The late Kevin Gilbert, aside from being the guiding light of the cult favorites Toy Matinee, was a well-respected songwriter and session player, contributing to Sheryl Crow's Tuesday Night Music Club, Madonna's I'm Breathless, and Michael Jackson's Dangerous. Prior to his untimely passing in 1996, he had just finished the final touches on this fabulous concept album, The Shaming of the True. Essentially the tale of a fictional rock & roller named Johnny Virgil who travels through the music industry sausage grinder, this album is a virtual rock opera in all the best ways. Highly influenced by Queen, The Who, and Genesis -- three true masters of the form -- Gilbert's tale is an epic, sweeping, complete work that is cinematic in its scope. Loaded with both pathos and humor as well as some rock-solid performances, this album is a bittersweet farewell from one of the brightest lights to emerge in the last 15 years.