Now if you haven't heard, Slash has become a big idol in the last five years. Since his days past in Guns N' Roses, he's been apart of many things. From his biography, to Slash's Snakepit, to movies, to Velvet Revolver and eventually a solo album to go with it, Slash has emerged as an artist all his own and not the often overused "former guitarist for Guns N' Roses." Now, twenty-five years after the release of Appetite For Destruction in 1987, he along with the other members of the 90's era of Guns N' Roses, Slash have been inducted into the Rock N' Roll Hall of Fame. It seems fitting that he has released another solo album that I see could be considered a truly great album to the eyes of many, perhaps his best work since Use Your Illusions 1 and 2.
Apocalyptic Love is straight rock n' roll. There's no overuse of piano, no big effects, no cowbell, it's guitar, drums, bass, vocals and the occasional wah wah pedal (and a talk box in the Deluxe Edition). It's Slash at his finest with Myles Kennedy returning as the the sole singer and rhythm guitar to be on the album. Todd Kerns returns from the same tour on bass and backing vocals as well as Brent Fitz. And if what I said earlier doesn't hit, I'll say it again.
It's straight rock n' roll.
And that's what we want to see from Slash and company. But if you compare this to his first solo album, you feel a sense that there is more of a unity or bond between the band members, which they of course did on the last world tour to support the album. That chemistry has transitioned over to this album nicely as each song doesn't disappoint, something that not many albums can be said of, but I may be a bit biased on this of course. I've heard other albums of my favorite artists and I always had that sense of some disinterest in the album at some points, here though each song keeps me going. It seems that with Slash and Myles understanding each other completely of what this album is meant to be.
It at last seems Slash has found a vocalist that knows what they are best at and isn't filled with ego, but I'll keep my fingers crossed just in case.
As for the sound, well of course in each, you get what to expect from the Cat in the Hat. Raw, blues based, heavy distorted rock and roll from his Les Paul guitars. But don't assume that it's the same traditional intro, riff, chorus, riff, chorus, solo, end style. That template is followed, but the way that it's done in various tone in each, different style riffs, different tempos, the songs each have their own feeling to them and each could probably be a single down the line. A key example of this is on possibly the best track called "Anastasia."
You get an acoustic neo classic intro that drives into a symphonic style of guitar riffs with a chorus that is simple, but makes you like you're in a orchestra of rock. Of course the first single "You're A Lie" is a classic Slash style that we take from other songs like "Paradise City," "Slither," or "You Could Be Mine."
However, you really can't say that's the albums top highlight because the entire album gives that Appetite For Destruction or Boston's debut record feeling that every song is amazing in its own way. From the opening track "Apocalyptic Love" to "Bad Rain" to "Anastasia" you just can't help but fall in love with this record, especially if you're a rock enthusiastic or guitar player.
And I of course can't leave out Myles Kennedy completely. He's probably this generations greatest voice. He's been considered to be a part of Led Zeppelin and ironically enough Velvet Revolver back in 2003. Now of course, that did not happen but he seems to have realized that this was an amazing opportunity for him and a second chance to work with Slash. Sometimes his vocals are hard to understand, but once you hear the album enough, you can. And the lyrics aren't deep, but because this is a rock n' roll album at heart, they don't need to be. I hope that if there is a third solo album, Myles is on it because he's really the only man I'd consider at this point to be able to work with Slash. In fact, I hope this group is one that stays together if Velvet Revolver doesn't get a singer anytime soon, which it doesn't look like it.
Apocalyptic Love won't wow the main stream radio stations or the ones that more into modern music, but that's not who this meant to be listened by. And I think an unfortunate product of how amazing Guns N' Roses sounded in their hey day, this album won't get the credit it deserves. It has the feelings of GN'R album, the sound of one, the make of one. Because in my honest opinion, it's the best work Slash has done since Use Your Illusion. That isn't knocking what he's done since then, but I haven't heard an album quite like this in a LONG time. Hopefully in time, this album will gain the recognition it deserves. You can't look at it as an album that changes everything, because it doesn't. It's rock n' roll, good song structure for each, not too short, not too long. It's Slash, what else can I say.
Here's the track list for you to check out from the Deluxe Edition, the * representing my personal favorites.
1. Apocalyptic Love *
2. One Last Thrill *
3. Standing In The Sun
4. You're A Lie *
5. No More Heroes
6. Halo *
7. We Will Roam
8. Anastasia *
9. Not For Me
10. Bad Rain *
11. Hard & Fast *
12. Far And Away
13. Shots Fired *
14. Carolina
15. Crazy Life *
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