Velvet Revolver always seemed like the answer to a quintessential L.A. ock & roll question: what does the engine of Guns N' Roses do when they're left to rust by the side of the road? It was long past the point when Slash, Duff, and Matt Sorum could possibly hope that Axl would abandon Buckethead, Tommy Stinson, and whoever else was toiling away in the studio under the GNR banner and go for a reunion tour, and old rockers need a place to make noise even while they're in the process of fading away, so they started a new band (Izzy may or may not have been invited to the party, but he long ago started following his own path and never seemed interested in coming back into the fold). A band as big as this needed a true star to front it -- a lesson well learned from the charisma-free black hole that was Slash's Snakepit, where the vocalists never could quite spar with the guitarist -- so even if they flirted with Buckcherry's Josh Todd, there really was only one choice to fill the singer's slot and that was Scott Weiland, who wasn't abandoned from his own imploding band, Stone Temple Pilots, as much as alienated from them due to a combination of ego and excess. A band in search of a singer, a singer in search of a band, both parties calling Los Angeles their home, both well-known for their all-encompassing love of ock & roll debauchery -- it seemed like nothing could go wrong.
As it turned out, nothing quite went unquestionably right, either, as their 2004 debut, Contraband, met the GNR-meets-STP expectations but never transcended them. It was far from a flop -- selling millions around the world -- but it wasn't quite compelling either, partially because it was too easy to hear the separation between Slash's sleazoid blooze riffs and Weiland's hazily psychedelic melodies, and they had yet to find a common ground apart from a handful of songs. Despite this, it was hard not to feel some affection for Velvet Revolver, since they were so unrepentant in their love for old-school ock & roll theater, and also since they were driven by Slash and Duff, two of the most lovable characters in '80s hard rock, and there was a certain joy to hearing them play again on a big stage where they belong. But the key problem with Velvet Revolver is that the GNR aesthetic doesn't quite gel with Weiland. If GNR are the kind of band all ock fans feel good about loving, Weiland is the kind of frontman who gets grudging respect; it's possible to love his music, particularly the irresistible swirling melodies, without really loving him. A large part of this is that he exudes a reptilian coldness that doesn't thaw even when paired with the big, blowsy ock of Slash and Duff, but instead of giving the music tension it just means that it doesn't quite gel, since both parties play to their strengths instead of finding a collective sound.
That's as true on their second album, 2007's Libertad, as it was on Contraband, but this record is more cohesive than the debut, partially due to the presence of Weiland's old STP producer, Brendan O'Brien, who lends the recording color and texture that enhances the melodies while still giving the guitars considerable muscle. O'Brien amplifies the energy for both the singer and the band and, taken on their own terms, they sound quite good. Weiland gets off some great tunes (as on the "Days of the Week" sequel "She Mine"), sometimes the band dominates (as on "Spay"), and sometimes everything suddenly clicks (as on the relentless opener, "Let It Roll," where both parties shine). Too often, though, there are concessions between Weiland and the others during the course of a song, with the bandmembers getting to ride their riffs during the verse, then fading into the background as Weiland delivers a chorus that is indelibly his own, as on "She Builds Quick Machines," which seesaws between the two extremes. This isn't necessarily a bad thing because both camps are good at what they do and the individual pieces of the songs are pretty enjoyable, but as Libertad rolls on, it's hard not to wish that Velvet Revolver buckled down and acted like a band, finding a way to fuse their two aesthetics into a whole, instead of stroking their individual egos by indulging in what they're good at.
Of course, indulgence is the very reason the band exists: it's what made them stars, and without GNR or STP around, all the guys in this band need some outlet for their energies (which may only be partially musical). And in that regard, Velvet Revolver fulfill a need for the bandmembers, but also for an audience that is craving ock & roll that is proudly about good times -- an audience that is not insubstantial in 2007, but is poorly served. Libertad won't necessarily provide that audience with lasting sustenance, but it is a quick enough fix of old-fashioned ock & roll hedonism that does do its job reasonably well, as it has the riffs and melodies to please, even if they're not quite pulled together as full-fledged songs. And that's all down to the band acting as a group of stars instead of a group -- the charisma of each individual bandmember still shines brightly, but if they can funnel that into some kind of group charisma next time around, they might finally have an album that lives up to their past instead of merely doing no disservice to it.
Minnesota Vikings Cheerleader Laura http://www.vikings.com/CheerleadersProfile_laura_2007.aspxBut first, these are my ‘BEST’ CD’s for 2007 (Part 2) (11.) VELVET REVOLVER - LIBERTAD – This record is more cohesive than their debut, partially due to the presence of Weiland's old STP producer, Brendan O'Brien.Hear ‘SHE BUILDS QUICK MACHINES’, ‘Let It Roll’, ‘She Mine’, and ‘The
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Have you heard Velvet Revolver's new release Libertad yet? It rocks! The cover of ELO's Can't Get It Out Of My Head was an interesting surprise and Let It Roll is the perfect opening track. I can't wait to see the these guys again. They put on a great show when they were in Charlotte a couple years ago.
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There is nothing better than some head banging hard rock when you need to get pumped up right before a big sports event or even when you need to vent your frustrations on a bad day. On July 3, 2007 we'll be able to do turn on Velvet Revolver's new album Libertad courtesy of RCA Records. The timing couldn’t have been planned better since the release date falls one day before the US Independence .
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the new Velvet RevolverWOW i love the net and the damn preview for musici NEVER again hafta buy shitty music yo?rock out roll on
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Minnesota Vikings Cheerleader Laura http://www.vikings.com/CheerleadersProfile_laura_2007.aspxBut first, these are my ‘BEST’ CD’s for 2007 (Part 2) (11.) VELVET REVOLVER - LIBERTAD – This record is more cohesive than their debut, partially due to the presence of Weiland's old STP producer, Brendan O'Brien.Hear ‘SHE BUILDS QUICK MACHINES’, ‘Let It Roll’, ‘She Mine’, and ‘The
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Velvet Revolver gave an interview to Edge 102.1, Toronto before playing at the Kool Haus. In the 23 minute long interview, the band talks about their recent South America tour, explains the concepts behind their upcoming release, ??Libertad?? (July 3,RCA), and touring plans with Alice and Chains. "Click Here To Check It Out":CH[CH]http://www.lenonline.nl/070513_-_Toronto_Canada_-_EDGE102.mp3htt...
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Velvet Revolver are heading up to tour North America after a reasonably successful run through South America. While in San Palo, Brazil the band played for some '55,000 fans' while backing for Aerosmith. The band has confirmed nearly 15 dates and explain that 'more Canadian shows' are on the horizon.For the record:The band is Scott Weiland (lead vocals), Slash (guitars), Dave Kushner (guitars),...
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Slash recently gave an interview with the Chilean magazine "Rock & Pop". In it, the famed Guns N' Roses long hair admits that all of Guns n' Roses and Stone temple Pilots covers that his current group "Velvet Revolver" play, isn't exactly what he's looking for.??In his own words??You know, I was saying it would be a good idea to get, just for a couple of shows, to get the original STP and the...
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It was mentioned awhile back on the MOG News page that Velvet Revolver had made a pact with Alice In Chains to tour together this summer. At the time, there were no dates announced, as both bands were busy with other shows and working on new material. Velvet Revolver has been finishing up their sophomore album together, titled Libertad, which drops on July 3rd.Now with the tour sorted, they c...
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Velvet Revolver has announced a small coast-to-coast US tour for the month of May. They will be playing a few songs from the yet-to-be-released album, Libertad, which hits stores after this tour on July 3rd. May 20073 - Los Angeles, CA - Avalon Hollywood5 - San Francisco, CA - The Warfield7 - Seattle, WA - Showbox Showroom10 - Chicago, IL - The Riviera12 - Royal Oak, MI - Royal Oak Music Theat...
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And now for your Velvet Revolver updates:As you may already know, the next album from VR will be Libertad which drops on July 3rd. The band has announced that the first single from this album, "She Builds Quick Machines" is now available for download from iTunes. You can head over to the band's website to get a hold of the single and more info, but wait! There's more good news for VR fans -...
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Velvet Revolver's new album was released today. It's a lot like Contraband for the most part: straight up rock and roll from a decade or two ago. I find that a lot of people don't like them for whatever reason. I don't think they're the greatest band in the world, but they are alright. The deal is with them that you know what you're getting. There's no tricks. It's Guns And Roses with Scott Wei...
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DATE: April 1st, 2008TITLE: Velvet Revolver to Part Ways With SingerTEXT:LOS ANGELES--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Velvet Revolver founding members Slash, Duff McKagan, Matt Sorum and Dave Kushner announced today that they are parting ways with singer Scott Weiland. "This band is all about its fans and its music and Scott Weiland isn't 100% committed to either," said Slash. "Among other things, his increas...
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Have you heard Velvet Revolver's new release Libertad yet? It rocks! The cover of ELO's Can't Get It Out Of My Head was an interesting surprise and Let It Roll is the perfect opening track. I can't wait to see the these guys again. They put on a great show when they were in Charlotte a couple years ago.
More >
There is nothing better than some head banging hard rock when you need to get pumped up right before a big sports event or even when you need to vent your frustrations on a bad day. On July 3, 2007 we'll be able to do turn on Velvet Revolver's new album Libertad courtesy of RCA Records. The timing couldn’t have been planned better since the release date falls one day before the US Independence .
More >
Generally, it's interesting when you get Slash to open up. For years he's cultivated a frontman image while being the strong silent type. In a recent interview with Planet-loud.com, Slash explained his new group, Velvet Revolver's motivations.Planet-Loud.com: Going onto this record ??Libertad??, what did you want to achieve with it?Slash: You know, for me personally, I didn't have any set goal ...
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| Title | Lyrics | Buy |
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| 1 Let It Roll |
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| 2 She Mine |
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| 3 Get Out the Door |
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| 4 She Builds Quick Machines |
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| 5 The Last Fight |
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| 6 Pills, Demons & Etc. |
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| 7 American Man |
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| 8 Mary Mary |
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| 9 Just Sixteen |
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| 10 Can't Get It Out of My Head |
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| 11 For a Brother |
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| 12 Spay |
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| 13 Gravedancer |
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| 14 Re-Evolution: Making of Libertad [Multimedia Track] |
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Click to purchase…
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 "Libertad")
