Customer Reviews

River

5 star:		(8)
4 star:		(3)
3 star:		(3)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

This album rocks, when i first put it in, i didnt know what to expect, as you know Izzy's style changes from album to album, but by the time the first song was a quarter way into it, i was hooked. And the rest of the album didnt let me down at all, i didnt know what to expect from the two Reggae songs on there, but i must say that they are not too shabby, i guess Izzy can do whatever he wants to and pull it off. I would greatly reccomend any Izzy fan on picking this one up, you wont be disapointed....

"River" is certainly not a bad album, especially not if you prefer Izzy Stradlin at his hardest rocking and most punk-ish (which I don't). But it is far from being as musically versatile (or indeed as melodic) as his two best records, "117°" and the superb, still-to-be-recognized classic "Izzy Stradlin And The Ju Ju Hounds".

I prefer Izzy's previous blend of rock n' roll, hard rock and acoustic blues-rock, which you'll find on the two albums mentioned above, but "River" has its moments as well. There's just a little bit too far between them, and most of these cuts, while not bad, aren't all that memorable.

(Izzy's latest album, "On Down The Road", recaptures most of his early-90s glory, however. Try listening to that one - provided you already have "Ju Ju Hounds"!)

izzy sounds like a jam-band hedging towards rocknroll, the problem is that izzy doesn't tour.. its the equivalent of buying a phish album.. it just would sound so much better live + with improv. this album is good. its just not great. THIS IS A THREE STAR ALBUM. it seems to me amazon reviewers tend to be overly negative or positive.

this is an album you can throw on laboring or boozing. there are no standout songs, but nothing [is bad]. "underground" is probably the best. the reggae is decent, but izzy is no marley.

First i would like to say for those who have not listened to any of izzy's recored before that : this one is for rock n' roll " users " only. it have a positive happy feeling with road stories and a rust alla "faces"/"stones" tradition way. for the izzy fans i would say it is the most confident and happy recored that izzy made. izzy's vocals sound for the first time as good as to the job he did on the guns n roses tracks something for some reason izzy did not achive till now. the band is great and as on any of izzy's recordes they sound like they are enjoying every minuth. the recored got two reagge tracks and it is very refreshing , i think " shall walk " will be a classic reagge tune , if someone will pay attention for it on hawai beaches. for me this is the best recored izzy have done and the warm sound of ian mclagan (ex-"faces") keyboards is serving the feeling as good as it can be. for the other music lovers around which pluged into electronic music it is a verry good chance to step out from the "bubble" for a minute take a fresh pill and remember where and why it all started long a go ... the feeling of been free. this one is recomended have fun!

Just purchased River & really enjoyed it. However, this is the 1st album of Izzy's where I found 2 songs I didn't really care for. I won't say which they were b/c I think others should judge for themselves. I just didn't care for the way his voice sounded on the 2 songs. I usually love his voice & I love the way his voice sounded on the rest of this album. His voice did sound different on this whole album, though. There are a few instrumental songs on this album. I recommend that if you really like Izzy Stradlin, you should purchase any of his work you can, b/c someone claiming to know Izzy, warned that Izzy's 2010 album maybe his last. This may just be wild speculation on the part of an unreliable source. It upset me enough, though, that I felt the need to warn people in case it is true.

I'm not a big Guns N' Roses fan, so I don't really care that this doesn't sound like Guns N' Roses part 2. The songs have a very commercial sound which at times make me feel a little awkward while listening to this album. Having said that, I'm surprised that Izzy's solo material isn't played on the radio. It's a mix of blues, country, soft rock, and even reggae. There are no real standout tracks, in my opinion, but it's a solid album hurt by poor production. 3.5/5

This album has one really rocking song at the beginning "Jump In Now" and then it's all down hill from there.

The two reggae songs, "Shall Walk" and "Run-In", are cool and interesting but not enough to legitimize this album's steep import price.

Hey Izzy, you are supposed to be a rock and roll guitarist, so cut out this hokey country/Rolling Stones thing and do a rock album for once.

Izzy Stradlin's first album with the Ju Ju Hounds was very good, underated completely, one of the best rock albums of the 1990s, but it's been all downhill since for Izzy.

If you can get this album used and cheap, then go ahead, otherwise save your money.

izzy is the man! that's all i gotta say. this album is incredible. the first song jumps out and just knocks you on your butt with it's riff. let's face it folks, izzy doesn't do what others do like go into rap/rock or break out into electronic beats. he keeps it real, and the smell of the amps is sooo beautiful! i must admit i wasn't too crazy about "ride on", it had a few cool tunes, but this one has a much better vibe to it! don't be afraid... it's just real rock n' roll. axl take note.... you ain't gonna be nothin' without the man with the songs! jump into this river and enjoy it for what it is: pure unalduterated rock n' roll! p.s.- anybody who can break out and do straight up reggae and it be real ranks right up there with the stones, clash! jump in now!!!

This album is Izzy Stradlin's fourth effort. "Jump In Now" is the opening track on this album . It starts with raw guitar riff and continues with a lot of guitar parts through all the song. "Head On Out" is the next track, Ian McLagan added wonderful keyboards touch on this song. "River" comes in next, this album titled track has great melody and acoustical sounds. Next, "Far Below Me Now" shows Izzy's influenced from one of his favorite bands, the Rolling Stones. This song is one of my favorites. "What I Told You" is the fifth track. Again, it has a lot of nice guitar parts. "Get Away" comes next. It is simply cool, classic, mid-tempo rock n' roll song. An amazing, wonderful guitar work continues on the next song, "Underground". "Shall Walk" and "Run-In" are the two reggae songs on this album. Although I'm not into reggae, but these two songs have caught my attention. They are not so bad. Between these two reggae songs, I like "Run-In" more. "Feelin' Alright" is the last track on this album. It is an acoustic guitar based song. This is my another favorite song. A nice closing track for this album.

Once again, Izzy Stradlin has proofed that he is one of the best musician and rock n' roll songwriter through this album. Overall, I will rated this higher than "Ride On" but lower than "117°". Anyway, I may change my mind later. "River" could be my favorite Izzy's album. Oh well...

Another concrete album from the ever-evolving Izzy Stradlin. There isn't another member of another major rock band that has achieved this much in a solo career. Ironically, many people aren't even aware that one of the founding members and main songwriters of Guns N Roses has put out so many albums. Izzy really sticks it to the commercial music industry. No touring. No promotion. With Izzy it's all about songwriting and music; two things lost in today's industry. For old GNR fans, there's no reason to wait for anything else; Izzy's got enough music to satisfy all of us. Just need to seek it out.