Artist: Velvet Revolver
Title: “Contraband”
Label: RCA Records
Release: June 8, 2004
Genre: Hard Rock
Rating: 8/10
Fans for years have longed for Guns N’ Roses to get back together, they wanted it, but it will most likely never happen when along comes the super group Velvet Revolver. Velvet Revolver formed in 2002 and brought together ex Guns N’ Roses members Slash on guitar, Duff McKagan on bass, and Matt Sorum on drums. They also brought in Dave Kushner (Wasted Youth, Dave Navarro) to play on second guitar and after a long search found their frontman none other than Stone Temple Pilots, Scott Weiland on vocals. This album grabbed instant attention and massive touring for the band and earned this album a spot as one of the most successful albums in 2004.
With Slash’s signature guitar sound, this sounds just as good as any Guns N’ Roses record with Weiland’s vocals that work pretty well with the overall sound of the band. “Fall To Pieces” was an instant classic with the band, a little slower than most of the other songs but heartfelt. They then continue, with a killer track “Set Me Free” upholding the undeniable fact that these guys rock. “Dirty Little Thing” and “Slither” were both released as singles and did very well in the charts. This record has no down time, great songs, great traditional playing style by Slash and well delivered vocals from Weiland. Remember when “Appetite for Destruction” came out and blew everyone away as Guns N’ Roses debut album, well Velvet Revolver’s “Contraband” is just as good, but with a more sophisticated sound but with that traditional rock grit that set them apart from everything else on the radio. If you haven’t gotten this yet, pick up your copy! For fans of Stone Temple Pilots, Guns N’ Roses and anyone who loves a pure rock record.
Track Listing:
1. Sucker Train Blues
2. Do It For The Kids
3. Big Machine
4. Illegal I Song
5. Spectacle
6. Fall To Pieces
7. Headspace
8. Superhuman
9. Set Me Free
10. You Got No Right
11. Slither
12. Dirty Little Thing
13. Loving The Alien
Official Website: http://www.velvetrevolver.com