d
VELVET REVOLVER
RATING: 6
PLAY THESE: FALL TO PIECES, SLITHER, LOVING THE ALIEN
SKIP THESE: SUPERHUMAN,
The latest rock supergroup to tickle the public's fancy, Velvet Revolver are made up of former members of both Guns 'n Roses (bassist Duff McKagen, drummer Matt Sorem, and guitarist Slash) and Stone Temple Pilots (singer and coke fiend Scott Weiland), along with some relatively unknown rhythm guitarist named Dave Kushner. Understandably, there has been a lot of public interest in Contraband, and the album sold well upon its release last summer. I don't think I'd spoil the surprise if I were to point out that the group sounds like a mixture between Stone Temple Pilots and Guns 'n Roses, so here it goes: these guys sound like a mixture between Stone Temple Pilots and Guns 'n Roses. It's a shocker, I know, so just remember that you read it here first....
Seriously though, this is one rockin,' guitar-heavy album. It sounds more like STP's brand of alternative rock than classic Guns 'n Roses in most places, but the GNR connections come shining through in many places as well. To me the most striking thing about this record is that there are guitar solos. In an age where there are no longer any guitar heroes (save the ageing ones), Slash's axe-work sets this band apart from the pack, and although his playing is restrained in comparison to his maniacal lead work with the Gunners, it's a breath or fresh air in today's stale musical climate, where guitarists don't know how to play anything but barre chords.
Singer Scott Weiland is also in fine form here. The guy sometimes get a bad rap, but in my opinion he is one of the best rock vocalists of his generation, and has a knack for coming up with melodies, unlike most of his alternative rock competition. He can scream and croon softly with the best of them, and he's got an amazing range. The guy is also a pretty darn good impersonator of voices - just listen to his Johnny Rotten imitation on the hidden track, 'Bodies.'
Anyways, the best song here is 'Fall To Pieces,' a big GNR-style ballad with some great dynamics going for it, and classic bluesy-yet-melodic guitar solo that will transport you back to the 80's (in a good way). The aggressive riff-rocker, 'Slither,' is also a hoot, and Slash really lets loose with some fancy finger work at the end of the track - great guns, it's great to hear that stuff again!
That being said, the album has one major problem: it all sounds the same. Almost every song sounds exactly the same, just mindless riff after mindless riff, which is fun for a while but loses its allure by the end of the album. The fact that drummer Matt Sorem has a habit of playing the same straight ahead, unimaginative drum pattern on every damn song doesn't help matters either. That's why the album's few musical diversions - like the beautiful epic album-closer 'Loving The Alien' - are so welcome. Six out of ten.