Guitar virtuoso/singer-songwriter Paul Gilbert’s latest release, WROC, a homophone of “rock,” is based on George Washington’s Rules of Civility and Decent Behaviour In Company and Conversation. Yes, the George Washington you learned about in middle school—Gilbert’s one of the few people on the planet that can make a history lesson fun!
While Gilbert’s peers in his early metal days were more inclin...
Paul Gilbert’s *WROC* presents an intriguing fusion of historical curiosity, AI collaboration, and musical craftsmanship. At its strongest, the project demonstrates how creative constraints—like adapting 18th-century civility rules into modern songs—can spark innovation. Gilbert’s use of AI as a tool rather than a crutch is noteworthy; he leveraged its efficiency for initial ideas but ultimately relied on his own judgment to refine the material. This hybrid approach highlights both the potential...