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Velvet Revolver, Contraband
When Survivors Of "Creative Differences" Collide

Producer: Josh Abraham and Velvet Revolver
Label: BMG

Reviewed by William Miller

The boys in Velvet Revolver - ex Stone Temple Pilots' frontman Scott Weiland, Slash, Duff McKagan, Matt Sorum of Guns N Roses, guitarist Dave Kushner - picked a damn appropriate name for their supergroup. Here's why:

1. Continues a long, honorable tradition of phallic references in rock 'n' roll.

2. Plays with the fact they're Axl Rose-free, but still packin' heat.

3. Most importantly, their winning debut Contraband is a virtual arsenal of hard rock styles from the past twenty or so years. Along with the hallmark sounds of their respective former groups, you get hair metal histrionics, thunderous grunge lumbering, post-punk obtuseness, and power ballad schmaltz. Hell, the guys even throw in a few choice Beatlisms for good measure.

You could say everything was against them: Weiland's neverending drug busts, a whole lotta hype to live up to, Axl no doubt sticking many needles into Slash voodoo dolls. And yet in spite of all this turmoil or perhaps because of it, Contraband blasts through the haze and forever eradicates "former" from these guys' business cards. Yes, it could be argued the band lacks their "own" sound, but those arguments don't hold up long in face of the music.

"Sucker Train Blues" , the leadoff track, is worth the price of admission alone. An integrity retaining update of "Welcome to the Jungle" complete with police siren - "Blues" is a sleaze dripping beast of a song. "Headspace" sounds like vintage STP. And "Loving the Alien" is a poignant ballad/exorcism from Weiland that looks to the past and to a (hopeful) future.

Along with the tunes themselves, the other thing going for Contraband is the sense of renewal for all concerned. These guys have been written off so many times, you'd think they wouldn't dare whisper after the legendary howl of their long ago success. The fact their reply to being labeled "over" is such a strong one makes it all the more sweeter.

It's actually quite touching really.

Rating: (3 out of 4 stars)