Post your own Contraband review here

[Naupis]

I frankly think the melody of FTP is one of his best ever, the song itself could have been a little better with more production and whatnot, but the melody itself Slash came up with easily one of the better ones he has ever done. I think its brilliant, and it is really catchy. Not complicated, but it just kind of pulls you in.

[Booker Floyd]

How can anyone say it was better than they expected.
Slash compared  fall to pieces (I think it was that song) with nov rain and it was not even close.

Dave making shit up again...?    I cant believe it...

Please find the quote in which Slash compared "Fall To Pieces" to "November Rain".  In the meantime, you should probably correct your post.

Where can I get my hands on Chinese Democracy the album?

He was talking about the VR album.

[Peppi]

I?ve just bought my copy today. I?ve listened to the songs severall times on MTV.com the last few days, but especially the harder ones are great if you hear them in good quality and if you pump up the volume!!! The album is absolutley amazing. With every listen it get?s better. So just buy it and enjoy it!

[gypsy eyes]

Bought Contraband yesterday (yeah it's officially not in stores yet, not even here, but I know the guy who has this underground recordstore and well... I did a lot to be first to get it ) Anyway... I'm disappointed, VERY disappointed!

I didn't hear any of it before, not even Set Me Free or anything - lil prob with my soundcard so I couldn't listen to any of it on my computer so apart from hearing Slither once on TV I really didn't know what to expect and I honestly say that I was open to all directions they wanted to take it... I like Slither and I thought they said it was so rock n' roll, hard long solos, giving the new generation a kick in the head... but where you get that effect?

It's not hard enough to be really hard, it's not bluesy and soft enough to be blues based, I expected a lot more input from Slash and Duff! Where on earth is the rock n' roll man??

Scott's vocals...well... I'm not much of a scott fan but hey, honestly now, the man doesn't capture it, there's just something missing in the vocals! Ok, he's no Axl Rose and I wouldn't want him to be either but his voice is just awful... when you listen to the music, the music alone, and you think what another singer could have done with it...  And then I'm not even mentioning how "deep" the lyrics are... Are this really five guys who lived for forty years and seen every aspect of life, went to hell and back??
My dog can write better than that!

The producer deserves the chair! Really! VR helped producing well they got more experience than that, they should know how to do the job right! It's not that bad of a record but with a better production you could have gotten so much more out of it!

Now the solos... oh god help me! I got it yesterday and I stayed up all night, listening to it on repeat, I tried to pure out the guitar parts (I'm a guitarist, I often do that, buying books with tabs just goes over my budget ) and the solos but I can't... cause there aren't any!!! Come on, this is Slash man, the man can play like he was Jimi Hendrix' son for god sake and he plays like it's the first time he holds a guitar, why not put him on drums while you're at it?? That's prolly the biggest disappointment of all, the lack of solos  

It's not a bad record, that's not it, but they can do so much better I'm sure, I know their other work, not just guns, and I have to say that Contraband is the second least favorite of all! Slither is good and You Got No Right is really good, I'm serious, it's definitely the best song!!! But even there...  

It just doesn't rock enough... not that there aren't enough "rockers" on it but they don't rock, it's not hard! Duff can create such a strong hard sound, Matt has amazing basslines and the two are a great couple, Slash is only one of the best guitarists alive! Scott I personally don't like but even in sTp he's better than here The only one I can be positive about is Dave... I don't know any of his former work (apart from Loaded but that's not "really" Dave   ) but here he's actually the best of all five, at least he gives it all he's got, wish I could say that about the others too... It sounds like they were so eager to get back together and play that they overlooked making a record that really rocks! I think if they took a little more time and put some more effort into it it'd be a hell lot better! The potential is there, you can here that, but it's like a diamante in the rough... it just doesn't sparkle  




(ok, I dunno what the rest thinks about it, sorry if I'm the only one here who isn't all excited about it, I actually didn't read the other posts, too tired (hey man, I been up all nite remember? ) but I'm gonna now... hope there are others who feel the same way or I'll get shot here )

[Eazy E]

Well I couldn't get the MTV leak to work on my comp, so I went out and downloaded a leaked version of the album with good quality.  I heard the shitty versions off the Chilean radio station, but they just weren't doing it for me.  I think some opinions will improve after hearing these songs at CD quality with the volume at 11.

Anyways, it's impossible for me to say that I dislike this album, because I've been listening to it non-stop for the past 3 days.  I haven't warmed up to a few songs (Superhuman, Spectacle, Dirty Little Thing), mainly because I haven't given them a chance yet, I've been too busy listening to all the other great shit.

I don't know where all the disappointment is coming from, or what you people were expecting... but this CD rocks.

My favs: The ballads, Do it for the Kids, and Headspace.

[grumpy young man]

I will definitely give this album more than a few chances to stick with me but It's pretty much what I expected, which is disappointing.

Remember the Pottery Barn if you broke it, you bought it. If you downloaded it and enjoyed it or listened to it a few times you better be buying it. Dont be cheap

Hmmm...interesting.  But how about this? ...You not telling me what to do.

I believe this thread was about the album, Contraband, by the band, Velvet Revolver....not me and my financial obligations.  

[metallex78]

Ok here's my Contraband review!

Like most everyone here on the boards, after first listen, my favourite songs on the album were the two singles - Set Me Free, Slither, and the ballads, but now the rockers have really grown on me.

Sucker Train Blues
Damn, could the album start any better??? I think not!
The riff that kicks in after the slow build up sounds like the one of heavy rockers straight off either UYI album. Scotts vocals chime in and sound reminicent of Garden of Eden and later turn into layered harmonies. Short but killer Slash whammy bar solo. A nice taste of what's to come.

Do It Fot The Kids
"Went too fast I'm out of luck and I don't even give a fuck!" Processed vocals like something you'd hear on a NIN album spoken by Trent himself. Turns into another riff-fest and one of the first big, catchy choruses with more cool hamonies. Sprinkles of Slash's leadwork throughout the song and a cool solo.

Big Machine
I don't care for the lyrics in the song, but that riff going on in the background of "It's a Big Machine, It's a Big Machine" won't leave my head. Probably my least favourite song, but still pretty cool.

Illegal I Song
Wickedly fast drumming intro and overall the song has a Jane's Addiction vibe - both the music and Scott's vocal delivery. Another catchy chorus filled with gorgeous vocals. Cool Slash solo too.

Spectacle
Sounds like the riff from Metallica's Fuel, but slowed down to an almost country-like twang, before it turns into even more cool vocal harmonies!
Slash'solo is longer and it's good, but nothing that we haven't heard before.

Fall To Pieces
Didn't think much of this at first listen, but I f**king love the song now. Could sit alongside any of the ballads on UYI. Sounds like an improved version of Back & Forth Again. It didn't show it's full potential with Snakepit, but with VR it has!

Headspace
Probably my favourite rock song on the album at the moment, such a f**king cool groove. More Jane's Addiction similarities and that's a really good thing.
I really dig all of Scott's vocals in the choruses. They really have a way of creeping into your head and you can't get them out!

Superhuman
Starts with a riff that sounds like the Sweet Child riff put through a blender and spat out 2004 style. Band kicks in and joins in on the groove based off the intro riff. And the chorus has gorgeous layered Alice In Chains harmonies as if Layne was there in the studio with Scott!

Set Me Free
An improvement on the already cool song from the Hulk soundtrack. This version sounds a little rawer and the bass and drums are harder and more prominent in the mix. Scott does some added vocals at the end of the song.

You Got No Right
Without a doubt, VR's shining moment on Contraband. Sounds like the Beatles in their prime and Slash's solo just proves why millions of guitarist aspire to being like the guitar god he is. You can really feel Scott's pain. This song is my new Estranged.

Slither
Enough has been said about this song. Loved it when I first heard the El Rey version, still love it now. Nuff said.

Dirty Little Thing
Another fast paced rocker much like Sucker Train, in fact it starts almost exactly the same and the vocal delivery is the same on the verses as it is in Sucker. Really cool chorus and probably the best Slash solo of any of the rock songs on here.

Loving The Alien
Two words: Pink Floyd. Very f**king cool. Really nice closer for the album. I can just picture the lighters swaying in the air when VR play this live.


All in all, this is not what I was really expecting, but after repeated listens you can't get the chorus melodies out of your head.
Scott, who I originally thought was the weak point if the band, actually saves allot of the songs with his choruses and harmonies. That may or may not be everyone's cup of tea, but give this album a chance to grow on you!

I'd probably give the album an 8 out of 10. Very nice first effort VR!

[sl@sh]

this album has to win a grammy!

its got great i meany very very great melodies and great rock songs.
look how fast they made this album. when you listen to it it sounds like they took 3 to 4 years comming up with these songs(ballads)

just think how insane their next album will be when they take like 2 yeras to make!

november rain is nr nothing can touch it but man  ftp, ygnr(best slash solo on this album) Lta. ballads that were missing from rock&roll for the last 10 years! are on this album!

great job VR. rock on!

[matt88]

Holy Shit!

This album fuckin rocks, i was a little dissapointed but what i got was a good solid album. I thought it was gonna be better after all the hype but i still love it.

My favorite straight away were, Slither, Do it For The Kids, Superhuman, Fall To Pieces and Loving The Alien.

Scott's vocals are better than i thought they would be. Though in some songs his voice is a little to low.

I can't believe it i waited since the start for this band and they've produced the goods. I dint give into temptation and listen to any of the songs on the net after Slither came out.

VR FUCKIN ROCK

[Old Man In Chains]

I have listened to the album on VH1 probably 10 times now.  I liked it from the get go, but it does get better with each listen.  Have had at least 6-7 songs stuck in my head.  The standout tracks for me are:
1) Loving the Alien - Great ballad, very emotional, great guitar work.  Reminded me a little of a Radiohead song, but in a good way.  Got me on the first listen.
2) Headspace - Best rocker IMO.  Awesome riff, kind of Soundgardenesque.  Great chorus, some of Scott's best lyrics.
3) Illegal i - Very punk influenced rocker.  The verses kind of sound like Fugazi to me.  
4) Fall to Pieces - I agree with some that this song is a little generic, but it is still a great ballad.  Excellent guitar work, good solo.  The lyrics may not be that deep and little repetitve, but they come off as heart felt  - some of Scott's best singing.  
5) You Got No Right - Another good ballad, great solo.
Other highlights:
    Solos in Sucker Train, Spectacle and Dirty Little Thing
    "Rodeo, rodeo ... noose" line in Superhuman
    Main riff in Big Machine -  very heavy grunge like riff
Lowlights:
  The talking parts in some of the songs remind me of some of the overproduce nonsense on UYI.  
  Some of Scott's lyrics are repetitive and at times seem to make no sense whatsoever.

Overall, great record.  Surprised how little it sounds like STP or GNR.  Definitely has its own sound.  Filtered best elements of 80s hard rock through Soundgarden, Alice in Chains, Jane's Addiction with a little Metallica and some old school punk to make something unlike anyhting on the radio at the moment.  9/10

[triple]

1. suckertrain blues 1/5 - boring
2. do it for the kids 1/5 - boring
3. big machine 1/5 - boring
4. illegal i 1/5 - boring
5. spectacle 1/5 - boring
6. fall to pieces 2/5 - maybe will grow on me soon but i dont think a song is good when i need time to start liking it
7. headspace 1/5 - same as first 5
8. superhuman 1/5 - ditto
9. set me free 2/5 - kinda like it but scotts vocals are killing it
10. you got no right 1/5 - garbage
11. slither 3/5 - best song imo but it gets only 3 because every time i hear this song it makes me think of scott in that video
12. dirty little thing 1/5 - whatever
13. loving the alien 2/5 - well ok

overall i give it 1.5/5, its basically garbage, like listening to a cky record or something, i've listened to it 3 times and dont want to touch it again

[yagami1gnr]

ok here's my review of  Contraband, after listening the album via VH1:

First of all, is true that the sound doesn't make justice to the songs, but is also true that you can grasp the songs at 75 or 85 % of its totality( quality wise.)

1. Sucker Train. 2/5 (Some nice riffs, good ideas, but nothing else; if somebody had made me listen that solo and tell me it was Slash, I would have not believed. In the side note to the poster who said that this song reminded him of Nightrain,well good for you.)

2.Do it for the kids 2.5/5 (At first let me know that I previewed 30 sec. of the song before (good quality) and I thought that this song was a standout for VR, but what a disappointment.)

3.Big Machine 1.5/5 (Well what can I tell you, it's the big machine!! Again some good rhythm but that's all)

4.Illegal Song 2.5/5 (I was originally was going to give it two but for the sound that has-made me remember the Matrix - I give it 0.5 more, average song, not really as awesome as many people describe it.)

5.Spectacle 1/5 (Nothing special, actually awful  special mention of that mini-solo in the middle.)

6.Fall To pieces 2.5-3.1/5 (If this was supposed to be one of their best songs, well falls short. It has a good vibe, Slash's solo cannot be listened very well and that's why I give from 2.5 to 3.1. Even if the solo is the greatest solo, it cannot save the song of being flat.)

7.Headspace 3.6/5 (Nice song, At first not into, but maybe in the future can like it
more. Ithas good riffs and a nice vibe)

8.Superhuman 2/5 (Not a good song, nothing catchy at all.)

9. Set me Free 2/5 (Didn't like it before, and now is worse, if I remember SMF didn't have what Scott sings at the end. Nothing special.)

10.You Got No Right 3.9/5 ( One of the standouts of this album, good song and good rhythm. Give hope of what this band can do.)

11.Slither 3.6/5 (What can I say of this song, at first I thought this was one of their weak tracks and for my surprise is a semi good song. I can say that know I  have a better impression of this song. However the video is another story.)

12.Dirty Little Thing 1.5/5 (Not much to say about this song. Kinda dissapointing.)

13.Love the Alien 3.9/5 (The other standout of this album, good song,  good vibe. As YGNR makes you think with more time can do good things.)

Also, If I was to give the album a score it should be 3.2 but that comes influenced because Slash and Duff are on Velvet that's all, otherwise it would got a 2.9.

On the side note, Naupis no matter how many times you listen a song/album you can like something of the song and from there change a bit your opinion. And I have listened many times all the songs and my opinion shouldn't varie  in the future.

Also to all those guys who say that this is the best rock album in ages, why don't listen albums like Battle of the Angels(I consider them rock), Audioslave or even Ain't Life Grand(That in overall is better than Contraband.)

Finally, where are the great solos in the rockers that many people have described, what's the contribution of Mr. Kushner, why some songs sound so similar making less appealing the album.

 

[Rockin' Rose]

Well I've now listened the album twice at mtv and all I can say is the album is good but not excellent.

My opinion is that the album could have been excellent if Scott would have and I'm not compleining here but would have more diversity in his singing,  what makes/made Gn'R truly great is Axl's voice the way he can sing in so many different ways, high voice, low voice and everything between these two.

I'm not saying they (slash, duff, matt) should have gotten someone who sounded like Axl 'cause I'm quite happy with Scott but I just hope he would have more diversity in his singing.

I'm going to give the album 7/10

[speed_stone]

i took a listen to this album through mtv.con (never had any intention of buying it) and i gotta sat that it was even more boring than i expected. i won't say disappointing cause my expectations were below low. the best song was slither. lol @ that. this just proves once and for all that they needed axl rose so bad to have success. not only did he have the right charisme and personality and voice, but he's also a great songwriter. scott weiland has none of that. lol @ this turkey album.

[Imfuckincrazy]

i took a listen to this album through mtv.con (never had any intention of buying it) and i gotta sat that it was even more boring than i expected. i won't say disappointing cause my expectations were below low. the best song was slither. lol @ that. this just proves once and for all that they needed axl rose so bad to have success. not only did he have the right charisme and personality and voice, but he's also a great songwriter. scott weiland has none of that. lol @ this turkey album.

lol @ your stupid post.

[speed_stone]

lol @ you bitches getting all hyped over an album that sucked.

[Imfuckincrazy]

lol @ you bitches getting all hyped over an album that sucked.

lol @ your biased, ignorant ass who can't respect other people's opinions.

Really, grow up. I'm sorry if Mommy and Daddy aren't home to give you attention, but don't come to this board looking for it.

[D]

lol@this turkey album?

what the fuck is turkey?

[ppbebe]

famous for Turkish Delights?

[jarmo]

i took a listen to this album through mtv.con (never had any intention of buying it) and i gotta sat that it was even more boring than i expected. i won't say disappointing cause my expectations were below low. the best song was slither. lol @ that. this just proves once and for all that they needed axl rose so bad to have success. not only did he have the right charisme and personality and voice, but he's also a great songwriter. scott weiland has none of that. lol @ this turkey album.

lol @ your stupid post.

If you don't have anything to add to the discussion other than whining about a post like that, don't post.



/jarmo