It is a hard rocking tune that features enough of everything you love about music and a lack of everything you don’t, that promises to stick in your senses long after the final track of the album, which, admittedly, I am yet to hear. Slash attacks the guitar as though it stole his lunch money, and you can almost sense Kennedy bouncing around the studio in anticipation of what’s to come. I feel like I have taken a bit of peyote before listening to this album, so let’s quickly move on before it wears off!Ĭall Of The Dogs feeds back into life and here is the winner by far. The musical hieroglyphics return mid-song and again that cobra starts winding its way upwards in time with the music, all the while Slash keeping it mesmerized with guitar play that shifts its focus from me. The pace doesn’t pick up quite enough from song to song compared to what it could, but, again, is that really what you want or expect from a Slash Featuring Myles Kennedy and The Conspirators album? So far, my only gripe is a little too much of the same old, same old. It quickly chuggs its way back into the tried and true rock formula, which, let’s face it, is exactly what you want from this record. Spirit Love begins with an almost Egyptian sounding guitar riff that evokes Middle Eastern feelings and almost has me conjuring visions of a cobra dancing upwards from his wooden coffin. It is a meat and potatoes rock album and luckily for Slash Featuring Myles Kennedy and The Conspirators the whole world still loves meat and potatoes.Įspecially Slash, it seems, who comes in with another timeless guitar solo that almost speaks as loudly as the words.

It is a straight-up rock number that wouldn’t be out of place on a 1950s rock and roll dancefloor or a 2020s pub beer garden.Īnd that epitomizes the whole of 4 thus far. He is now a musical enigma in his own right, and deservedly so.Īctions Speak Louder Than Words is already my favourite by virtue of the title alone, and as it kicks in with wailing guitars it justifies my early feelings.

Kennedy’s voice, while always being impressive, benefits greatly from the confidence mentioned earlier and has come a long way from the early days where he appeared to be Slash’s sidekick. The Path Less Followed counts in courtesy of Kerns’ drumsticks and is a whirlwind of distortion that soon clears into an almost boppy number that allows Kennedy to let out some of his trademark wails while Slash quietly nimbles in the background. Despite a couple of guitar solo’s that rescue the song from the depths of despair it’s not really for me so let’s move quietly on… It is a gentle number that mentions love a lot and sweeps along as though it is an ode to someone either long forgotten or recently departed. Slash lets him have it until just after the two-minute mark before he can no longer restrain himself and out comes what promises to be one of many blistering solos.Ĭ’est La Vie doesn’t start with croissants, but rather a bluesy little interlude that leans more towards frogs legs sprinkled with smokey BBQ seasoning. This song is really a showcase for Fitz to show off his chops, with the sporadic, yet flawless drumming continuing throughout. Rather than belting it out, he almost soothes in his vocal delivery, allowing more breathing space between the chaos continuing around him. Time Will Tell starts with an eclectic drum intro that stutters haphazardly before three strikes of the cowbell introduce Kennedy, who seems to be singing within himself on this track. The song seemingly slows to a crawl about two thirds of the way through before regathering pace – and then some – in what wouldn’t have been out of place on the debut Gunners album. Halfway through, Slash explodes with a guitar solo that by now only he can muster with such regularity before Kennedy once again assumes the mantle, his distinctive voice becoming better on each release. Over the course of four albums this has become a band rather than an entity, with each member – rounded out by bassist Todd Kerns, drummer Brent Fitz and rhythm guitarist Frank Sidoris having, and more importantly knowing, their role. Myles Kennedy soon lends his throat to proceedings and begins in a comfortable and assured manner that signifies this is more than just a vehicle for Slash and his guitar prowess. That Slash is one of the best in the business.

Slash and myles kennedy