No introductions are needed when you say the names Slash and Myles Kennedy. I had heard them many times with their respective bands, I had heard the odd song from SLASH FT. MYLES KENNEDY & THE CONSPIRATORS, yet this is my first time hearing a full-length album from them. The album in question is their upcoming release 4 and I was not disappointed.
It wastes no time kicking off with The River Is Rising. It’s a soaring track that leaves you feeling fully immersed from the moment it plays. Anyone likes to practice any type of air instrument will be overjoyed at the numerous opportunities to play along to intricately written drum patterns, pounding bass lines and of course those excellent guitar riffs and solos.
There is an infectious spirit and energy that is displayed in this album, it perfectly captures what being in the moment feels like. Whether you decide to keep this for yourself or share with others, you will find yourself going back for more. Before giving this album a listen, I was having a day of low morale and this album instantly lifted me up. Despite sounding so different from one another, each song displays that same energy. Below are just a few examples of what I mean.
The beginning of The Path Less Followed reminds of iconic RAINBOW track Since You’ve Been Gone due to similar sounding riffs. It has those free sounding arrangements of the sixties that allow you to escape reality and forget your troubles. The song has an interesting melody structure that has you hooked.
Actions Speak Loud Than Words displays a brilliant melody that is so infectious that I found myself humming along to it on the first listen. It also contains brilliant beats that you can have a dance to, my kind of hard rock track. Jimi Hendrix classic All Along The Watchtower came to mind when listening to this.
Spirit Love is another song that brings the free sounds of the sixties to the present day. The melody is intriguing yet infectious as it leaves me wanting to experience the track repeatedly.
April Fool has playful sounding riffs whilst Myles’ soaring vocals communicate an important message about being taken for a fool and coming out of the other side. Lyrics such as “you had me shaken and wrapped around your finger, I was your April Fool” and “but look whose laughing now in the end it’s safe to say, the joke’s on you” can apply to anyone who has been in any sort of toxic situation.
It closes with Fall Back To Earth, a stadium/festival anthem in the making. Right up until the last moment, they keep up with this infectious spirit and energy. This song has an almost prog-like melody structure that contains a powerful message. It gives you one last blast of excellence before coming to an end.
The brilliance 4 displays makes me wonder why I didn’t listen to a full album SLASH FT. MYLES KENNEDY & THE CONSPIRATORS sooner yet I feel glad to have done now. This album is a treasure that will be welcomed with open arms by long time fans and new listeners.
Rating: 9/10
Words: Lotty Whittingham
4 will be released this Friday via Gibson Records.
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