Slash - Slash
Rating - 8/10
I don't think there are many people in the world who aren't aware of the top hat toting, cigarette smoking guitarist, formerly of Guns N Roses, Slash's Snake Pit and Velvet Revolver so this album was highly anticipated. This is the first time we've been offered a sample of the music Saul Hudson can produce without a big band name behind him - and it isn't a disappointment.
Slash pulled in a lot of favours with this album, calling in artists such as Ozzy Osbourne, Fergie (yeah I questioned it too), Dave Grohl and old band mate Duff McKagan, but all this seems to have done is focus the music even more.
Opening the album with 'Ghost', you're immediately struck by a bluesy but dark guitar riff leading naturally to the entrance of the drums and vocals. The song is by no means the best on the album but certainly sets the tone. 'Crucify the Dead' featuring Ozzy is next - a song which is as comfortable on this album as it would be on a Ozzy solo record. 'Beautiful Dangerous' with Fergie was the song I was most looking forward to having heard what she did to 'Paradise City', unfortunately I couldn't find fault in this track either. Her vocals combined with Slash playing some fast riffs combine to form an almost GnR like sound, it still strikes me how well it works now! The fourth track 'Back From Cali' is another kettle of fish though. This song demonstrates why Slash is such an accomplished guitarist and Myles Kennedy such a sought after vocalist, it's quite simply stunning and will have anyone singing along by the time they're half way through the track. Other highlights include 'Watch This', an instrumental track featuring Dave Grohl and Duff McKagan and the accoustic version of 'Fall to Pieces' with Myles Kennedy - both of which I've listened to countless times since getting my mits on the album.
So the verdict - don't go out and get this if you want to hear a new GnR's album or the new sound of Velvet Revolver, go out and get this if you want an album featuring accomplished musicians that you'll want to listen to over and over again.
I don't think there are many people in the world who aren't aware of the top hat toting, cigarette smoking guitarist, formerly of Guns N Roses, Slash's Snake Pit and Velvet Revolver so this album was highly anticipated. This is the first time we've been offered a sample of the music Saul Hudson can produce without a big band name behind him - and it isn't a disappointment.
Slash pulled in a lot of favours with this album, calling in artists such as Ozzy Osbourne, Fergie (yeah I questioned it too), Dave Grohl and old band mate Duff McKagan, but all this seems to have done is focus the music even more.
Opening the album with 'Ghost', you're immediately struck by a bluesy but dark guitar riff leading naturally to the entrance of the drums and vocals. The song is by no means the best on the album but certainly sets the tone. 'Crucify the Dead' featuring Ozzy is next - a song which is as comfortable on this album as it would be on a Ozzy solo record. 'Beautiful Dangerous' with Fergie was the song I was most looking forward to having heard what she did to 'Paradise City', unfortunately I couldn't find fault in this track either. Her vocals combined with Slash playing some fast riffs combine to form an almost GnR like sound, it still strikes me how well it works now! The fourth track 'Back From Cali' is another kettle of fish though. This song demonstrates why Slash is such an accomplished guitarist and Myles Kennedy such a sought after vocalist, it's quite simply stunning and will have anyone singing along by the time they're half way through the track. Other highlights include 'Watch This', an instrumental track featuring Dave Grohl and Duff McKagan and the accoustic version of 'Fall to Pieces' with Myles Kennedy - both of which I've listened to countless times since getting my mits on the album.
So the verdict - don't go out and get this if you want to hear a new GnR's album or the new sound of Velvet Revolver, go out and get this if you want an album featuring accomplished musicians that you'll want to listen to over and over again.
