Velvet Revolver: Libertad
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From a cokehead screaming over Guns N’ Roses, to a rock n’ roll powerhouse Velvet Revolver has definitely proven themselves to be a solid band. Velvet Revolver’s newest CD Libertad has been in stores for 11 weeks and has sold many CDs already. Frontman Scott Weiland has, at least for the moment, kicked the assortment of drug addictions he has been battling for the last few years, which has allowed the band to finally find its true sound. Libertad is a masterpiece of hard rock: it brings out the true talent of the veteran rockers with songs like "She Builds Quick Machines" and "The Last Flight."
For those not familiar with Velvet Revolver, it's a supergroup made up of former Guns N’ Roses members including lead guitarist Slash, bassist Duff McKagan, and drummer Matt Sorum joined by Stone Temple Pilots lead singer Scott Weiland, and former Wasted Youth guitarist Dave Kushner to round out this hard rock roster. Velvet Revolver does what they were born to do by playing aggressive rock n’ roll for not only loyal audiences, but also the youth, who couldn’t experience Guns N’ Roses or Stone Temple Pilots. Duff McKagan told VH1, "There's always that ')*$% you element to it. Really that's all we know how to do.” They hold that element dearly with their touring and new CD Libertad.
“She Builds Quick Machines” had been Velvet Revolver’s main single for their new CD and it had been an immediate hit when it was released. The song has a fast-paced sound reminiscent of Guns N’ Roses’ "Appetite for Destruction." The main difference is that it doesn't contain the whiny voice of Axl Rose, but instead the grungy sounds of the multi-talented ex- heroin addict Weiland. Another great song on the CD is the ballad “The Last Flight”. The song starts with the drumming of slow drums and proceeds with the guitar melody and singing, which steadily grows until the very end. The lyrics were written by Weiland and are about the death of his younger brother Michael who died of a drug overdose during the recording of the album. Vh1 stated that his brother’s death is the main reason Weiland is "clean" now. The Last Flight is also the only song that includes a piano throughout the whole CD the song is also Velvet Revolver’s latest single.
The concept of Libertad reflects freedom and American patriotism, while also retaining the “badass” sound Velvet Revolver is famous for. The album was announced in 2005 but never really got going until they hired Brendon O’Brien: O’Brien was also a producer for Stone Temple Pilots. Libertad sold 92,000 copies its first week out and was said to be the best rock album of the summer. It is also rumored that “She Builds Quick Machines” and another song from the album will appear in the video game Guitar Hero III. In addition, unconfirmed reports say that Scott Weiland is trying to get Stone Temple Pilots back together for one last album after the next Velvet Revolver release. Weiland is scheduled to start touring with STP this summer. Then there’s the old rumor of the possible return of Guns N’ Roses if Axl Rose would comply: of course, this long-awaited rock world return is highly unlikely to happen.
Get out and listen to Libertad if you have not already. To sample Velvet Revolver check their Web site or their Myspace. Now that the band can actually play a set without using songs from their former bands, they are touring around the United States right now to promote Libertad.
