Slash

The year is 2010, and I shall put forward one question; where the hell have all the rock'n'roll bands gone? Rock bands are ten a penny (argue amongst yourselves about who the better of those are) but true rock'n'roll bands, bands that ooze sleaze and swagger, have not been so frequent as of late. Arguably the last great rock'n'roll band is still Guns N' Roses. The ultimate train wreck of drugs, booze, sex and egos, Guns lived it like they played it. But frontman Axl Rose's volatile behaviour would eventually become too much for lead guitarist Slash, who quit the band in 1996. For the majority of fans, Slash's departure meant the end of Guns N' Roses and an end of an era.

Fast forward to 2004 and the rock world is buzzing. Ex-Guns N' Roses members Slash, Duff McKagan and Matt Sorum, form new band Velvet Revolver with guitarist Dave Kushner and ex-Stone Temple Pilots frontman Scott Weiland. Their debut album Contraband certainly showed the young'uns how it's done. The fusion of the classic GN'R sound with a 21st century snarl proved to be a winning formula, and Contraband eventually went on to sell an impressive 4 million copies worldwide. VR's voltaic performances definitely did not do sales any harm either. Fans were treated to an onslaught of seismic riffs and blistering solos that only Slash can deliver. Unfortunately VR lead guitarist/frontman relations became all too similar to previous events within GN'R. During the 2008 tour for second album Libertad, Weiland announced he would be leaving Velvet Revolver and the band has been on hiatus since.

During these Velvet Revolver years Slash in particular enjoyed a resurgence in popularity; he became something of an icon. Allegedly during concert performances when Slash's famous top hat would be carried out on stage by a roadie, it would get just as much applause and cheers as the guitarist himself. In 2007 Slash became the face of music video game Guitar Hero III: Legends of Rock, and an unlockable character within the game. But any artist who becomes just as famous for his persona as for his talents, starts to tread the murky waters that are self-parody and nostalgia act. What has saved Slash from falling into idiocy is his genuine passion for rock music, and the fact that he doesn't take the industry too seriously. Whereas albums with multiple collaborations, such as Santana's 9 time Grammy award winner Supernatural, can often feel like who-is-hot-in-the-biz-at-the-moment affairs, Slash's self-titled debut album intentionally steers clear of this. Slash explains, "This is like a backyard barbecue record, where you call up people and it's like, 'Come on down and have a beer' kind of thing". And it certainly feels like that.

Slash is unashamedly the equivalent to porn for the average rock fan. Starring a barrage of rock royalty, it will be hard for most fans to resist, even though some rock purists may be bewildered as to why their guitar hero has decided to include teeny pop artists such as Fergie and Adam Levine. Starting off with a riff that cheekily echoes GN'R stadium staple Welcome To The Jungle , stunning opener Ghost featuring Ian Astbury sets the pace on this no nonsense guitar driven album. Alter Bridge frontman Myles Kennedy gives a rock vocal master class on the infectious blues-rock infused Back To Cali, and leaves no doubts as to why Slash asked him to be his main vocalist when he takes the album out on tour. Elsewhere Chris Cornell is on fine form on Promise, which should redeem him in the rock community after the fiasco of his recent Timbaland produced album Scream. And Lemmy delivers a relentless performance on the hilarious Doctor Alibi. Perhaps the biggest surprises are in fact the tracks featuring the unlikely candidates. Adam Levine collaboration Gotten in particular is a true beauty.

Unfortunately there are a few duds. Nothing To Say is an undeniably boring and self-indulgent metal inspired number. Saint Is A Sinner is completely pointless as it gives no real indication that Slash is even on the track in any distinguishable way. And while I Hold On may be an OK song, it features Kid Rock, and that makes it rather worthy of ridicule. But make no mistake, there is more than half a great album here. Slash can still deliver enough raunchy riffs and heartfelt solos to get even the most rock-phobic individual rocking along.

Coming back to my initial point, in these monotonous years of mundane indie bands and EMO nonsense we are in desperate need for some good old fashioned rock'n'roll. So don't be a misery guts, go get your copy, turn up the volume and rock out.

Standout tracks: Ghost//Back From Cali//Promise//Gotten//Doctor Alibi//Baby Can't Drive