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CD reviews

Contraband

Velvet Revolver - Contraband Audio CD

A fair review of the Velvet Revolver "Contraband" Audio CD. Please note that the below review is the views of the authors, and authors only. You can get a complete list of all Velvet Revolver reviews here, or go back to the Velvet Revolver tabs.

Band: Velvet Revolver
Title: Contraband
Rating:

Release Date: 2009-09-01
Media: Audio CD

Tracks: 1: Sucker Train Blues 2: Do It for the Kids 3: Big Machine 4: Illegal i Song 5: Spectacle 6: Fall to Pieces 7: Headspace 8: Superhuman 9: Set Me Free 10: You Got No Right 11: Slither 12: Dirty Little Thing 13: Loving the Alien

Great Band!
It is a great cd and I really enjoy it. I have been looking for this cd for a while and finally found it here for a decent price.

For Those Worried About Copy-Protection -- Download It!
And the sound quality is fine, though I'm no audiophile. You can download this whole album for the same price or less, and you don't have to worry about copy protection.

Anyway, about the album: I've been a Stone Temple Pilots fan and I've listened to Guns N Roses' greatest hits album (which is AWESOME), and let me say this: The artists respective bands were much better than this. However this is still a decent album and it definitely has a few catchy songs. I would recomend this album to someone looking to expand their music collection with good music, but not necessarily to someone who's looking for a band that can "define" them like Nirvana did for so many. .

Recycled and Uninspired GN'R Leftovers

The album does have moments of greatness:
The lead single, "Slither" contains a hypnotic bass-line and memorable guitar riff. As a longtime Guns N' Roses fan and casual Stone Temple Pilots fan: the two bands that gave birth to "Velvet Revolver" no one wanted this album to be an instant classic more than me, but sadly this is not the case. "Fall to Pieces" is the most genuine and heartfelt track of the album, and "Set Me Free" is the most developed 'rocker' with a sizable attitude in tow.

But besides a few moments of greatness, Contraband feels more like a set of recycled and uninspired GN'R leftovers. The album isn't particularly well mixed which wouldn't be a huge deal if it wasn't already bogged down by a myriad of problems such as it's convoluted structure, lackluster Slash riffs, poorly written lyrics, and an uninspiring vocal performance by Weiland. It's got the same amount as excess as "Appetite For Destruction" but without the direction and the unquenchable, hate-filled vocals by iconic front man Axl Rose anchoring the project together.

And that's where the greatest tragedy of this album lies. It feels like it was written for Axl Rose at the helm. Contraband' doesn't do anything to define the 'Velvet Revolver' sound or take the Guns N' Roses sound to a different level. Weiland's vocal performance leaves much to be desired and the poor mix makes Weiland hard to hear and exposes the weak-to-average performances by Slash, McKagan, and Kushner.

What's missing? A better question would be: what isn't missing? Because 'Contraband' has nothing really to say, no direction and no soul, and to many the most important piece: no Axl Rose. The reason this album sold so well would be because so many of us hoped it to BE Guns N' Roses and because it capitalized on a wave of growing nostalgia thanks to VH1 and Vice City. There will be plenty of people telling you why you should listen to this album, but fact is, you don't. It's commendable that there is a band that plays their own instruments in the post-millennium era, but it doesn't mean that what music those instruments produced is any good.

If you're looking for something to tide you over until "Chinese Democracy" or until that supposed (never going to happen) GN'R reunion, this isn't it. Just because it has three former members of Guns N' Roses, doesn't mean it has the same quality of their former band. 'Contraband' is a lot like greasy fast-food. At first you'll feel great about it, but once everything settles and the euphoric effect wears off, it will leave you with wholly unsatisfied with a blistering headache, wondering why you didn't explore different options.

In short, "Contraband" is a chilling and heart-breaking reminder why supergroups are always a band idea, no matter how fantastic and magical they sound. It's hard for a longtime Slash fan to listen to this album and discover how truly average he's become.

-Alex.

Velvet Revolver - Guns Meet Pilots
The band only lasted two albums, but this first one was quite good producing some great sleazy rock n roll. Velvet Revolver is the supergroup that featured several former members of Guns And Roses (Slash, Duff Mcagen, and Matt Sorum) along with former Stone Temple Pilots frontman Scott Wieland. This is a great one to crank on your car stereo. For the most part the material is strong. Slash throws in a lot of grungy guitar and although it gets slightly nu-metal-ish at times there is enough good old school rock n roll to make Guns and Pilots fans happy I think. The album produced several hit single including "Slither" and "Fall To Pieces". The disc does suffer from a bit of a muddy cluttered mix at times which is somewhat distracting. I have to be in the right mood to listen to this album, but at times it is just what the doctor ordered.

The best supergroup of the 21st century
This record is among the finest records of the century, and it's not hard to see why. Velvet Revolver's 2004 debut 'Contraband' proved that supergroups still were a popular concept.

With a personnel of Scott Weiland on vocals (Stone Temple Pilots), Slash on lead guitar (Guns N' Roses), Dave Kushner on rhythm guitar (Danzig), Matt Sorum on drums (The Cult), and Duff McKagan on bass (Guns N' Roses), you know this band's going to rock.

And 'Contraband' is just awesome. Songs like 'Sucker Train Blues,' 'Slither' and 'I Fall To Pieces' are among the best songs of the 21st century, and underrated songs like 'Big Machine' and 'Loving The Alien' are pretty great too.

Overall, if you like Guns N' Roses and/or Stone Temple Pilots, you must check out 'Contraband. ' It's a superb release from a superb band.

Highly recommended. A classic. ENJOY!!!.

You can see a complete list of all Velvet Revolver discography, or go back to the Velvet Revolver tabs. There is also a good guide on how to read guitar tabs here.