the greatest of ease.  Cool semi-clean progressing riff at 2:25, then comes the main lead 2:45.  It really locks into the vibe of the song.  John's bass lines even shred underneath it.  Lots of cool licks.  This is a great example of Paul's ability to play with smarts, this song doesn't need a million notes a second lead, it needs a great vibe, and that's what Paul delivered. 

    "King of the Monsters" track five, smokes.  Bringing back the killer instrumental songs that Racer X are known for.  This song just moves, Scott's drum work in this song are amazing, killer double bass, and beat.  Get ready to blow yours ears and neck out.  00:44 begins one of John's awesome shred lines. Then at 1:05 begins the restating guitar line.  Its killer, very melodic with and a to die for lead tone.  Racer X goes over the top with this one.  Paul blasts off into the atmosphere with his main lead at 3:16, with a cool climbing run.  This lead is medium speed, again showing off Paul's ability to do more than just rip fret boards.  Lots of taste and articulation, but your still get lots of feel.

     "Mad at the World" track six is my favorite vocal song.  Very mainstream, as far as vocals.  Great rock song. The guys even do backing vocals!  Great mini lead 00:17.  Its got so much soul, its unbelivable.  Paul's guitar sings and locks with the main groove very well.  This track is a very good driving song.  Its a slower paced tune, but it just carries its self so well.  2:11 begins Paul's genius work, with some cool bends, then some great slower shred lines.  Check out the cool lick at 2:45.  You won't be mad at the world ever again after hearing this tune.

     Track seven, "Evil Joe," is the comedy track on the album.  Its a very different sounding song than normal Racer X songs, especially in the vocal department.  Jeff raps, and it beats the hell out of any rapper. Jeff's got balls that's why.  The lyrics in this song are funny as hell.  Poking fun of Suburban, white boy, punks, that proclaim them selves as being tough guys.  Very fun song, cool vocal over dubs.  2:10 just starts Paul's lead work, it goes, then drops back to join the back beat.  3:23 really begins the screaming guitar work that we all love.  There's to many parts to list, but Paul does some insane bends and effect tricks ( a Digitech Whammy I've be informed) Thanks guys at the Official Racer X Discussion Board.  Try not to crack up to hard with the vocal dubs during the leads.

     "That Hormone Thing,"  track eight starts off with hair raising guitar work.  Great intro mini lead.  This song is also a slower paced one.  Check out the killer bluesy riff at 00:45.  This song has lots of cool guitar parts all over the place.  This song has a ton of vibe to it.  2:02 starts the main lead, once again Paul will make your mouth drop wide open with this one.  Its starts of with some shred, then slows down and gets bluesy.  Some funny lyrics in this one to.  Crucify your G-String! 

     "Viking Kong" track nine is another great instrumental song.  It starts out with a tone ridden classical sounding intro.  Please put this one one loop!  Paul's guitar tone, sounds so smooth and layered.  Not to mention lots of the guitar work is harmonized!  The main repeating lead is awesome.   There are to many parts to list, but this is one song I need to learn how to play.  1:40 is one of the greatest leads on this record.  A very power fully lead, starts off with shredding, and carries it the whole way through.  There are even some unbelivable classical lines, in the lead.  Paul just goes over board on this.  Remember the old shred runs and licks from the old days?  Well there back at 2:55.  I almost wet my pants after hearing them!!!   You even get a second taste of "Frenzy" at 3:12!  I was like what the %#$^@*& after hearing this song.  It was so blown away!  It also sports the longest lead section on the album. Seriously, please listen to this one a few times to absorb the whole effect.  There so much to digest in this song, that stuff is easy to miss.  The ending leads will make you mouth salivate.

     Track ten "Time Before the Sun," begins with a great 12 string guitar riff.  This is the longest track on the CD clocking in at 7:13, and this might just be the longest Racer X song ever.  It has a rainy day kind of vibe to it.  Jeff really shows of some great vocal styling in this song.  2:14 starts and early lead.  This one rally locks with the backing music, very bluesy sounding. Then at 2:38 you get a kind of "Satriani ish" guitar line.  Very cool with lots of flavor.  After that, Paul just goes nuts.  Blending shred lines and blues together.  Another thing to mention is the reoccurring 12 string guitar line, its very mysterious sounding and really adds some texture to the song. Paul also uses some cool guitar tones, to help layer his guitar work in this track as well.  5:08 sports another tasty guitar lead, again adding another layer to the song's whole texture.  This track gives the feeling you get just as you take in a new day's sunrises, when the sky slowly lights up with many colors.  Good mood music!

     "O.H.B.,"  track eleven is one great way to end a CD.  It just rocks!  Cool main riff, and the lyrics are great.  This song is about those super hot babes that you wish you could get.  You'll know what I mean after hearing it.  I love the chorus in the song, you'll learn with O.B.H. stands for.  I won't ruin it for you.  Cool lead break at 1:16.  You'll really get a kick out of the lyrics in this song, and the ladies will be like "Hey that's Me!"  2:22 begins the main lead section, kind of reminds me of a little AC/DC (after hearing it you'll be able to tell), then Paul just rips after that.  Check out the strum line at 2:50.  I really like this song a lot, its very fun and is a great tune to jam along with.  To top it off Paul ends the album with some rocking shred.  

     Looking back, this album is a four star release.  Full blown high octane, shift into 5th gear CD.  It'll keep you on your toes the whole way through.  It's like getting into a boxing ring and duking it out with Racer X, bad thing is you'll get the @#$% knocked out of you after listening to the whole CD.  You get your rockers, funnies, and slower ones.  Can we say SHRED and chops from hell!  I think Racer X really helped to turn the world on to super fast guitar playing, and a new way of playing guitar.  They were ground breaking for their day, and had to be the flagship for Shrapnel Records back in the day.  Being a young guitarist myself, I can't wait for the day that my chops get this damn good. You'll be shell-shocked while listening to this CD.  There are so many cool guitar lines, its not even funny.  That's what Racer X is known for, smoking guitar.  I don't think there is a band that would even come close the the amount of shred that X uses on any given CD.

     When I first started playing guitar these guys were a huge inspiration for me and still are to this day.  They are one of the reasons why I bust my chops practicing with a metronome all the time.  Its rare that you find a whole band that is loaded with high caliber musicians, hell the bassist even shreds his butt off!  So this album and all Racer X's albums can apply to all fans of different types of instruments.  Bassists, do your selves a favor and learn some of John Alderete's bass lines.  

     The sound quality is great on this CD as well, great mix and you can always hear every instrument .  Nothing is left unheard thanks to Bruce.  So if your looking for some inspiration for you playing please go and pick up this CD.  Most Best Buy stores carry it, or save the trip and go to www.impulsemusic.com and get it right away at a great price.  Remember to Crucify your G-string after hearing this CD!  Cheers...