Velvet Revolver

Contraband

Good stuff

Review Score:

(10/10)
Contraband is a great CD - period. Lately, all of the hip "modern rock" seems invariably to flow towards angst-filled punk wannabe or estrogen-filled soft crap. Velvet Revolver provides a welcome deviation from this plagued, and oftentimes, prosaic, genre.

Going into it, I was wondering if the whole album was like "Fall to Pieces" or even worth buying? The answers: No and Yes. And No to the first question is a good thing. I love "Fall to Pieces," but if every song sounded alike, it would be torture. The CD takes a few listens to really feel it. Once you do, though, you won't take it out of your car CD player. "Big Machine" is my favorite song -- due to its unparalleled power, emotion, and singular antiestablishment message.

The focus and intensity of Weiland that was lacking from the Shangri-La is back. A little FYI: Take a gander at the lyrics in the foldout on the first listen to truly experience this CD. Rest assured, this band is not merely a one CD wonder.

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