Contraband (Parental Advisory) [Digipak] [PA] - Velvet Revolver > Reviews > Goes So Fast Your Wings Won't Hold

Author's product rating:   

Originality	Average
Lyrics	Sublime
Quality and consistency of tracks	Flawless
How does it compare to the artist's other releases	Outstanding
Value for Money	Excellent

Advantages:	Insane guitar, great songwriting, good vocals
Disadvantages:	Very few indeed

Recommend to potential buyers:

yes

Full review

I've never been that great a fan of Guns n Roses, so when it was announced that their drummer Matt Sorum, bassist Duff, and of course incredible guitarist Slash had formed a new band under the name of Velvet Revolver, I didn't exactly jump at the opportunity to rush out and buy it.

However, several months passed, and I found myself browsing the shelves in HMV for the album, after being told by several friends of similar taste that it was well worth the album.

I have to say that it was possibly one of the best 10 pounds I ever spent in my life. This album isn't really ground breaking in originality, and probably doesn't contain any songs that are going to be remembered in 20 years time, but by god it's fantastic. Nearly every track is superb in songwriting quality and music playing quality, and Slash's guitar, coupled with Duff's brilliant riffs, topped off by the impressive vocals from Scott Weiland, make for a fantastic sounding record that you'll find yourself listening to again and again.

Contraband opens with 'Sucker Train Blues', a great fast paced rock track, driven by a fiery bass line, with some top quality lyrics and vocals thrown in.

'Do It For The Kids' opens with Scott's 'Went to fast I'm outta luck and I don't even give a F***!' before throwing itself into the main track, which doesn't quite match the opener, but still keeps the pace high.

Third track on the album is 'Big Machine', one of the many highlights of the album, another track driven by a terrific bass lick, whilst Scott preaches how we're 'all slaves to a big machine'.

'Illegal i Song' opens with a great drum fill before being thrown into a frenzy of guitar and great snare work from Matt Sorum. Like all the tracks it contains a superb solo from lead guitarist Slash, and Scott is at an all time high with his voice.

The tone is brought down to a more melodic level at track number six 'Fall To Pieces', containing some interesting high bass playing in the intro, and a real grand, epic feel throughout, with a superb guitar riff to top it all off. The solo is incredible, and yet again lead singer Scott doesn't fail to impress.

'Headspace' picks up the pace once again with one of the best guitar and bass lines in the album, and as Scott yells 'Free my mind, levitate, don't let any of those f***ers in my headspace', you know you're onto a winner.

I'm not a great fan of track 8 'Superhuman' although it does boast a good guitar line. However 'Set Me Free' is much better, throwing itself in at break neck pace, never stopping for breath until the final bar.

But the best thing about this album is the last three main tracks, possibly THE most impressive trio of songs I've ever seen on an album. 'Slither' wins the prize for best riff, a superb bass and guitar line opening after the intro, with some great vocals. 'Dirty Little Thing' is certainly one of my favourites, with a superb chorus. The album closes with 'Loving the Alien' in my opinion the best track on the album. Like 'Fall to Pieces', this is more melodic than the others, containing a superb guitar line and some of the best vocals on the album.

The bonus track of 'Bodies [Live]' is also good.

All in all this is superb. It isn't pretentious, doesn't try to be anything it's not, just offers a superb selection of songs that you'll rock out to again and again. Certainly worth it, even more hardcore of rock fans.