All Music Magazine recently covered and and published concert reviews of three shows on the latest Slash featuring Myles Kennedy and The Conspirators tour. I was sent an invitation to review the latest album “4” with my credentials to cover the second to last show in Orlando, Florida. Typically I listen to an album at least six times before I am able to review it properly. The first run through, I read along with the lyrics to get the basis for the compositions direction. Next, come out the headphones to her the magic of the recording and dive into the the mastering of each song.
This album was no different and I want to share with you my thoughts and impressions of my listening experience with “4”.
One noticeable difference in reviewing “4” is that it’s an album with Slash playing lead guitar.
Every great guitar driven song has a guitar break or solo. I also rated each guitar break in each song.
Photo credit: Austin Nelson
Slash featuring Myles Kennedy & The Conspirators:
Slash – Lead Guitar
Myles Kennedy – Vocals
Brent Fitz – Drums
Todd Kerns – Bass/Vocals
Frank Sidoris – Guitar/Vocals
1.) “The River Is Rising”
This is my favorite track on the album. What better way to get started than to have the song you love most kicking off your album review?
This song starts out with a riff that sounds like a siren! Then energy cotinues with Myles Kennedy’s strong vocals. Todd Kerns bass line and Brent Fitz’s heavy beat anchor the song giving a full sound. At the 2:12 mark, the guitar break starts and goes on for a good 25 seconds, it’s just magic. At 3:14 in the song, Slash and Kerns go head to head to finish out the song. The imagery described was taken off one of the two videos released to date from the album. Frank Sidoris is not to be forgotten, as the fullness of the melody with his rhythm guitar is huge.
Guitar Break 10/10
2.) “Whatever Gets You By”
The next track starts out with a melodic drum beat, joined by some heavy riffs into Myles soft vocals. The song heads into a controlled chaos with the backing vocals and harmonies.
Guitar Break 4/10
3.) “C’est La Vie”
Slash starts the song using a moog talk box and petal for a great effect and is used throughout the piece. Kennedy is really featured in this song as his vocals are a bit like Bowie with his voice inflection and range. There is a really great mix on this song which is completely different than any others on the album.
Guitar Break 9/10
4.) “The Path Less Followed”
Myles really hits the high range of his vocals which is a joy to listen to. The guitar tracks are a bit dirty but good.
Guitar Break 7/10
5.) “Actions Speak Louder Than Words”
Great intro, even with a bit of cowbell! The layered guitar tracks are also really great in this number and you should play it loud with the headphones on!
The G’n’R can be heard in Slash’s guitar break on this one.
Guitar Break 10/10
6.) “Spirit Love”
This song starts out with an Far Eastern flair. Very vocally heavy with The band is just backing Myles delivery of surreal imagery in the lyrics.
7.) “Fill My World”
The opening riff is similar to “Sweet Child O’ Mine” if one was to compare, but more melodic. I hate to make the comparison, but that’s just where my mind went and that’s were it stops. Myles sings a beautiful ballad with incredible vocals on this one, great job Myles Kennedy! If you question whether Myles Kennedy is a premiere vocalist, listen to this track as it removes any doubt! The more I listened to the album, “Fill My World” moved up as one of my favorites. This is a great song!
Guitar Break 9/10
8.) “April Fool”
This song brings the recording back to rock and roll with an intro that rivals “Welcome To The Jungle.” I’m sorry, but I hear what I hear and my appetite for heavy rock and roll is always there. The video is below, give it a listen and see if you don’t agree?
My second favorite track on the album.
Guitar Break 10/10 (Slash!)
9.) “Call off the Dogs”
Continuing with hard rock n roll, this track is probably the hardest rocking number on the album. Fast tempo and in your face! Also great bass guitar break is in this song.
Guitar Break 7/10
10.) “Fall Back to Earth”
The final track of the album and the lasting impression, which starts out with just a wailing guitar leading into Myles vocals in being sung in ballad mode. Again, Myles shows off his high vocal range in this track.
This might be the most complex song on the album with the tempo changes throughout making it another favorite for me. My first impression was just WOW, what a powerful song.
Guitar Break 10/10
As a reviewer, I guess I start out critically and get beaten down to what I am ingesting to report it fairly. Overall, I like this album more every time I listen to it. The songs lyrically take you through the emotions and feelings of being in a one on one relationship. Each song dissecting the ups and downs from the initial infatuation through betrayal and lies, to ultimately the end, but not in that order. “Spirit Love” describing the infatuation experience as the endorphins go wild in a new relationship, leading to “Fill My World” after the break up.
Slash featuring Myles Kennedy and The Conspirators have been together a decade and this is their forth release. They wanted to get as close to a live recording as possible recording in Nashville, Tennesee at RCA Studio A with Dave Cobb, and they have achieved just that. There are three videos below that were recorded about the making of “4” and how Covid impacted the band during recording secession. Watch the videos as they add to the overall story.
This is an outstanding record that grows on you with each listen. Slash and Myles are at the pinnacles of their music careers and “4” is the perfect statement to that!
9/10
1.) “The River Is Rising”
2.) “Whatever Gets You By”
3.) “C’est La Vie”
4.) “The Path Less Followed”
5.) “Actions Speak Louder Than Words”
6.) “Spirit Love”
7.) “Fill My World”
8.) “April Fool”
9.) “Call off the Dogs”
10.) “Fall Back to Earth”
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Photographer and Editor/Founder of AllMusicMagazine.com. My love of live music has taken me to incredible experiences with the top bands of all time in stadium shows to the smallest venues with equally inspiring musicians. Using the medium of photography and my publication, these memories will last forever.
