Former lead guitarist of GN’R, SLASH, unloads one of the most vibrant Rock N Roll guitar performances heard in the past decade with ‘Slash’ – sending out some seriously good rock vibes for 2010. This is one smashing debut solo album. I would agree with everyone else right now and say that this is the ‘must-hear’ hard rock record of 2010. For a true ‘Rock Junkie’ like myself, ‘Slash’ opens up the vein with some of the most inspired songwriting of his legendary career. How any critic can say that ‘Slash’ the LP is absolutely “not a lead guitar solo record” blows my mind. Although, yes, it is certainly not Yngwie Malmsteen shred-your-face 80’s guitar wizardry… don’t get things wrong: Slash can still blaze the six strings with more gusto than just about anyone on the planet.
Every single note played from the start of “Ghost” (feat. Ian Astbury & Izzy Stradlin), you are taken right back to the great Guns N’ Roses glory days with the bluesy go-for-broke fret burning that only Slash can truly muster. It’s worth mentioning track five’s “Promise”. This gem finds SOUNDGARDEN great Chris Cornell cranking out one of the truly great Rock vocal performances in modern history. I ain’t gonna lie about it. Right out the gate, ‘Slash’ showcases some of the top names in the Rock world, such as OZZY, Lemmy, Myles Kennedy and a bunch more. How could a music lover not go crazy for this record? My personal favorite comes when Dave Grohl makes his appearance on track nine’s “Watch This”, also with Ex-GN’R bass great Duff McKagan. The guitar solo here is scary. It is totally Hendrix-influenced and offers us Slash wailing away in utter Rock perfection. I even – surprisingly enough – found myself digging track eleven’s “Nothing to Say” with M. Shadows of AVENGED SEVENFOLD. All in all, I give ‘Slash’ a perfect score for a debut solo record. The last rocker pairs together Slash with Iggy Pop for “We’re All Gonna Die” and all I can say is that Axl is the one really losing out by not jamming with this guitar hero for the ages. ‘Slash’ is simply smoking!
ROCKET REVIEW:
[starreview tpl=16] SLASH – “Slash” (CD)
EMI (United States)
Universal Music (Japan)
Roadrunner Records (Europe)
Sony Music (Australia)
1. “Ghost” (feat. Ian Astbury & Izzy Stradlin) 3:34
2. “Beautiful Dangerous” (feat. Fergie) 4:35
3. “Crucify the Dead” (feat. Ozzy Osbourne & Taylor Hawkins) 4:04
4. “Back from Cali” (feat. Myles Kennedy) 3:36
5. “Promise” (feat. Chris Cornell) 4:41
6. “By the Sword” (feat. Andrew Stockdale) 4:50
7. “Gotten” (feat. Adam Levine) 5:05
8. “Doctor Alibi” (feat. Lemmy) 3:07
9. “Watch This” (feat. Dave Grohl & Duff McKagan) 3:46
10. “I Hold On” (feat. Kid Rock) 4:10
11. “Nothing to Say” (feat. M. Shadows) 5:27
12. “Starlight” (feat. Myles Kennedy) 5:35
13. “Saint is a Sinner Too” (feat. Rocco DeLuca) 3:28
14. “We’re All Gonna Die” (feat. Iggy Pop) 4:30
http://www.slashonline.com/
Oh I remember the GNR albums, he actually did very good that days, in fact I still think that solos were from the deepest places from his heart.
But saddly has the supernovas die in a blink of an eye, thats what happened to him, I think he forgot to push a little more, to cry more, I spend almost 20 dollars on an album that doesnt have spirit, he dedicated too much to make something trully commercial without putting a peace of hear (actually there are some parts of solos that sound good) but saddly Im very very dissapointed, he was my Idol when I was young, but now its seem he forgot to make music, now looks more interested in money than music.
I know most of you will hate my words, but this is what I think and no one can change that, other than a second album totally created from his heart.