The Guitars on Contraband...

[Thorned Rose]

I think the guitars on Contraband are pretty good after more listens to it. My first impression was a little dissapointed. Probably because I expected every song to have a Sweet Child O' Mine solo in it lol. I do think that David Kushner's guitar overlaps Slash's at times... rarely but in certain songs his guitar is a little too filling.

I like the solos on: Sucker Train Blues, Fall To Pieces, Set Me Free, You Got No Right, Slither, Loving the Alien

My favorite solo on this album is You Got No Right... it has a lot of emotion in it. At first I skipped the song but I listened to it all the way to find a great solo. This isn't an AFD album because it's a Contraband album. Guns N' Roses can't make a Contraband album... why? they can't even make their own...  

Anyways... The solo on Fall to Pieces is so simple and relaxing... it works very well for that song.

Shouts to Dave Kushner..... he's underrated in what he does.

What do you guys feel about the guitars and solos...?

TR

[SunKing278]

This is the best guitar work I've heard on any album in years.  No surprise, since this is the mighty Slash we are talking about here.  He's so fucking badass on this record; All Hail the King!  And I'm very impressed with Dave Kushner's work as well.  

[TyRod Tulip]

What do you guys feel about the guitars and solos...?

The best guitar work I've heard in forever.  Slash is near perfection again, and Kushner is every bit what Izzy was to GNR (playing, not song writing obviously).  Ungodly, really.   The music on CB is top notch.

I love this album for the guitar work alone.  IMO, this is the best album I've heard, cover to cover, since Tools' Aenima.  My addiction to it is growing with every listen.

-TyRod-

[Booker Floyd]

The guitars are great...but I definitely want to see more "typical Slash" on the next album.  More solos, longer solos, etc.

"You Got No Right" has a classic solo.  In fact, theres a lot of great ones - "Slither," "Dirty Little Thing," "Fall To Pieces," "Loving The Alien," "Spectacle," and "Set Me Free" are among the best.  

Before the VR project, Slash talked about doing a solo project with a lot of diverse styles.  And while Id still like to see such a project, it probably wont happen anytime soon, so Id like to see some of those styles in VRs new material.  

[Rebecca Duff Rose]

VR- No-one expected them to be as they are- they are absolutely fantastic- in every way!
They have/are giving these pussy "rock" bands a good kick up the arse!  

[Court Jester]

Slash sounds absolutely great but most of his solos are too short.
VR is much different because in GNR only thing you could hear was Slash he was so loud that it was hard to hear the other guitarist (Izzy,Gilby). But now you can really hear both of them and thats good.

[GNR_Green]

Love the guitars, and the album grows on me the more I listen to it.  Slash is the man responsible for me getting my guitar, he's got the X-Factor.  By this I mean he's not got the repertoir or technique of someone like Steve Vai, but just hits the spot with just about all of his riffs and solos... in otherwords he kicks fuckin ass!

[GNR_Green]

The other thing I was going to say...

I can't wait for the first show to come out on DVD.  I haven't seen anything from VR live yet but I expect Slash adds stuff and improvises/extends his solos a bit live.  They shouldn't be a fraid to do this kind of thing even if it isn't the done thing these days - although I think they should keep it simple as opposed to UYI tour 5 minute solos etc!!  As good as it is it wouldn't suit VR if Slash did his Godfather theme all the time.

[Voodoochild]

I liked Slash work in Contraband. Like Thorned_Rose said, the solos on Sucker Train Blues, Fall To Pieces, Set Me Free, You Got No Right, Slither and Loving the Alien are the best ones. IMO, YGNR is the best VR song and the solo is really amazing.
But I expected more in Kushner's work. I though he could add a little more groove like Izzy did or texture things like Navarro and/or Radiohead. At least, it's that what they said in interviews before the Contraband release. He did an ok job, but not too impressive.
In fact, Slash is the one who impressed me with different textures, licks and sounds. I really liked his guitar work.
About Slash being loud in GNR years, try to listen to AFD and Lies and you'll hear Izzy very well. The mixing in Illusions sucked but in some songs like Back Off Bitch and Don't Damn Me we can still hear his beatiful rhythm guitar.  

[MetaSouL]

It surprises me that Dirty Little Thing hasn't been mentioned, at least in regards to one of the best solos.

~M

[moonlightdrive21]

The guitars as well as the CD is as good as you're gonna get.  If anyone thinks this CD is less than at least good, then I have to wonder if they are biased because they are still swimming up Axl's ass or some other variable.  For example, there is no doubt in my mind that Blabbermouth has some sort of biased against the band for whatever reason.

The riffs on this album are jaw dropping.  I like it form the beginning, but loved it after a few listens. Usually, the best CDs that have the most staying power are the ones that take a few listens to get into.

I'm really shocked when people say they dislike Big Machine, which easily is one of the very best rockers on the CD.  It has the most style and takes the most chnaces.  Since it does not have a hint of the classic Slash and GNR formula, I think some people are more closed minded about it.  It is closer to an STP style.  But the riff is fat and in yoiur face and the vocals are catchy and the changes in the song make it great.

I also feel that Loving the Alien and Headspace are among the very best.  I do like Fall to Pieces, but I it is an 80's like power ballad in some ways - not that I have a problem with that.  LTA is one of the best rock songs ever - talk about an epic song.

One of best things that Scott and the new producer brought to VR is a big fat sound on the riffs.  The riffs are big and meaty sounding.  This was always a complaint of mine for GNR (especailly on the UYI's), which was that the rockers would sound so much better if they beefed up the the riffs.  When I cranked up these rockers, I would feel like I want to lower the treble on my stereo because they often (not always) were bright sounding.  But just so ya know, I am huge GNR fan, especailly the UYI CD's, despite my complaints.

Speaking of mixes, I think Sucker Train Blues could have been a lot better if they mixed it better with the riff up front more.  The intro is fantastic because you get to hear that phenomenal train like riff up front.  But when the vocals kick in. it takes a back seat.  The riff is there in the chorus, but in the background.  But the riff is the best part of this song and needs to be up front more.  Right now the instruments sound muddy.  This is why I think that this song will be ten times better live.  I think it's a great song.

I think Scott Weiland is just an amazing singer.  Yes his voice is great, but his singing ability and judgment is what really makes him amzaing.  His singing can make a good song a great song.  Folks, if we don' have Axl, then we are so lucky to hace Scott.  

Wait until you hear these songs live.  They will shine even more.  If they do the MTV music awards, I am praying that they do a rocker (Headspace?) and not a ballad.  Great rockers always come off better on that show compared with ballads.  

This CD is one of the best guitar rock CD's ever.  So be happy for these guys and for us.  Let's hope Axl can also produce some great music soon with the Axl Rose band (I REFUSE TO REFER TO HIS BAND AS GUNS N' ROSES).

Dave



 

[Voodoochild]

The guitars as well as the CD is as good as you're gonna get.  If anyone thinks this CD is less than at least good, then I have to wonder if they are biased because they are still swimming up Axl's ass or some other variable.  For example, there is no doubt in my mind that Blabbermouth has some sort of biased against the band for whatever reason.

The riffs on this album are jaw dropping.  I like it form the beginning, but loved it after a few listens. Usually, the best CDs that have the most staying power are the ones that take a few listens to get into.

I'm really shocked when people say they dislike Big Machine, which easily is one of the very best rockers on the CD.  It has the most style and takes the most chnaces.  Since it does not have a hint of the classic Slash and GNR formula, I think some people are more closed minded about it.  It is closer to an STP style.  But the riff is fat and in yoiur face and the vocals are catchy and the changes in the song make it great.

I also feel that Loving the Alien and Headspace are among the very best.  I do like Fall to Pieces, but I it is an 80's like power ballad in some ways - not that I have a problem with that.  LTA is one of the best rock songs ever - talk about an epic song.

One of best things that Scott and the new producer brought to VR is a big fat sound on the riffs.  The riffs are big and meaty sounding.  This was always a complaint of mine for GNR (especailly on the UYI's), which was that the rockers would sound so much better if they beefed up the the riffs.  When I cranked up these rockers, I would feel like I want to lower the treble on my stereo because they often (not always) were bright sounding.  But just so ya know, I am huge GNR fan, especailly the UYI CD's, despite my complaints.

Speaking of mixes, I think Sucker Train Blues could have been a lot better if they mixed it better with the riff up front more.  The intro is fantastic because you get to hear that phenomenal train like riff up front.  But when the vocals kick in. it takes a back seat.  The riff is there in the chorus, but in the background.  But the riff is the best part of this song and needs to be up front more.  Right now the instruments sound muddy.  This is why I think that this song will be ten times better live.  I think it's a great song.

I think Scott Weiland is just an amazing singer.  Yes his voice is great, but his singing ability and judgment is what really makes him amzaing.  His singing can make a good song a great song.  Folks, if we don' have Axl, then we are so lucky to hace Scott.  

Wait until you hear these songs live.  They will shine even more.  If they do the MTV music awards, I am praying that they do a rocker (Headspace?) and not a ballad.  Great rockers always come off better on that show compared with ballads.  

This CD is one of the best guitar rock CD's ever.  So be happy for these guys and for us.  Let's hope Axl can also produce some great music soon with the Axl Rose band (I REFUSE TO REFER TO HIS BAND AS GUNS N' ROSES).

Dave

You know we're talkin' about "The Guitars on Contraband...", right?  
And I didn't know that you're opinion is the only truth and the other people who thinks in a different way are biased and "still swimming up Axl's ass". Thanks for the advice, now I'll like this boring song called Big Machine.  
BTW, you need to listen to Estranged and November Rain again before claim that LTA is an epic song.  

[moonlightdrive21]

You know we're talkin' about "The Guitars on Contraband...", right?  
And I didn't know that you're opinion is the only truth and the other people who thinks in a different way are biased and "still swimming up Axl's ass". Thanks for the advice, now I'll like this boring song called Big Machine.  
BTW, you need to listen to Estranged and November Rain again before claim that LTA is an epic song.  

Sorry I offended you, but you obviously have no problem expressing your opinion either.

Ya know it's O.K. to like songs other than GNR songs, and it's even O.K. to think songs other than GNR songs are epic.  

Dave

[Voodoochild]

Sorry I offended you, but you obviously have no problem expressing your opinion either.

Ya know it's O.K. to like songs other than GNR songs, and it's even O.K. to think songs other than GNR songs are epic.  

Dave

I dunno where I wrote that it's not O.K. to like other songs... I like Contraband too, even if some songs like Big Machine are boring.
About LTA, I just don't know how can you use this word to define this song. Just because the slow tempo and you think it's an epic?  

[muggsy]

Slash does'nt do any power solos except on YGNR. However his guitar work is amoung his best since AFD throughout the album.

[RnT]

my 2 words to discribe this album:

SPAGHETTI INCIDENT  


"it?s a good album, but not THAT special like AFD and UYI were"

of course I was not expecting some AFD record, but I?m listening to this album every second and it?s the first thing that come to my head


Slash is the best to create main riffs, and I bet he said this on the studio: "Heyyy maannn.... just click on the "rec" thing right over there and let me make a solo and put this on the record... "  

[Voodoochild]

Slash is the best to create main riffs, and I bet he said this on the studio: "Heyyy maannn.... just click on the "rec" thing right over there and let me make a solo and put this on the record... "  

He actually did that with Snakepit's ALG.  They played at once, like a live album, and added a few rhtyhm guitars later to backup the solos. Sometimes it's cool, but I guess some songs deserves some time to create more melody.
I hope for a better and more elaborate album in the future. Don't have to last a decade like some others...