Slash featuring Myles Kennedy and the Conspirators, Living the Dream

Slash featuring Myles Kennedy and the Conspirators, Living the Dream – Review

by Rudy Palma

Slash featuring Myles Kennedy and the Conspirators will release on September 21, 2018.  The promotional push has already begun.  The band’s new album, Living the Dream, will be released by Slash’s own Snakepit Records.  This marks Slash’s fourth solo album and his third featuring the backing band of Kennedy (vocals), Brent Fitz (drums), Todd Kerns (bass, vocals) and Frank Sidoris (guitar, vocals).

“Call of the Wild,” kicks of the album. The first 5 seconds you might find yourself looking at your player and thinking is this thing skipping. Fear not rockers, after the quick “gotcha” the album explodes with libidinous rocking guitars and roaring vocals.  I will get this out front right away  Kennedy has always reminded me of a cross between Axl and the lead singer of Queensrÿche’s original vocalist Geoff Tate. Kennedy is inspired, the twang of the guitar on this track headways into a blistering wall of guitar sound, hard hitting drums and heavy hits and stops.

“My Antidote,” is filled with Slash’s signature guitar sound all over it, bluesy riffs and a blistering effectuation of guitar layers.  A heavy-laden driving beat, that pivots to into wide open spaces of power chords and a hook-driven chorus that lingers.

Ending with a ballad “The One You Loved is Gone,” is a peaceful way to end the album. This is where the salt of a vocalist and band’s weakness will shine like a beacon.  Kennedy, Kerns, and Sidoris blend perfectly their harmonies utilize keen attributes of similarity while utilizing a rounded approach to the notes chosen.

Living The Dream is certainly reminiscent of what made rock great in the early eighties. Fierce guitar, with solidly locked harmonies and a potent vocalist add up to an exceptional listen. Thank GOD we have moved past the angst of the three chord wonders that ruined the nineties.  Highly recommended.

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