Review | Slash: Slash

Slash

Slash (born Saul Hudson) hit the jackpot with Guns N’ Roses in the late 80’s, and for awhile they were the biggest rock band in the world, until they imploded. Substance abuse, ego’s, money and musical differences, all the typical things that have plagued and destroyed so many bands before them quickly took Guns N’ Roses out of the game almost as fast as they exploded onto the music scene. Slash emerged out of the ashes of the Gunners disaster as one of the top rock guitarists of his generation. He quickly learned that lightning doesn’t strike twice very often in the rock music business, especially in the form of Slash’s Snakepit, his first solo effort that was moderately successful at best. Then with Velvet Revolver his next band, the thunder clouds started to form and lighting did strike again, but only briefly. Unfortunately Slash hooked up with another singer in Scott Weiland who had his share of problems with drugs and addictions and abruptly left Velvet Revolver leaving the band without a vocalist and Slash without a band.

New Slash Solo Record

I know ‘Slash‘ due out April 6th, 2010 is being touted as the first true solo record from Slash, but I’m not so sure. This is more of a Supergroup on steriods. A wise business decision on Slash’s part to align himself with current popular vocalist’s from varying genres, Fregie, Rocco DeLuca, Adam Levine and iconic rock singers like Ozzy Osbourne, Iggy Pop and Lemmy to attract as large an audience as possible. I’m not saying that is such a bad thing but with such distinguishable voices like Ian Astbury, Andrew Stockdale, Ozzy Osbourne, Iggy Pop and Lemmy it really sounds like one of their songs with Slash playing guitar. This record doesn’t really set Slash apart from anything he has already done or establish him as a solo artist, just more of a guitarist collaborating with other established musicians. I’m curious who wrote the lyrics and vocal melodies, did Slash or did the vocalist on each song do that part of the writing? And how will he support this record with a tour, who will sing these songs live? I do find it interesting that my favorite track on this record has no singing, it’s the instrumental song titled ‘Watch This‘ with Dave Grohl drumming and Duff McKagan on bass. Slash has certainly matured and mellowed since his days with Guns N’ Roses, Snake Pit and Velvet Revolver and has himself gotten clean and sober and this record reflects that. I’m not saying Slash has to do drugs to be good, it’s just that this record does  not have the fire and attitude from his younger days. Nothing on ‘Slash‘ is truly inspiring, ground breaking or innovative, again very safe.

Now that being said, the record is brilliantly produced and contains some well written songs that cover a wide variety of styles from hard rock to soulful. ‘We’re all Gonna Die‘ is a cool tune with Iggy Pop singing and Slash cranking out some big power chords. Myles Kennedy sings his ass off on ‘Back From Cali‘ and ‘Starlight‘ and ‘Nothing to Say‘ featuring M. Shadows boarders on metal. The only thing is, I guarantee you in years to come it will be tough for the unknowing ear to tell if these are Slash songs or an Ozzy Osbourne song, or Cult song, or Wolfmother song, only time will tell. I believe Slash took the safe road here and was not willing to put himself out there with a true Slash solo record that would establish his own sound and style. A record that when heard, people would know this is Slash.

Rating: 3 out of 5 Stars

Favorite Track: Nothing To Say

Track Listing: Slash

One Response to “Review | Slash: Slash”

1. tom says:

   October 20, 2010 at 4:09 am

   Slash is pretty much the coolest guy ever, kind of just like a hero of mine. Thanks, cool stuff!