So now that Libertad is officially released...

emily18

it wasnt really what i was expecting...it didn't blow me away, but i gotta admit that it does kick ass.
i'll have to listen to it a few more times through before i make my final decision though

Ved in the Head91

I'm really surprised how many people (including here) are thinking that Libertad is better than Contraband. I just don't see it. Yeah, the production is better, and Scott sounds better than ever IMO, but I think the songs are REALLY sub-standard. There is really nothing that blows me away. I mean yes, Gravedancer and She Builds Quick Machines are great songs, but everything else is so run of the mill. Even "The last Fight", which I'm sure will be played into the ground as a huge hit, is just OK. Like I said, Scott sounds fantastic (maybe he's finally healthy or whatever) but Slash is really missing from this record. I mean, the most memoralby melodic solo on the whole record is in American Man, which is disappointing because the rest of the song is not that good - By comparison, the best solo on Contraband was You've Got No Right, which is an amazing song. Plus there were other memorable solo's on the first album like Fall to Pieces, Slither, Big Machine, and Dirty Little Thing and so forth...I know, a solo does not make a song, but Slash did not challenge himself on this new album. With him being one of my favorite guitar players, it's disappointing. I honestly get the most enjoyment out of that goofy hidden track at the end...the band is actually challenging themselves playing C&W, and it actually works.

I'm actually surprised how many people knock Contraband, too. I thought it was a great kick in the ass when it came out.

bestsane

So for this new album do they implement that shitty copyright technology? I'm so fucking pissed that my Contraband can't be copied for my car stereo. What a fuck!

Rhinocerous Surprise

Could someone please PM me Gravedancer? It's the only song on the album I really like, and iTunes are only selling it as part of the album.:(

dCowboyPJ

Album of the year!!!

I was a huge VR fan since day one. I loved Contraband, and I didn't think it would be possible to make a better album then that. And they blew me away with Libertad. Its amazing.

Just Sixteen, Mary Mary, and For A Brother are my favourite tracks.

surferdude

bestsane wrote:

So for this new album do they implement that shitty copyright technology? I'm so fucking pissed that my Contraband can't be copied for my car stereo. What a fuck!

NO, thank God they did not. I actually emailed their management company and tore them a new one about it. Never received a response but I think that copyright crap is pretty much a thing of the past.

surferdude

LedZepFan wrote:

I have to say though, "Gravedance" is amazing. Absolute peak of the album. Really blew me away. Again, reminds me of STP. I hope Weiland goes more in this direction later on with his solo album and whatever he does next.

I whole heartedly agree with this. Great, great song. The album is growing on me with every listen, only twice but I think she's a keeper. Can't wait to see them out on the road. The iTines version has two additional songs I may buy, one a cover of Talking Head's Psycho Killer.

vedderfan6

DCGARDEN wrote:

VR are beginning to sound more and more like a re-incarnation of STP, and I wish they sounded more like Guns N Roses, personally.

Thats a good thing because STP were a kick ass band.

Oh and by the way kick ass CD.

pearljam0000

I'm really liking Last Fight and American Man right now.

Shawn Smith Collective

I really disliked Contraband...upon first listening to the new album, I liked it a lot...gave it a second listening today...still enjoyed it, but some songs came off less enjoyable the second time around. I'm hoping the third time's a charm...either way, A LOT of potential coming through and Weiland's voice is incredible on this record!

thecrackedjack

pjny wrote:

I really disliked Contraband...upon first listening to the new album, I liked it a lot...gave it a second listening today...still enjoyed it, but some songs came off less enjoyable the second time around. I'm hoping the third time's a charm...either way, A LOT of potential coming through and Weiland's voice is incredible on this record!

I to disliked Contraband upon first hearing. Some really good songs on there now that I look back upon it.

A Surprise Left

The first couple of times I listened to it I was really let down, I thought Contraband was a much better record. Its starting to grow on me, its a very Weiland dominated record I think (even though he is low in the mix) as far as the sound goes....very stp like. I prefer Contraband at this stage...I do love Gravedancer.

Brain of Sam

I only liked 5 songs on Contraband so I'm sure I won't be down with Libertad.

DOSW

Ved in the Head91 wrote:

I'm really surprised how many people (including here) are thinking that Libertad is better than Contraband. I just don't see it. Yeah, the production is better, and Scott sounds better than ever IMO, but I think the songs are REALLY sub-standard. There is really nothing that blows me away. I mean yes, Gravedancer and She Builds Quick Machines are great songs, but everything else is so run of the mill. Even "The last Fight", which I'm sure will be played into the ground as a huge hit, is just OK. Like I said, Scott sounds fantastic (maybe he's finally healthy or whatever) but Slash is really missing from this record. I mean, the most memoralby melodic solo on the whole record is in American Man, which is disappointing because the rest of the song is not that good - By comparison, the best solo on Contraband was You've Got No Right, which is an amazing song. Plus there were other memorable solo's on the first album like Fall to Pieces, Slither, Big Machine, and Dirty Little Thing and so forth...I know, a solo does not make a song, but Slash did not challenge himself on this new album. With him being one of my favorite guitar players, it's disappointing. I honestly get the most enjoyment out of that goofy hidden track at the end...the band is actually challenging themselves playing C&W, and it actually works.

I'm actually surprised how many people knock Contraband, too. I thought it was a great kick in the ass when it came out.

I see what you're saying, but I think the fact that Slash isn't in the spotlight in every single song isn't a bad thing considering that the music on Libertad doesn't really lend itself to that kind of thing. The music is too fast-paced and "riffy" to really accommodate extended guitar solos. I think Slash excels on Libertad, but his awesomeness comes in his subtle interplay with Kushner rather than his usual wah-drenched solos.

By the way I also loved Contraband, but I think there were a lot more duds on that album than there are on Libertad.

deadmosquito

A Surprise Left wrote:

The first couple of times I listened to it I was really let down, I thought Contraband was a much better record. Its starting to grow on me, its a very Weiland dominated record I think (even though he is low in the mix) as far as the sound goes....very stp like. I prefer Contraband at this stage...I do love Gravedancer.

that's kinda how i feel right now too. but i've only heard the album once all the way through so i need to keep listening i think.

jnine

I saw them last night at their "secret" show at the Whiskey and the new songs are great live, particularly Get Out the Door. I think the cd is one that grows on you the more you listen to it, although I can't understand the inclusion of the ELO cover when Psycho Killer is a much better cover and Messages is a better original song. I guess they thought it fit in better thematically. They didn't do it at the Whiskey, but they did at their Avalon club show and I thought it was just for fun, I was pretty surprised it made the cd.

LedZepFan

I agree with DOSW on Slash's guitar work...I was pretty happy to not hear a speedy, vaguely metal-esque solo in every song. The solos in songs like "THe Last Fight","American Man" and especially "Grave Dancer" are very melodic and very fitting. He's doing some very cool, subtle augmenting in these songs instead of just flat out showing off.

DCGARDEN

vedderfan6 wrote:

Thats a good thing because STP were a kick ass band.

Oh and by the way kick ass CD.

Loved STP, believe me. I've got every album and I think Weiland is brilliant in coming up with melodies, but I guess my point was only that I had higher hopes for a Weiland / Slash combination than a re-vamped STP sounding band. These songs sound very little like Slash's best work while in GNR.
His solos on Contraband were excellent, but this album....I don't know...just bores the shit out of me.

muppet

Never really heard Velvet Revolver before. I'm only a passive fan of GnR and Stone Temple Pilots, but I saw Libertad in the shops so I thought I might as well try it out. Very surprised: I always viewed Velvet Revolver as a very coperate, just-in-it-for-the-money band (the VH1 audition thing, the eratic stage clothing) but I think this record is very, very good. I literally can't get She Builds Quick Machines out of my head. It's got a great hard rocking sound and the lead singers vocals are brilliant.

Think you've got a convertor here!

D.C.

this cd is a gigantic pile of shit, not as bad as cornells solo, but close