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RELEASED: July 2 , 2007
PRODUCER: Brendan O'Brien
LABEL: RCA
BAND:
Scott Weiland
Slash
Dave Kushner
Duff McKagan
Matt Sorum |
+
Melodic chorus’, Weiland
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Lack of Slash solo’s, Still missing that greatness that Slash & co have produced in the past, |
TRACKS:
1.Let It Roll 2. She Mine 3. Get Out The Door 4. She Builds Quick Machines 5. The Last Fight 6. Pills, Demons & etc. 7. American Man 8. Mary, Mary 9. Just Sixteen 10. Can't Get It Out Of My Head 11. For A Brother 12. Spay 13. Gravedancer |
OVERVIEW
VR first album was one of the most anticipated rock albums of the decade, but that was minimum compared to the pressure that the media have put upon this release. In theory, this band should’ve been the one that put rock back on the charts, but for whatever reason, the songs just didn’t stack up on the 1st album and the public gave it only a luke-warm reception. Now a few years later and we’re here again waiting for the roaring return of hard rock stardom. I waited back in the ranks to review this, and everywhere I’m seeing huge praises for the album. Unfortunately I’m a little more pessimistic.
SONGS
Let It Roll comes out blazing like most songs from Contraband, and you already hear the signature sound they’ve managed to carve for themselves. Pretty solid. Like most songs from the first, She Mine has a droning like verse with a great melodic chorus. Still solid. Get Out The Door has plenty of layered effects and sounds, and again has some great melodic vocal lines a catchy little response riff. This will be a single. 1st single She Builds Quick Machines showed disappointment for some on its original release, but after letting it sink in a little, I’ve become a big fan of this song. Love it. Although Last Fight ushers in a few out of place beats, this will be another single, and possibly a big one. Big English-style hooks and a few tasty guitar licks to boot. Can’t help but love this song, after a few listens. Pills, Demons & Etc. comes in with a funky groove, but Weiland turns it into another pop-rock gem, by now, the album is starting to actually sound very solid. American Man is more of the same, as they start to get on a roll. Mary Mary is exactly what I was afraid the whole album would be like; boring. Crap solo as well. Just Sixteen comes out rocking with its high-tempo rollick, and turns out to be a great rocker, we need more of this. Can’t Get It Out Of My Head has some great melodic licks and vocals, these guys have a seamless run with great ballads, and this is no different. Got A Brother gets down and dirty, and yet again delivers with another sensational chorus, very cool, one of the best. Spay completely misses the mark; easily the worst track. Thankfully, it doesn’t finish there, but does with the beautiful Gravedancer. Actual closer is the cool cowboy hidden track Don't Drop That Dime. Classic.
CONCLUSION
Like the 1st album, this requires a few listens. At first it may seem more of the same, they have a standard sound and style. But on closer inspection, we see a very different animal. Gone are the industrial leanings and thumping rockers, in its place are more introspective and pop-friendly hooks. Being the huge Slash fan that I am, it may sound weird coming from me, but I do believe Weiland is the star of this album. He has taken hard shots the whole time he’s been in the band, and rock fans were disappointed he was even in it. But from where I’m sitting, the vocal melodies and lyrics is what holds this album up, and does so in style. He’s definitely come of age as a writre, and this is a showcase for his work. Unfortunately though, Slash seems to have pulled back and his leads are subtle and often lost in the mix.
This still isn’t the definitive album everyone wants, but it is a kick-arse rock outing. It hasn’t got the few stand-out tracks like the flawless Fall To Pieces, but it is much stronger overall. Better that the 1st, but hopefully not the 3rd.
