There's more die-hard Guns 'N' Roses fans out there than you might imagine.
But alas, a GNR reunion is far from reality, and with Axl Rose's recent awkward physical changes, I'm not sure we'd want to see it anyway.
That said, we GNR fans have been waiting for "Contraband" forever. The rumors started somewhere back in spring of 2002; GNR's guitar genius, Slash, bassist Duff McKagan and drummer Matt Sorum were starting a group together. Names such as Skid Row's Sebastian Bach were thrown about as possible front men for the group.
Then another name got leaked, the one that I rooted the hardest for to take the spot, and who actually did end up completing Velvet Revolver - Scott Weiland.
Weiland has been taking lots of crap since the Stone Temple Pilots first emerged into the alternative rock scene of the early '90s. STP's popularity came on the heels of the grunge explosion and while the band's music shared some similar sonic aspects with Nirvana and Pearl Jam, STP's music and image has always been far more glamorous.
From the days of "Interstate Love Song," to his solo album and especially on "Contraband," Weiland shows why he has become one of the most recognizable voices in hard rock of the past decade. When he yells, it's not aggressive, it's just energized.
There's no doubt to the level of talent displayed on "Contraband." All five musicians making up Velvet Revolver have paid their dues and sold their souls to the devil. With the three ex-GNR members, a chart-topping vocalist and Wasted Youth's guitarist Dave Kushner, the lineup for Velvet Revolver couldn't be better.
Songs like "You Got No Right" sound like they're straight off STP's '96 release "Tiny Music … Songs From the Vatican Gift Shop."
Check out the screamin' guitar solo on "Slither," which erupts out of the fast-paced song with sweet lyrics.
My personal favorite is "Big Machine," which starts out with the killer bass talents of McKagan and gives way to the slightly creepy vocals of Weiland.
"Contraband" isn't nearly as good as GNR's "Use Your Illusion II" or STP's "Purple." It's exactly what it's supposed to be, Guns N' Roses fronted by Scott Weiland. Fans of both GNR and STP will be pleased with this release.
If you liked this, you might also like: Audioslave, Stone Temple Pilots, Guns N' Roses
