Slash

Good ol’ Slash

This guy is so easy to recognize not only by the singular hard-rock and blues-rock soloes, but also by the standout look. Doing OK without producers and image makers, Slash was smart enough to make up an image that once and forever became a trademark of the rock-music industry. It is hard to believe but he was the first one to understand that covering long curly hair with a top hat, jumping into leather trousers, hiding your glance behind sun glasses and, of course, getting heart breaking tunes out of a guitar would make you so special against a crowd of other instrumentalist who lack this originality. Fortunately, the former member of the immortal Guns N ’Roses is still capable of reminding us of himself, not only thank to the image, but also to his music. He has got a pretty successful band of his own now, Velvet Revolver, and acquired a great deal of experience of working with most popular rock-music personalities. Sufficient to name the song I Ain’t No Nice Guy, sung in duet by Lemmy Kilmister (Motorhead) and Ozzy Osbourne. It is clear now that Slash remained full of energy and ideas. He still knows how to make a guitar touch the hearts of the most untouchable listeners. It is once again proved by the man’s first solo album that is also called Slash.

One guitarist for so many vocalists

Slash is better seen as a collection of rock-music tracks that involved vocalists who are well-known in the rock society and even in a wider music community. Here we, for example, speak about the extravagant Fergie who is so tempting and seductive on Beautiful Dangerous. Slash gave another fine performance together with Lemmy KIlmister as they did Doctor Alibi, one of the fastest and heaviest numbers on the album. Ozzy took his part as well singing for track number two, Crucify The Dead. Punk-rock lovers will be glad to hear one of the music forefathers, Iggy Pop. He contributed his voice for We’re All Gonna Die, the record’s final shot. This rollicking song well soaked in rebellious spirit leaves no doubt that Iggy and Slash do not care about the age and are well capable of burning up the night. Slash is so proficient in doing his job here. He reached complete understanding and agreement with each of the invited vocalists, despite their diversity. He adjusted his playing to the type of every singer and yet managed to make all songs sound in a manner he is known for. The musician seems to vanish leaving the limelight to the singers, but then he surfaces with a excellent solo grabbing back the leading part of the show.

Perfectly balanced Slash

It is so great to hear no conceit or arrogance on the Slash record. This guy could have easily stuff the album with huge solos and other guitar tricks, just like many instrumentalists of his level would. It would be like: look, folks, what I can do. Besides, Slash could have turned this work into a commercial project. Indeed, for that purpose, he only needed to write simple tunes for each singer and play it the way most suitable for their basic genres. Yet Slash is loyal to his own preferences and the music he makes. If you recall that the albums features Kid Rock, Ozzy and Fergie, you might imagine that Slash could have been cast from one genre to another, from alternative rock to R&B and then to heavy metal. Still, he played the way he always did. So, if you like the rock-music from this man, Slash is a record for you. The guitarist is far from offering you something revolutionary or new. The album does not have musical revelations or performances from the top of the skills, which makes Slash a listenable and loveable effort for representatives of a very massive audience. It is very probable that you are one of them.