Guns N Roses. That name is always mentioned whenever something is written about one of their ex members and maybe it should be. After all, they have released one of the best and most classic rock albums of all time. But somehow it doesn’t seem really fair to be judged by that as soon as you release something new. Slash’s Snakepit, Velvet Revolver and Loaded were all good bands, but of course, it’s more or less impossible to match the impact Appetite For Destruction has made on the rock scene.
Plus it’s years and years ago that Guns N Roses split up. The member who has made the most of his solo situation are without a doubt Slash. A couple of years ago, he released his first and self titled solo album, a killer disc which featured different singers on each track. Except one singer, Myles Kennedy from Alter Bridge was featured on two tracks and rightfully so, because not only were those tracks the finest moments on the CD, Kennedy has the best voice of all the singers on there and the guy is still one of the most brilliant singers out there today. So, when touring time came, it was a no-brainer that Kennedy were the man to fill the singer spot in that band.
That turned out so well that Slash decided to go out as duo on his new album, even giving his band a name on the cover. And you can hear it! This album definitely sounds like a band more than a solo album. It also should shut the mouths of critics who claims that Slash can’t cut it on his own when it comes to writing songs. Just one listen to this album proves just that.
The title track is a groovy rocker where Myles really shines, ”Standing In The Sun” is a Stonesy rocker with a killer hook, first single ”You’re A Lie” is pure brilliance, ”No More Heroes” should be single no 2, a great hard rock song, ”Still We Roam” sounds like a more rock ’n’ roll Alter Bridge, ”Anastasia” is catchy and groovy as Hell and ”Shots Fired” is awesome. It has a sound similar to the more metal sound G N’R had on tracks like ”You Could Be Mine”. And there’s ballads here too. Great ballads that shows that Slash is much more than ”Sweet Child O’ Mine” and ”November Rain”. ”Not For Me” is a on the heavy rock ballad side and should be a single, because it is a hit and ”Far And Away” is not a far cry from ”Back From Cali” from his last solo album.
Again those damn bonus tracks have to be mentioned. Why on earth would you put great songs like ”Caroline” and ”Crazy Life” on an album as bonustracks when they are as brilliant as these two? That’s about the only negative thing I can say about this CD. The rest of the band should not go unnoticed either. Brent Fitz (Union, Vince Neil) on drums and bassist Todd Kerns makes the band a complete unit.
The album sounds fresh, alive, kicking with an attitude and a smile. This is rock n’ roll, people. At its best.
Jon Wilmenius (9/10)
Tracklist:
- Apocalyptic Love
- One Last Thrill
- Standing In The Sun
- You’re A Lie
- No More Heroes
- Halo
- We Will Roam
- Anastasia
- Not For Me
- Bad Rain
- Hard And Fast
- Far And Away
- Shots Fired
- Carolina – Classic Rock edition bonus
- Crazy Life – Classic Rock edition bonus
CD & Festival reviews 