I don’t normally do this sort of thing because it’s so time consuming and my inspiration to do so on new releases tends to be mostly absent. Slash‘s solo album was completely the opposite. Since I’ve acquired it with the special issue of Classic Rock, my mind’s been teeming with ideas for a review.
But before I begin, I thought I’d give some background on how much I know and don’t know the artist.
Back in 1991, when the double album Use Your Illusion came out, it took me very little time to become a huge fan of Guns n’Roses. I was 14 and this was my baptising at the altar of Rock n’Roll. A first step in an ongoing discovery in a type of music constantly changing and yet so faithful to its roots. In Gn’R while Axl was the voice of teenage pains, Slash was the man who inspired me to first pick up the guitar and try to be a musician. This too is an ongoing journey and though others have come since to bring me more intense forms of inspiration, Slash remains a rock that keeps rolling like a steamroller shaping new roads.
After the demise of Gn’R (never seen a democracy in China, sorry), I followed on with Slash’s Snakepit, a good project that perhaps could have had more attention and incidentally, the only time I saw Slash live. Velvet Revolver never caught my attention, though having checked them out on Spotify last week, this was perhaps a mistake. Now thanks to social media, Slash is back with an album of his own and the buzz around it reached just the right level for me to be keen to check it out (the long list of guests may have helped 
).
So here it goes, a track by track review of the 15 amazing songs on Slash’s first true solo album.
Ghost:
Guest Artist: Ian Astbury (The Cult) – Vocals, percussion, Izzy Stradlin – Guitars
The line that sticks: Kill the ghost that hides in your soul, Rock n’Roll
Tempo: Medium
If you had any doubts that this was a Rock and Roll album, than this comes as a reminder right from the start. In fact that seems to be the very message of the song, get rid of the doubts, and just play rock and roll. Very cool song.
Crucify the Dead:
Guest Artist: Ozzy Osbourne – Vocals
The line that sticks: Your ego curse you ’till you bled
Tempo: Medium
When you invite Ozzy to sing on your solo album, you end up having a song that sounds like something off the unreleased tracks of Ozzmosis or something. Ozzy claims he wrote this song with Guns and Roses in mind and what happened to their worldwide success. I particularly like the wah solo on there, it gives it a mysteriously fresh flavour
Beautiful Dangerous:
Guest Artist: Fergie (Black eyed peas) – Vocals
The line that sticks: It’s a fine time looking for a wine time
Tempo: Heavy
Not following the R&B scene at all, I’d never heard of Fergie before (hey I’m married, give me a break) so when I contrasted the way she sings in her regular gig and on this song it became obvious that that girl was in the wrong industry. She may be good at what she’s doing but she has one hell of a rock n’roll voice and it’s definitely not wasted on Beautiful Dangerous. In fact it’s so cool, it’s probably my favourite song on the whole album. The feel of the song itself is like a heavy steam machine slowly leaving the station and ploughing through at an increasing rate until it reaches it’s peak and becomes this enormous rollercoaster. It’s definitely one hell of an experience.
Back from Cali:
Guest Artist: Myles Kennedy – Vocals
The line that sticks: You’ll have to carry me back to where I belong
Tempo: Heavy
Strangely I don’t have much to say about this song. It’s enjoyable enough, a song that takes you back to the roots of 80′s rock and obviously great vocals by Myles Kennedy.
Promise:
Guest Artist: Chris Cornell (Soundgarden) – Vocals
The line that sticks: Promise me you won’t let them put out your fire
Tempo: Medium
This song has more of a classic grungy feel to it. Maybe it’s due to Chris Cornell, maybe it’s the regular tempo of it. Not a headbanging giving-you-the-shivers type of song but a good listen.
By the Sword:
Guest Artist: Andrew Stockdale (Wolfmother) – Vocals
The line that sticks: They tried to complicate you, but you left it all behind
Tempo: Medium
As a fencer, I could see this song becoming some kind of hymn, though it lacks a certain something for it to be so. It starts off as a slow country-like tune, only to explode into a heavy riff and the solo half-way through seem to wail for the wounds of those who live by the sword. If you listen carefully, you can hear hordes of horsemen carrying swords riding out into the sunset… or maybe it’s just me, I dunno.
Gotten:
Guest Artist: Adam Levine (Maroon 5) – Vocals
The line that sticks: I can’t save save you if you don’t let me
Tempo: Slow
Gotten is a beautiful melody that strikes a chord in the heart of those who yearn to simply be there for others when they’re caught in someone else’s life
Doctor Alibi:
Guest Artist: Lemmy Kilminster (Motörhead) – Vocals, Bass
The line that sticks: Doctor I ain’t gonna die, just write me an alibi
Tempo: Heavy
Dr Alibi is such a fun song to listen to, have a good listen at the lyrics, you can tell Lemmy had a lot of fun writing them. It’s a definite pure Rn’R song that’s deeply enjoyable.
Watch This:
Guest Artists: Dave Grohl (Nirvana / Foo Fighters) – Drums, Duff McKagan (Gn’R / Velvet Revolver) – Bass
The line that sticks: … err it’s an instrumental
Tempo: Heavy
Okay here’s the kind of feeling this song gives me: I see hordes of alpha males clashing for the domination of their herd / pack and the music reflects this perfectly. The really heavy drums from Dave Grohl just sound like huge antlers clashing in the spring rut, whilst the mix of bass and guitar remind me of growling packs of hounds, sometimes lunging at eachother, sometimes healing their wounds, it’s a tremendous piece of heavy rock.
I Hold On:
Guest Artist: Kid Rock – Vocals
The line that sticks: I hold on because I can’t let go
Tempo: Medium
I’m not sure why but I can’t really seem to find anything peculiar about Kid Rock’s voice that make this song stands out. In fact, I’d say this is probably my least favourite song. Not that I don’t like it, it has great riffs but the tempo and the message aren’t the most appealing of the album.
Nothing To Say:
Guest Artist: M Shadows (Avenged Sevenfold) – Vocals
The line that sticks: Singing our songs from yesterday
Tempo: Heavy
This is probably the heaviest song of the album, full of dissonant chords and heavy riffs, dare I say the only real Metal song. Of course Avenged Sevenfold isn’t exactly playing on the same gounds as the other guests and it comes out in the song. You could almost take your favourite car chase scene from Hollywood and put this tune on top it wouldn’t be unfitting.
Starlight:
Guest Artist: Myles Kennedy – Vocals
The line that sticks: Starlight, don’t you cry, we’re gonna find a place where we belong
Tempo: Slow
Second song with Myles Kennedy and this one is much more rounded than the first one. I particularly like the vocal range Myles uses in this song, it gives it a real heavenly dimension. Yeah I know with a title like that it’s an easy analysis to make but it feels like this to me. And I don’t know why but it feels a wee bit like a Smashing Pumpkins song, that’s probably the voice. One of the best tracks in my opinion.
Saint Is A Sinner Too:
Guest Artist: Rocco DeLuca – Vocals
The line that sticks: I forget now just what I’m supposed to do
Tempo: Slow
What I love about this album is just how many artists I’ve found out about. Listening to this track, you’d think the singer was a woman (I’m not Italian, so it’s not immediately obvious to me what gender Rocco is). Well it turns out to be a guy, and with a wonderful voice too (I guess the same mistake could be done with Axl 
). I love the Spanish guitar flavour that this song has, a very eerie tune.
We’re All Gonna Die:
Guest Artist: Iggy Pop – Vocals
The line that sticks: We’re all gonna die, so let’s be nice
Tempo: Medium
Another really fun song. Iggy says he was thinking of his own mortality when he wrote this song and somehow manages to turn the daunting idea of one’s mortality upside down into something you can joke about.
Baby Can’t Drive:
Guest Artist: Alice Cooper – Vocals, Nicole Scherzinger (Pussycat Dolls) – Vocals, Steven Adler – Drums, Flea – Bass
The line that sticks: If you wanna survive, try and get there alive
Tempo: Fast
This song isn’t actually available when you download the album from the official sources, it’s apparently an exclusive track to the Classic Rock edition. When I first heard it it reminded me of Lost in America but somehow modified to suit 21st century ears… well I guess Slash’s guitar does that. This song is also quite fun and light hearted, full of superstars and ends the album with a typical rock and roll theme: cars.
Having gone through the list of songs, this is what the Classic Rock package looks like: first unopened:
Classic Rock - Slash Collector Pack
And once opened, this is what it contains:
Classic Rock - Slash Collector Edition, contents
The contents include:
- Classic Rock magazine, Slash Collector Edition
- Slash’s solo album exclusive edition
- large 2-sided poster
- Exclusive patch
To answer the question I was once asked, no I have no plans to stick the patch on my denim jacket. Might have when I was 15 but not anymore Not unless something needs patching that is.
So that’s my review, hopefulyl it can help people make up their minds about acquiring the album. If you have any doubts, cast them away now, this album will blow you away!!
Tags: Classic Rock, review, Slash
