Here Today... Gone To Hell!

Here's a review of Contraband from MTV.com.  

I'm more excited than ever about this album!!


http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1485400/20040227/index.jhtml?headlines=true

The odds are stacked against Velvet Revolver. Their singer, Scott Weiland, is currently in drug rehab for the umpteenth time. Who knows if he'll be a free man when it's time to tour, and judging from his past history, it could be a struggle for him to stay clean when the band hits the road.

As for his bandmates ? ex-Guns N' Roses members Slash (guitar), Duff McKagan (bass) and Matt Sorum (drums), and former Suicidal Tendencies guitarist Dave Kushner ? they're ready to rock, but there's some question whether the rock community is ready to embrace them. Over a decade has passed since most of the lineup set stages alight with Guns, and since then the members have embarked on other projects without much mainstream success.

Velvet Revolver are fighting an uphill battle for sure; it's one of the main reasons their music sounds so volcanic. They know they have everything to prove on their debut album, Contraband, which comes out May 18, and they're shouting, "Bring it on!" Even after a single listen, it's clear that Velvet Revolver have met the challenge, creating a punchy, aggressive and uncompromising disc that emanates the hunger and vitality of Appetite for Destruction-era GN'R, back when the bandmembers were wild, wasted and struggling to succeed.

"We're probably more aggressive and angrier than ever," Sorum said. "It's definitely an aggressive, dangerous, sexy rock and roll album."

In some ways Contraband is the sum of its parts. Slash fires off an arsenal of bluesy metal riffs and serpentine solos, McKagan and Sorum lay down throbbing, swaggering rhythms and Weiland sings in a voice that's equal parts rage and pained regret. But while Velvet Revolver conjure the ghosts of Stone Temple Pilots and '80s GN'R, there are lots of other demons at play that drive Contraband, and prevent it from sounding retro.

Kushner provides important counterbalance to Slash's trademark playing, enhancing the songs with layered guitar textures and scratchy post-punk passages that are sometimes reminiscent of Jane's Addiction (before joining, Kushner played in Dave Navarro's solo band). "It doesn't sound exactly like either one of our bands," Sorum said. "There are elements of GN'R, and these vocals sound a little bit like STP, of course, but I mean it ? it's a different album and it's a contemporary record."

The first single, "Slither," opens with brooding bass and gurgling guitar before erupting into a head-bobbing rocker that could be Soundgarden covering STP. Then the chorus kicks in, and Slash picks a familiar distorted guitar lick while Weiland croons an infectious line that'll make for an obvious concert sing-along.

In "Illegal," staccato guitar punctuates the main verse, then drops out for the Beatles-y chorus. On "Set Me Free," which was also featured in the soundtrack to "The Hulk," an angular lick segues into a blazing, decadent guitar line, creating images of a speeding, swerving car on a slick, windy road. The excitement of heightened reality hangs thick, but disaster could lurk around the next bend.

The intensity of the music on Contraband is a selling point, but it's Weiland's personal, heartbroken lyrics that fill the songs with lingering emotion. The guy has had it rough over the past year. He was arrested for drugs, busted for driving under the influence, ordered into rehab and his wife left him. These traumatic experiences resonate in his verse. "I keep a journal of memories, feeling lonely can't leave/ Fall to pieces, I'm falling/ Fell to pieces and I'm still falling," he sings in "Fall to Pieces."

Some songs deal directly with Weiland's addiction. On "Big Machine," he sings, "He's a junkie piece of sh-- because you say so/ All that first-class tough sh-- brings me down, down, down." More of the tunes address his marital woes. "I broke through the ice, she won't be coming back again," he laments on "You Got No Right."

Clearly Weiland hurts and he regrets what has happened to him, but he gives very little indication that he wants to change his lifestyle to win back the things he has lost. Instead, he comes off as cocky and obstinate, condemning the people around him for pushing him into the hole in which he has fallen. For much of the record, he's on the defensive. "Kick the town with broken bones ... Fight now, stand your ground," he sings in "Spectacle." And in "Headspace," Weiland half-boasts, "Through a minefield, build to blast/ Will I make it will I last? ... Free my mind, don't let any of those f---ers in my headspace."

Velvet Revolver's Contraband may not be particularly positive or hip-sounding, but its musical turbulence more than makes up for that. In fact, the friction and candid volatility make it one of the most honest records to come along since Alice in Chains' self-titled final offering. Like that band's late frontman, Layne Staley, Weiland is a gifted but tragic figure whose addictive personality and vulnerability color his music. Only time will tell whether Weiland will be able break the chain and truly enjoy all he has created.



?Jon Wiederhorn

Was that a review of the album or a rant at what a loser Scott Weiland is?

 ::)

Im very glad to see this album recieving such positive press...its recieved unanimous praise from the few who have heard it, and I cant wait to hear it.

The lyrics quoted sound very cool too...

I can't wait for this! it's gonna be GREAT!

not much time for waiting anymore..few weeks and we can listen to new great rock music, which is rare thing nowadays.

As the frontman, he is gonna get scrutinized more than the other members. It's all part of the game.  He did balance it out with some positive comments about Scott.  

I dont care if the reviewer thinks it's not "hip-sounding".  I dont want it to sound like Papa Roach (or whoever is considered hip).  I just want my rock n' roll!  :peace:

If there are preview discs making the rounds...keep your eyes to the sky.  I would imagine that copies of the tracks will be making the rounds sooner rather than later.

I think the review is quite positive. I'm ammped up waiting for this cd. It will be the best day of my life

I admire ur honesty...... :nervous:

It will be a good day - if its any good.

Can't shake the feeling it will be like 'Its 5 o'clock somehwere,' man that was rotten - no wonder Axl was happy to let Slash go.....

But i am hopefull it will be good.

Once again...  ::)

Yeah, it makes a lot of sense to assume that Contraband will sound exactly like a solo side-project done 9-10 years ago, especially one whose weakness was mainly a weak lead singer.

And isnt Aint Life Grand, Slashs most recent full-length, one of your favorites?  Wouldnt it makes at least a little more sense to compare this new album to that.

And youre right, Axl was thrilled to see Slash go.  I mean just look at how Guns N' Roses popularity has sky-rocketed since then. : ok:  

And while were discussing ridiculous statements, I find it odd that would make remarks about somebodys anticipation for this album when you said that, based on less than a handful of songs, Chinese Democracy will no doubt surpass anything the old band has done and that "Madagascar" alone ensures that it will be the best record of the last 10 years... :nervous:

Yeah, youre definitely among the last to comment on ones overzealousness.

Sounds good.  I was hoping it be more UYI era Gn'r sounding, but most prefer Appetite, so that's not a bad thing.  Just hope we won't have any more of Scott's "relapses."  

Booker Hope you dont mind me adding my 2cents here. Also before you start, Yes I will listen to this CD without considering their pervious efforts or try to compare them to the New Guns in any way. I'd like to give this band a fair chance.

On top of that, from the sounds of the review, this is probably the closest thing we will ever get for a while to a decent Rock album. Which is another reason why I'm really looking forward listening to this record.....

All that said, I'm quite disappointed that all through the review, there is not a single song mention that in a way is told to resemble the Guns Days. They talk about Jani's Addiction, SoundGarden, STP, But they never said this song remind u of Guns in UYI or AFD era.

That kindda worries me because we might get a record thats basically STP sounding and that it. Most people here might be disappointed in a way. Hoping to hear ......   U know where I'm going with this...

I'm anxious for Contraband, for sure.

But a couple things here bug me.
#1: I'm a little dissapointed that 'set me free' is on there. I thought it was written for the movie alone. Not that's it's not a decent track, but I thought it was splashed up for that purpose alone.

#2: Sorum: "... and it's a contemporary record". What does this mean? Does it mean we're here for these times, soundwise in an attempt to sound more like todays version of modern rock? Like, GNR shit (most of it, IMO) especially AFD is timeless music, not contemporary.

I'm not saying he should have said it's classic masterpieceish rock material, but in the context he said it in, I don't know what to make of it....

masterpiecish... oh yeah :D

what i dont understand is that people are calling snakepit for slash's solo album.... it was a band just like Velvet Revolver is...

im really looking forward to this album... i think... more than anytoher album ( with exeptions form Chinese Democracy)..

Maybe not a single song, but the following quotes...

"But while Velvet Revolver conjure the ghosts of Stone Temple Pilots and '80s GN'R..."

"...a punchy, aggressive and uncompromising disc that emanates the hunger and vitality of Appetite for Destruction-era GN'R..."

"There are elements of GN'R..."

...in addition to the fact that its Matt Sorum, Duff McKagan, Slash and possibly Izzy themselves ensure there will be some semblance to GNR.

The writer only describes a handful of songs, and if youve read precious articles, you would have seen comparisions such as "Headspace" to "Paradise City" and "Fall To Pieces" to "November Rain".  Personally, I dont care about comparisons to other songs, I care about whether or not the music is good, and every preview/review of this album so far has been enthusiastic and positive.

Also, this isnt GNR, so youll see the obvious elements...Slashs trademark guitar, Duff and Matts arasive rhythm section, and then youll see how it mixes with the new elements - Daves rhythm and Scotts vocals/songwriting for something that is apparently unique and distinctly individual.


Im assuming you have the same reservations about the new GNR album, should it ever surface?  Its likely to sound even less (a lot less) like Guns N' Roses than VR, are you going to point that out should we ever see a Chinese Democracy album preview?

Man, the more I read about this album, the more I can't wait to get it!
I really like hearing that it's an aggressive and punchy album, because that's where I think those guys shine the most - on heavy rock songs, and from the sound of this review, it won't disappoint.

I'm glad to hear "modern" and "contemporary" thrown in there too, because I think regardless of how great AFD sounds, if it was released today, it would sound dated. So I'm glad there will modern elements on this record.

All in all, I think we're in for a great album!

you're right booker....the writer didn't mention a specific gnr song because i think he was implying that the entire album has such a strong gnr influence.

the writer makes a good  point....pressure is on and it's gonna be difficult for them.

so that's a powerful endorsement of the album to say that they met that challenge.

i can't wait!!

I believe about 1 out of every 10 seniors in my school is having a ditch day because of the record. It started out as just a few people but its growing.

Are you serious??  How lucky you are to go to a high school like that!  8)

GunsLova, (my own $.02):
The review was written for a wide MTV audience (Guns fans, STP fans, and people who dont even listen to rock).

So if he had said "This record is the follow-up to UYI", that may sound great to many people, but IMO, it's not something to say about A DEBUT ALBUM from a new band.  

He did write that 'In some ways Contraband is the sum of its parts', so we can expect the Guns influence from Slash, Duff, Matt (& Izzy).

I think his mentioning Soundgarden and Jane's Addiction was to get more people interested in this new band.  He is trying to associate them with other popular bands so that newcomers will check them out.

If you havent' heard "You Got No Right" - do so.  You wont be "disappointed".

I for one am happy words like "contemporary" and "modern" are being used to describe the record.  

I would expect to hear Dave and Slash use some drop D tuning on the guitars, creating  a "thick" sound to correspond with Matt's groove oriented backbeat.  

From what we've heard so far, it looks as though Matt's attitude about keeping things "up to date" has had a positive affect on Slash, steering him away from his sometimes over indulgent UYI era tendencies.  For whatever reason, Slash's guitar work seems extremely focused, no excessive wanking while keeping the energy at high level.

Though I agree with the writer that it will be an uphill battle for the guys, I look very forward watching (and listening) the saga unfold.

 

yeah, everyone will compare to GNR nomatter what.... after all, there are 3 people from GNR there... so i guess some reviewers are taking the whole "Axl isnt there and you sure notice that he is missing"  
if that doesnt happend, it will be the best album in years!  : ok:

We took 8 people to the smashbox show. And i'm sure alot more are gonna be in on the ditch.

You answer is quite fair.

As for the second part of your respond, I donno what to tell you, because regardless of what I say, it will come out as me trying to take Sides with the New Guns...To me Axl's involvement on vocals and as a song writer, has always overshadowed others. Because of that, I admit that seeing CD out in the store will be enough to make me happy even though that might change over time if the music sucks. But  as for VR I'm going in without much of a expectation so far....


Anyways lets not talk about Axl or New Guns. I'm glad the VR album is coming out. Yes I have heard You Got No Right. It is a pretty decent song.  Booker I'm very interested to hear the songs that resemble PC and NR.... May 18th is not that far away  :beer:

I'm starting to thing that what you just mentioned is exactly the reason why they are not talking much about Guns. The comparison will be there regardless. So they are trying to avoid it by mentioning it as little as possible

Concerning VR, I've always thought Slash, Duff and to a much lesser degree, Matt's associations with GNR to be a roadblock
in gaining credibility within the landscape of all things modern rock.  They've done their best to deflect their past and try to gain an identity on their own, an identity that reflects what they are,
a new band.

I hope you guys are right concerning the modern/contemporary issue :peace:

If I remember right. Slash did a solo album with Snakepit while he was still in GNR (?) bringing his own material to play with the musicians he chose...or was there other guys doing also songs to Snakepit?

IMO contemporary is a very positive thing.

the album is gonna sound similar to gnr and stp. but to me, contemporary means it will have a freshness to it - and songs will sound unique.

when AFD came out, that was considered contemporary. they had many influences (zeppelin, ny dolls, etc.), AND they sort of looked and sounded like some hard rock bands of the 80's (just a thousand times better), but you couldn't really label them. AFD was new and fresh sounding.

didn't you?
I thought all high schools were like that, I had an incredibly high absence... ;D

not sure what you are talking about, but i though i heard that slash was gonna make a complete solo album once... singing and playing bass on it.. not sure about the drums though.... but i though that was after the 2nd versions of snakepit. there isnt one snakepitpit song (on the first album anywho) that slash is listed as the only song writer.... i stronlgy disbelieve that he wrote the words to the songs.... maybe he helped on them, but he wasnt the main lyric writer...

I havent seen anyone do that...

Axl isnt even mentioned once in this article... ???

Kiedis, I knew many people like you in high school  :hihi:

Jizzo is really lucky that he has flesh & blood type friends that are GNR/VR fans.  

The only GNR/VR fans I can talk to are you guys - virtual friends!  To me, you only exist on my computer!  :P

But that will all change once VR and GNR get the ball rolling again!

to me this article doesn't sound too aptimistic... sounds like a standart all-star rock album...

I always enjoy your posts Booker, and i am impressed u have been following what i write so closely

Though i feel u r perhaps reading what u what to see in my posts rather than what i say....

My post spoke positively off 'Contraband' and expressed my anticipation for the album, i just admitted to having a small doubt that it would be like 'its 5 o'clock somewhere' but emphasised i was optimistic that wouldn't be the case.

I don't recall making any disparaging remarks about a person anticipating the album, anything i said would have been meant light heartedly. U will be in no doubt when i am actually making a disparaging remark.

And yes i believe based on Madagascar, the blues, Chinese Democracy and OMG that Chinese Democracy the album will surpass anything GNR have done to date (except 14 years). I think the new material is exceptional. If this is, as Axl claims, not even going to be the singles the album will be superb.

You disagree. Fair enough, i too have been reading ur posts and ur...ahem....dislike of the new band has not gone un noticed.

Finally, i am sure Contraband will be an excellent album and will natually be buying it on release date and making it to any tour dates.

That i am a bigger GNR fan than VR fan doesn't mean i dislike VR.

LOL.  Ok.  Sure.  Well, as much as I like some of the new material a lot... NONE of it comes close to being better than GnR's best material.  Not close.  And you chose 14 Years as the best example of GnR too... Holy cack.  Do you actually own any other songs or did you download 14 Years and burn it to CD and call it your GnR collection?

hehe...

Yeah 14 years isn't close to being best GNR material...  ;D

In YOUR opinion

Music is opinion. Your trying to say that if i like those songs i am wrong? What kind of a Nazi are u?

If someone dislikes GNR are they wrong?

Man, u people worry me, u treat music like fact and show a baffling intolerance.

I like those songs. U don't. Neither is wrong.

heey now, don't you go putting me in some category because of one thing I did! ;D

we could only have 15% absence before we flunked so I wasn't away THAT much, didn't flunk anything! ;D