Oblivious Presents: Slash

[Cpt_Oblivious]

Continuing with my music theme from my last review and having picked this up today, I shall be reviewing the much-anticipated and somewhat controversial solo offering from the hatted guitar god himself, Slash...

Spoiler: Track Listing & Contributing Artists

Ghost - Ian Astbury
Crucify the Dead - Ozzy Osbourne
Beautiful Dangerous - Fergie
Back from Cali - Myles Kennedy
Promise - Chris Cornell
By the Sword - Andrew Stockade of Wolfmother
Gotten - Adam Levine
Doctor Alibi - Lemmy Kilmister
Watch This - Duff McKagen & Dave Grohl
I Hold On - Kid Rock
Nothing to Say - M. Shadows of Avenged Sevenfold
Starlight - Myles Kennedy
Saint is a Sinenr Too - Rocco DeLuca
We're All Gonna Die - Iggy Pop
Baby Can't Drive - Alice Cooper & Nicole Scherzinger of The Pussycat Dolls

Firstly, this is possibly the most hyped up album of the year, if not longer. In fact, it's pretty close to Chinese Democracy in terms of how hyped this has been. What it also has is controversy. Naturally people were somewhat shocked by a few of Slash's choices for guest musicians. The prime target, of course, being Fergie. It is understandable though, what is this RnB singer doing on our rock 'n' roll album? Well, from the sounds of Beautiful Dangerous she's making some simply amazing music, her voice, changing from that of a much-loathed RnB star into the perfect female accompaniment to Slash's guitar style, her voice lingering seductively in verses before exploding into full rock 'n' roll mode for the chorus. Proof, if it were ever needed, not to judge a book by it's cover.

Another of the surprises here is Baby Can't Drive, with Nicole Scherzinger and Alice Cooper. Although not quite as talked about as Fergie's contribution this is certainly unexpected. Again, what's this bird from The Pussycat Dolls doing on my rock album? And, like Fergie, she's kicking some ass. With Cooper doing his usual rock god stuff, Scherzinger proves her worth on this song, which is obviously a whole world away from her usual work.

While there are a few other shining lights of brilliance from the album, such as Doctor Alibi, Nothing to Say, I Hold On and Starlight it is largely let down by Slash's unnerving, though commendable, move to something slower with singers such as Myles Kennedy and Chris Cornell. They seem dull and drawn out, too progressive for the context set out with the first handful of songs. What is more worrying though, is the contribution from the Prince of Darkness himself, Ozzy Osbourne. While the song is sound, the execution just isn't right at all to me. It's Ozzy and Slash, but now how it should be. It should be much better for what it is.

Overall, this album is a worthwhile purchase which will be different things to different people and worth buying no matter your musical interest. For the more prog-loving among us, you will most likely disagree with me completely and love the songs with Myles Kennedy, Chris Cornell and Andrew Stockdale.For me, though, it just doesn't hit the right spot.

 

[Generator]

How have I never even heard of this album? I guess I'm not a huge fan of Slash or anything, but you'd think I'd have heard something about it by now, right?

OT: Your review has convinced me to check out the album, so thanks very much. If I remember, I may edit this post with my impressions on it.

 

[F'Angus]

Good review. I've been a long fan of Slash and Myles Kennedy so think their songs; "Back from Cali" and "Starlight" are just awesome. However listening to the other songs on the Album I believe "Slash" is a great buy.

I was surprised by Fergie's song and thought Andrew Stockdale's was one of the best I've heard for a while.

If you haven't seen it then it's well worth checking the Album out.

 

[Andalusa]

Nice review, I was going to check out the album anyway, but it's good to know what I'm letting myself in for.

 

[razer17]

I had no interest in this film before, and I still don't, but I do want to check out the Fergie and Scherrzinger tracks, because I want to know what they sound like not making their dreary pop/RnB stuff.

Good review, though.

 

[Gildan Bladeborn]

I would be able to say I had no idea this existed, but Cgull brought it up in Adult's Anonymous earlier today/last night, so I knew about it for a very short while prior to entering this thread. Looking at the guest list I think I'll stick to enjoying the new Bruce Kulick and Jeff Beck albums and give this one a pass, never really been all that much of a fan of the music Slash plays and that guest list doesn't help muster my enthusiasm at all (and believe it or not, Fergie wouldn't have been my biggest complaint).