lambchops's Full Review: Contraband [PA] by Velvet Revolver
Try as I might I cannot imagine Axl Rose in place of Scott Weiland or the DeLeos and Eric Kretz stepping in for Slash, Duff, Matt Sorum, and Dave Kushner. This speaks volumes for the gritty and hard rocking Velvet Revolver. They are the real deal; an unlikely combination of proven musicians coming together in an era when rock n’ roll is more often than not pretty boy pop n’ roll.
The seeds of Velvet Revolver were planted gingerly with the reuniting of former Guns n’ Roses members Slash (guitar), Duff McKagan (bass) and Matt Sorum (drums) in early 2002. Unfortunately, without a vocalist they couldn’t release much in the way of music regardless of how successful sets were. So they embarked on a quest for a singer and in the meantime ended up with a second guitarist instead (Dave Kushner). There were many auditions but when Scott Weiland (troubled former frontman for Stone Temple Pilots) stepped up to bat there was an instant chemistry—so much so that the band almost immediately recorded a track for The Hulk soundtrack titled Set Me Free.
It was only later that the newly formed rock band became official and adopted the Velvet Revolver name—all in the midst of yet another drug possession bust for Weiland. Before unleashing a new album of new material (Contraband) the band promoted a new single—Slither. It proved popular and the perfect foundation on which to show that there is no question about the continued relevance of the members of the band. This isn’t sweet, sticky, no-guts rock n’ roll; it is the dirty rock I so loved from both STP and GNR. And regardless of whether you like STP or respected their work, there is nothing negative that can be said for Weiland. He is still the quintessential rock vocalist—one of the few currently recording today.
Contraband (co-produced by Josh Abraham & Velvet Revolver) doesn’t come as any surprise to me. It’s loud, it’s fun, and it is exceptionally high quality rock music. Weiland’s growl melds perfectly with the heavier slant of his bandmates—particularly Slash’s bombastic guitar. I’m not sure that had I dreamt a band I could have done any better than these five. I mean come on…GNR meets STP? What’s better than that?!
Like I said, Slither was the lead single but it’s surprisingly buried on this album in the eleventh position. This is a masterful move—listeners will have to take in ten other songs if they are to get there without hitting skip. Plus, it shows that the band has a great deal of confidence in their other material. As it is, Slither is of course a grinding, slow-burning radio ready rock track. The rhythms and melodies are memorable. Though, it is the divine pairing of Weiland’s vocals and yelping with Slash’s usual licks that makes it something original and entertaining.
As much as I do like Slither and despite the fact that I would have purchased Contraband irregardless of reviews, I still love the album. Heck, I think that the strongest moments occur and various points throughout the disc and that Slither is just the time of the tip of the iceberg. Velvet Revolver is intermittently hard and soft. I appreciate the fact that they aren’t afraid of neither the occasional guitar solo nor do they shy away from showing emotion now and again. Heck, I think that the band sometimes shines most brilliantly at these moments of vulnerability. Fall to Pieces is a touching, exquisite song unlike anything I’ve ever heard Weiland sing. His voice is reigned in by the delicate, intricate guitar work. It all seems so natural and real. It is at points like this that it almost seems as if the stars meant for Weiland to end up with what remains of GNR. You Got No Right is a slightly psychedelic, wonderfully textured selection. It’s not as sure footed as some of the other offerings in that the guitars aren’t as pointed and the drums aren’t as pointed—but it’s still an incredible song and shows great restraint. Oh yeah, and Slash gives a great guitar solo performance toward the end. How I miss the days of the gratuitous guitar solo. The last of this ilk is the touching album ender Loving the Alien.
Like I said, there are two personalities to Velvet Revolver. On one hand, they show some amount of vulnerability but on the other hand on songs like single Slither they possess the power and ability to truly rock the joint. I get the feeling that all five members of the band were looking to pay homage to the rock gods of the past while carving out a new, more comfortable niche. I like it quite a lot to be honest. From the opening droning notes of Sucker Train Blues on, I am impressed by pretty much all of the material. Do It for the Kids is definitely one of my favorites. Heavy-hitting dueling guitars work wonderfully—plus, I can’t help but sing and jump along to Weiland yelping Went too fast I’m out of luck and I don’t even give a f*ck.
Big Machine puts Sorum’s drums at the forefront while Weiland chants in the same fashion as classic STP track Unglued. In fact, if you were to amp that song up and add significantly louder elements you would have Big Machine. Indeed there are songs that hearken back to both STP and GNR. Big Machine, Headspace, and Superhuman all are reminiscent of sound and pace popularized by STP. Classic Guns n’ Roses style on the other hand is well represented on tracks including album opener Sucker Train Blues in addition to Spectacle, Set Me Free and Dirty Little Thing.
It is clear based on these songs where that all parties involved had a great deal to do with shaping the sound of their respective prior bands. It may not all be innovative, but there is zero question that Velvet Revolver’s Contraband is an excellent example of modern hard rock. There is so little available in rock n’ roll that makes me this happy. Contraband is as much as I’d hoped for—nothing more and nothing less.
Rating: 4/5 stars
Track Listing:
01. Sucker Train Blues
02. Do It for the Kids
03. Big Machine
04. Illegal i Song
05. Spectacle
06. Fall to Pieces
07. Headspace
08. Superhuman
09. Set Me Free
10. You Got No Right
11. Slither
12. Dirty Little Thing
13. Loving the Alien
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Band members are SCOTT WEILAND of Stone Temple Pilots, SLASH of Guns N Roses, DUFF of Guns N Roses, MATT SORUM of Guns N Roses and The Cult, DAVE KUSH...More at Buy.com Marketplaces
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