Review Summary:
Slash makes extensive and exclusive use of les paul guitars and it shows in the slow tracks of this album. The guns n roses era had slash's guitar riffs that made an intro in every track that were woven in well in the melody. Slowly slash's guitar abili
Slash became a budding guitar icon in the late 80s. With his persona and antics he became a world wide name. Recently hes been known to be featured on every good/bad starlets tracks just coz of the guns n roses phenomenon. Or probably he just wants to be busy. Thats alright with me coz his work with guns n roses and most of the velvet revolver tracks is worth listening to. Now lets review this album track by track:-
1. Ghost: Kill the ghost..That hides in your soul..Rock 'n' Roll is the creativity of ian astbury's songwriting. The track reminds you of VR's libertad record with generic guitar licks. Nothing special in the vocals too. The solo comes n goes n you dont feel a thing. 2/5
2. Crucify the dead: We all know that ozzy osbourne uses pro tools n auto tune to hit the right notes and this doesnt bother the true fans of the prince of darkness. With lyrics that explain slash's side of the story of whats the current state of axl and guns n roses, this track holds promise. The song starts with slow guitar licks and then hits hard but ozzy's nasal singing makes it sound funny. 3/5
3. Beautiful Dangerous: Im not really a misogynist as far as women being rockers is concerned but somehow slash had to add in fergie in the cd with a track he hopes would showcase fergie's vocal range. The song has nothing special to be really honest and fergie aint shaking no one's brains. I'm in love with all your dangers, dangers..I can be your favorite angel, angel reminds me of bruno trying to seduce slash at the end credits. 2/5
4. Back From Cali: The song you need to put on the radio and hear it over n over again while driving. With powerful guitar riffs backing up myles kennedy's soothing vocals, the solo is more intrincate yet short. 4/5
5. Promise: Chris Cornell got ruined with his timbaland album but this track might bring him back to the scene where he belongs. The guitar work seems to be done by a half asleep slash as its really yawn. but the vocals keep the song alive. 3/5
6. By The Sword: The first single off the album is foot stomping led zeppelin-ish track with andrew stockdale on the vocals. The lyrics are identical to a lot of wolfmother tracks but the les paul licks make the track really special. The track reminds you a lot of izzy stradlin n slash duo guitar work in some of the acoustic garage band-esque tracks of use your illusion n lies era. good stuff. 5/5
7. Gotten: Adam levine rides his huge motorcycle and comes to the session studio to record a track that almost sounds like somebody has almost crushed his nuts. Talking about love as usual he makes slash go maroon 5 minus the keyboards. The melody is soothing and girls might dig this song. Slash keeps the momentum right by not going overboard with the riffs. 3/5
8. Doctor Alibi: Lemmy drinks and smokes all the time. His throat and lungs might have turned into a bat cave full of snakes and bat crap. But not going the motorhead way but still kicking ass is all he knows. Going all out he helps slash get outta the pop mode thats been on this cd the whole time. The bass is something you cant really hear as the producer might have wanted to keep slash's guitars well layered over the bass. 4/5
9. Watch This: Instrumental with dave grohl and duff mckagan is rocking. A vocal performance couldve been an added bonus but we aint complaining. It is an impromtu jam so isnt a structured metallica instrumental but does keep you on the toes with a great riff. 4/5
10. I Hold On: the sweet home alabama man kid rock loves to be loved by ellen degeneres. So sticking to that arena of rock n roll, slash goes back to the slow pop rock flow of guitar work. With almost every such track you can really predict when the solo would come, how will the last verse sound etc etc. yawn 3/5
11. Nothing To Say: Slash thought of this metal riff that he couldnt perform with guns n roses (obviously he adds) and wanted dave mustaine to share riffs with him. Which wouldve been better coz this track is ruined by m. shadows. Screechy vocals are ok with me but screams going really wrong and almost awkward to understand makes his vocals nothing special. Keeping up to date with current generation slash wanted a7x guy to front his band and he makes this huge song seem weak. Good work slash. Bad job shadows. 3/5
12. Starlight: Reminds me of alter bridge. Myles sings like alter bridge. Slash plays like alter bridge. Lost loves. Dont cry. Aching hearts. Whhaaaaaa... 3/5
13. Saint Is a Sinner too: Worst track off the album. Mumbling words. Sleepy guitar work. And drummer mustve been checking his messages while playing on this track. N btw whose rocco de luca. 2/5
14. We're all gonna die: Iggy pop is a rock n roll icon. His lyrics in this song are almost suicidal. One of the worst lyrics ive ever heard. And the guitar work isnt something to be proud of.Gee, I really like your tits..I'll say anything that fits. Lil wayne would come up with better mixtape throw away songwriting. We're all gonna die..So let's get high. Great. 2/5
Bonus Tracks:-
Sahara: Bonus japanese track has some good melody and guitar work. Dont understand the lyrics. The english version's lyrics seem to be written by a speedball addict's last minute highs. WHHAAATTT. 2/5
Chains And Shackles: Almost like nothing to say. This track hits hard as it has better vocals by nick oliveri. Screams goes well with loud guitars. This should replace nothing to say. Definitely. 4/5
Mother Maria: Featuring Beth Heart. This track is pristine and classy. Not suited for everyone. Has great vocals. Better than some douchebag's slash has added in his main track list. 4/5
Baby Cant Drive: as a gift to steven adler to not go back to his drug world, the track also features alice cooper and nicole from pussycat dolls (why i dunno). Drums are reminiscent of guns n roses days and the track reminds of something out of slash's snakepit era. Flea's drums are almost lost in the chorus with 2 screeching vocals. 3/5
