Velvet Revolver – Libertad
WARNING: Please be advised that the following album could blow the roof off of your house or vehicle if played too loudly due to the guitar work of Slash, play with caution.
I’ll admit that I was very anticipated to get my hands on Contraband, the 2004 debut album from Velvet Revolver. Being a huge STP fan and admiring Guns ‘N’ Roses for their sheer raw talent, Velvet Revolver seemed too good to be true. I still think that Scott Weiland is one of the best frontmen ever and not too shabby of a vocalist either. Slash, Duff and Matt Sorum teaming up with such a showman just seemed right. Contraband was what it was, Scott fronting G’N'R, which still produced an enjoyable and decent debut album.
Three years later, VR returns with an in your face and fantastic sophomore album. I’m a strong believer that the second album for a band is crucial. Sure, there have been bands that have been consistent throughout their careers, but I bet the second album is what kicked it off. For example, consider Pearl Jam’s Vs., STP’s Purple or Foo Fighters The Colour and the Shape. Many will argue that these albums are the best in these bands catalogs. Well, VR doesn’t disappoint with their second effort.
Unlike Contraband, Libertad perfects the best elements of this supergroup, while at the same time showing that VR has meshed as one mighty force to reckon with. From start to finish Lbertadis a straight forward rock ‘n’ roll album. Most of the album contains tracks that are only 3 or 4 minutes long, so the album moves just as quick as Slash’s finger work. It probably also didn’t hurt that it was produced by Brendan O’Brien, who produced all 5 STP albums, as well as, albums for Pearl Jam, Rage Against The Machine, Matthew Sweet, Paul Westerberg, Incubus and Audioslave to name a few.
The songs themselves cover a wide range of topics, both familiar and unfamiliar to the band. For example, “She Mine” deals with Scott’s wife Mary having bi-polar; which he covered previously on STP’s “Bi-Polar Bear”, from their last album Shangri - La Dee Da. Weiland also sneaks in a love song to his wife with the cleverly titled song “Mary Mary”, although it’s not the cliched, sappy love ballad, because it still rocks.
VR also ventures into the world of politically themed songs with “The Last Fight”, a ballad (and probably second single, that’s not over the top like “Fall To Pieces”) which deals with a couple fighting before the man goes to war, and “American Man”. Other heavy songs include “For A Brother”, which is about Scott’s brother Michael, and VR’s cover of ELO’s “Can’t Get It Out Of My Head” which could be dedicated to him as well. However, Libertad isn’t all serious music. The opening track “Let It Roll”, “Get Out The Door”, “Just Sixteen” and the first single “She Builds Quick Machines” are just solid rock ‘n’ roll tracks to blast out of the car as you cruise around this summer.
So do yourself a favor and pick up a copy of Libertad, but be mindful of the various deluxe editions out there because there are several. For example, Best Buy offers a second disc with a documentary of the band’s South American tour; and iTunes which offers the bonus tracks “Messages” and a cover of the Talking Heads “Psycho Killer” and the video for “She Build Quick Machines”. Whichever version you get, this album won’t let you down.
Comments Off