Search - Racer X :: Superheroes

An explosive sequel to "Technical Difficulties"

Wyldephang | Prince Frederick, MD | 02/23/2004

(5 out of 5 stars)

"From hard rock, to metal, to blues... Paul Gilbert has covered it all, and he's brought that versatility into this album. I might even say "Superheroes is like a box of chocolates..." You never know what you are going to get.Let me pull a few examples here. Songs like Mad at the World would sit well in a power rock/ballad category (recognize that melody from Mr. Big - My Kinda Woman?), but metal instrumentals such as Viking Kong and King of Monsters belong in a category of their own. Bluesy tunes, O.H.B. and That Hormone Thing, and pure out sheer hard rock tunes like Dead Man's Shoes would NEVER mix will in a record... right? Wrong! Paul Gilbert did it all - and even threw in a Racer X interpretation of the Blue Oyster Cult's "Godzilla," with the guitars tuned an octave down and the vocals pushed an octave UP from the original recording.Big fan of metal? The title track is as heavy as it gets, with screaming Halford-like lyrics pushed out in front and flashy stampeding guitar-work that will FLATTEN YOU if you're not careful!Even though the songs are quite seperate in category, Paul Gilbert manages to creatively bind them all together in a fashion where every song is equally enjoyable as the other. True Racer X fans and the lovers of hard rock and metal will not be disappointed with this release."

Racer X is great but Superheroes... not so much

Scottie 2 Hottie | 10/11/2004

(2 out of 5 stars)

"My first Racer X cd was Technical Difficulties, a record i feel defines what it means to rock. Being completely satisfied with my purchase I went to read some buyer's reviews of their other albums on amazon. I decided that Second Heat would be my next purchase, but i stumbled upon "Superheroes" in a record store and decided "hey why not just get this one since its here". My first listen was very disappointing, but i know one must offer recordings numerous listens before a review can be accurate. This record seriously did not live up to my expectations for Racer X. It seems like Paul tried to fit a guitar solo in anywhere he could, none of them offering the interest and excitement that I heard on "T.D." (ex. his entrance on "G-d of the Sun"). The songwriting seems to have been overlooked, instead to offer screeching castrati treble from Jeff Martin, compiled with 32nds notes from Paul. The lyrics on this are absolutely ridiculous."It ain't good for my heart to be Mad At The World... Mad at the worleerld... so mad, so mad, Mad at the World." and "Are ya evil? Evil JOE!" I mean... c'mon. I guess that works in Japan though because they dont speak english. I remain a huge Racer X fan, but to pay over $16 bucks for a cd I expect a little more for the money. But hey thats just my opinion, buy it if you want and hopefully it works out better for you."

Top notch killer album

Matt from NY | 04/05/2003

(5 out of 5 stars)

"This is a truly great album with catchy hooks, great singing, and kickin riffs. I would recommend this to anyone who likes Metal and Shred"