Velvet Revolver-Libertad

Year: 2007
Record Label: BMG Records
Track Listing:
01. Let It Roll
02. She Mine
03. Get Out The Door
04. She Build Quick Machines
05. The Last Fight
06. Pills, Demons, & ETC
07. American Man
08. Mary Mary
09. Just Sixteen
10. Can’t Get It Out Of My Head
11. For A Brother
12. Spay
13. Gravedancer

Libertad is the sophomore album for Velvet Revolver. After the successful release of their debut album, Contraband , many waited with abated to see whether the band were merely resting on their former band laurels. (For those who have been living in a cave for the past three years and were unaware, Velvet Revolver is made up of Guns n Roses, and Stone Temple Pilots.

So, if you were expecting the second album to have that heavy ‘Gun n Roses-esque’ sound, along with Slash’s blistering guitar solos then you’ll be bitterly disappointed. Velvet Revolver have their own sound, and while the solos are still there, there’s also more substance and less of a destruct, you are going to be severely disappointed.
Velvet Revolver have established their own sound, and while the guitar solos are still there, there’s also a substance and it is less about ego and more about unity. Velvet Revolver have strengthened into a band that doesn’t just cater to the talents of one or two members, but the whole band.

Libertad is refreshingly honest. Considering the band’s battles with drug and alcohol it is no surprise that they have written a song such as “Pills, Demons and etc”. Unfortunately with such a title, you would expect the song to have more oomph. Don’t get me wrong, the cascading guitars and ‘woo-hoos’ are endearing, there just isn’t enough oomph. It’s a nice melodic tune, but it just doesn’t seem to deliver effectively.

Despite the depressing themes on this album, there is a buoyant feel to it and plenty of energy. Tracks such as “Mary, Mary”, and “Just Sixteen” are pure ear-candy and Weiland is at his best singing in a retro style that is reminescent of the 70’s. It is almost as if Velvet Revolver has drawn from their inner demons, and past ghosts to produce an album with great riffs, delicious lyrics, and added their own benchmark style.

Tracks to hear: Mary, Mary; She Builds Quick Machines, For a Brother and Just Sixteen An album worthy of Velvet Revolver, and one that shows that they are not washed-up has-beens trying to earn an extra buck.

I give it HHHH
Buy it here
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