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 BluesDamn, 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 MachineI 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 SongWickedly 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.
SpectacleSounds 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 PiecesDidn'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!
HeadspaceProbably 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!
SuperhumanStarts 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 FreeAn 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 RightWithout 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.
SlitherEnough has been said about this song. Loved it when I first heard the El Rey version, still love it now. Nuff said.
Dirty Little ThingAnother 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 AlienTwo 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!
Oh yeah, I bought the black cover. It comes in a normal jewel case, but has a cardboard sleeve slip case over it. The cardboard cover shows the girl with the gun in her holster, but the actual booklet inside shows her with the gun pulled out.