NEW MUSIC CORNER # 76 SLASH/JOE BONAMASSA

[RJhog (Admin)]

Hey, I finally got some new music again this year.  It's been pretty thin so far.  I'm taking Scott's turn this week and should be back in 2 weeks with some more new music.  So check this stuff out, and remember that if you like what you hear, go out and make a purchase (CD or download).  We need to support these musicians to keep new music coming to us.

Slash (feat. Myles Kennedy and the Co-conspirators) - Apocalyptic Love

I think this CD is very good.  It's more cohesive than his last album, probably 'cause the vocalist is the same on every song.  Also, the band toured together for the last album, so everybody seems to be on the same page.  Of course, the vocals and vocal melody are terrific.  And the guitar playing is really good.  The surprise for me is the rhythm section.  I really love the drumming here.  This album features a song that will be in the running for song of the year in my book, and that would be Anastasia.  Let me know what you think.

1. Apocalyptic Love

2. Standing In The Sun

3. Anastasia

4. Bad Rain

5. Shots Fired

Joe Bonamassa - Driving Towards The Daylight

I didn't even know this was coming out until a couple of weeks ago.  I really have started to admire Joe's work, especially with Black Country Communion.  This is a blues album, and a dang good one. Bonamassa wrote 4 of the songs, the rest are covers.  I've included the 4 Bonamassa penned songs along with one cover, which is the last track here.  It features Jimmy Barnes on vocals, where JB is on vocals on all the other songs.  He really is a good vocalist, and his guitar work is outstanding.  The co-writers for the final track are Jimmy Barnes, Jonathan Cain, Neal Schon, Randy Jackson and Tony Brock.  As a side note, the drums on these tracks are performed by Peter Criss, I mean Anton Fig.  Also, Driving Towards The Daylight will be competing for my vote for song of the year as well.  

1. Dislocated Boy

2. Driving Towards The Daylight

3. Heavenly Soul

4. Somewhere Trouble Don't Go

5. Too Much Ain't Enough Love (feat. Jimmy Barnes)

[Alan Christensen]

I saw both of these CDs and thought about getting them both, along with the new Great White. They are on my wantlist.

If you have not seen this DVD, get it! It is GREAT! I might watch it again today. I have two J.B. DVDs, but this one is the best.


NP Europe - Wings of Tomorrow (On Spotify).

REAL CDs are BETTER than DOWNLOAD! I have a problem getting burned CDs to play in any CD player other than my car! But as of late, I've only been playing copied CDs in my car, cause I don't want to scratch the real ones! :) My car CD player will scratch CDs as it gets dusty/dirty where I use my car for delivering the mail. :(

[Niels (Mod)]

SLASH - 4 out of 6

It's good. Not bad at all, but.....I'm a LITTLE bored. It's the same ol' heavy Rock'n'Roll ala Slash once again, and even though many people consider him a great guitarist, I'm not a fan of his playing. There are good songs on this album, but also some stinkers. If you don't like the first track on the album, you won't like this album, ever. At the moment, I really like music, that will grow on you after a few listenings. This works the other way around. After a few listenings, I'm getting tired of it. Not all of the tracks, though."Anastasia" is not a very good track imo, but Slash's best guitar-solo on the album is in that track. I hope not, this will end up in my personal top 10 of the year. I don't think, that it will, but like I said, it's not bad at all, but....

I haven't got time to listen to the Joe Bonamassa-album yet.  

[Scott]

SLASH ...  Thumbs Up!! 

Myles Kennedy is the best voice out there right now.  Not sure if this is a permanent arrangement given the "featuring Myles Kennedy" title, but Slash would be smart to either make him full time singer of this band or get him in Velvet Revolver ASAP!  Either way we win, though I must admit I am sad for Alter Bridge, I sure loved III and would love for them to continue with Kennedy as well...  This is now on my wish list.

JOE BONAMASSA ...

Ive listened to a couple of his solo albums via the Zune marketplace and his stuff is really themed (at least the ones I selected were).  Without listening I know the geetar will be phenomenal and it really works on the first track, but that's all I liked about it - the geetar solo. Heavenly Soul is a very nice track though!  I enjoyed the listening experience, but I'm not sure this is one I would pick out of the collection and put in very often. 

[RJhog (Admin)]

Myles Kennedy is still in Alter Bridge.  He's just a tireless worker.  Mark Tremonti's solo album will be out in July (10th), then it probably won't be long til Alter Bridge is working on a new album.

[RJhog (Admin)]

Okay, I thought I had your tastes figured out, but once again, I don't.  I would have sworn you wouldn't like Slash because it was approaching something more like Shinedown than Alter Bridge.  And I would have sworn you would love the Bonamassa stuff.  I think it's safe to now say that concerning you, Jon, Niels and myself, 95% of what I'm digging is not something you all like and vice versa.  Of course, that's of no concern because at least we all love this thing called rock music.

[Jon]

Slash--thumbs a little over half, but well below 3/4

Sorry guys, but a constant listen to Myles Kennedy just makes me want to slash my throat. i liked the previous Slash album since it wasn't all Myles. He sounding too much like a lower range Axl, especially on "Shots Fired". I'm giving the thumbs up to the geetar, really good stuff.

Joe Bonamassa--Thumbs up

This I'm digging big time. Not a dud song here at all. Makes me want to take out the tractor and slice and dice some hay, or run down them children of the corn. And Jimmy Barnes? Listened to the Lost Boys soundtrack a few weeks ago and he was singing with INXS. JIMMY BARNES!

[RJhog (Admin)]

I don't remember Barnes at all, but his vocal is killer on that song.

Don't "Slash" your throat dude!

[Alan Christensen]

I didn't like this Slash CD AT ALL. I traded it (but still have a CDR). Maybe I'll give it another try. The new Slash is selling well. The local DJs mentioned it today, and really like it.

I listened to the Joe Bonamassa CD on Spotify and REALLY like it! I plan on buying it soon!

[Jon]

I believe that JIMMY BARNES (you just hafta put his name in caps, dunno why) if really big in Australia, not so much in the US.

[RJhog (Admin)]

I live in the US.

[Gordon Williams]

I got the Slash last weekend. First listen, I was kind of busy while listening...and it did not really strike me as anything above average. But I gave it a good listen later the same day, and I really dig it. It's not as diverse as the first solo disc, as RJHog mentioned, but I think it is still a great release.

Have not heard it enough yet to choose my favorites, but I think every single track is good. And Myles is as good a singer as just about anybody. On the subject of busy musicians, Myles and the rest of Alter Bridge dont ever seem to take a break!

Not only is Tremonti releasing his solo CD soon, but Creed is on tour right now. Just played Atlanta on Sunday, and the show included playing the entire "Human Clay" release.

The Bonamassa is good enough for me, where I have it under "purchase consideration" already. I think he sings just as good as he plays! Great post on this one for me!

[Jon]

Well, Georgia. Guess that counts