Sick

Duff McKagan | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (April 7, 2009)
• Original Release Date: 2009
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: Century Media
• ASIN: B001T6OPDM
• Also Available in: Audio CD  |  MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (13 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #36,277 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Track Listings

1. Sick

2. Sleaze Factory

3. Flatline

4. IOU

5. The Slide

6. Translucent

7. Mothers Day

8. I See Through You

9. Forgive Me

10. No Shame

11. Blind Date Girl

12. Wasted Heart

13. No More

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Take the Pill, April 25, 2009

By 

W. Lawrence "W. Lawrence" (VA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Sick (Audio CD)

"Sick" is the latest from Duff McKagan and his hard-hitting band Loaded. It's a surprise disc, but not a surprise in that it's excellent since the other Loaded CDs are awesome as well. Play this disc loud from beginning to end.

The Wasted Heart EP makes up the majority of top songs on "Sick." Some of the key highlights: The title track "Sick" cuts right to the bone with heavy bass and guitars. Another song that demonstrates complex song writing, "Sleaze Factory" sounds totally rock top 20 and gives us some insight into what GNR would and could sound like today if the original group were together. "Translucent" showcases bass player Jeff Rouse on vocals in a timeless song that sounds like arena rock from any of the last few decades. In perhaps the deepest song on the album, "Mother's Day" an alternative sounding ballad, is reminiscent of Bowie. "No Shame" could be another top 20 rock song for sure. "No More" demonstrates McKagan's diverse influences, styles, and shows us why he was so critical in one of the biggest bands in rock history. All of the other songs are fun but loud with Mike Squires playing a mean guitar and Geoff Reading blasting the drums.

Duff McKagan's work really shows maturity since "Believe in Me" and he's continued a long tradition of rock songs with a punk bite. Not only is the song writing sharp, but his vocals are better than most popular contemporary lead singers and he has a superb band beside him on this one. If you like his work with Velvet Revolver you'll love this disc. There's no debate, this is one of the best rock albums of the year.

2 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Fantastic!, April 7, 2009

By 

K. A. Daffarn - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Sick (Audio CD)

Those who only know Loaded from Dark Days may well find themselves surprised by this album. Whilst the band still lean towards the same somewhat dark subject matter for many of their songs Sick is a much less melancholy, more upbeat approach.

The title track is possibly the oldest on here, having seen live performances back before Velvet Revolver entered the picture, but it's great to finally have a recorded version and it makes a great album opener, very energetic. Other highlights include The Slide which is an interesting new approach to one of Duff's favourite song subjects and quite possibly the albums darkest moment, Translucent which features Jeff Rouse on vocals (letting the bassist sing? What is that about?) and a chorus so catching it could even qualify as 'radio friendly', but in a good way. Mothers Day is quite simply beautiful, if somewhat heart wrenching, Forgive Me returns to the familiar tone of Duff's earlier solo works. Probably the only flaw is right at the end where the energetic No More closes out the album; as their earlier EP showed the beautiful ballad Wasted Heart would have made a better closer, winding things down instead of working you up again.

2 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Sick will probably lie under the radar for some time, April 7, 2009

By 

Seth R (MA) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Sick (Audio CD)

Duff McKagan's Loaded has reassembled seven years after their studio debut Dark Days (and only prior studio full-length) and ten years after forming following the collapse of the monumental Guns N' Roses era. Even to the Velvet Revolver fan base, this is likely news to practically everyone. There are so many rumors and so much associated hype surrounding the quest for a new singer to front Velvet Revolver that Sick will probably lie under the radar for some time. But with the super group amidst a changing period, it's the perfect time for McKagan to make some music of his own and get on the map. Even Slash is working on a solo project of his own.

Going back to Velvet Revolver for a moment, everyone expects a second-coming of Guns N' Roses, but Loaded is actually more suitable of the tag. They're more ragged and rock and roll than Velvet Revolver has ever been. It's just that McKagan and three guys no one knows won't get as much attention and play because of who they are... or rather, who they aren't.

Moving on to Sick, this is even better than Dark Days, which was reasonably good for a side project debut. The sound is a little bluesier this time around, but still maintains punk and rock tones. If only the entire album were like the first half, though. The first six songs are all fast-paced and rockin', essentially what should be expected. But the second half's songs vary in style - "Mother's Day" is a ballad, "I See Through You" has a punk lining, "No More" is grounded with a funky bass line, etc.

The opener/title track is hasty and a perfect way to kick things off. And "The Slide" would be a welcomed choice as an alternate opener. It's not as sleazy, but what makes it so strong is McKagan's lack of range - it actually works in the song's favor because there's nothing fancy about the riffing and drumming. Throw it all together and it's pretty catchy. But speaking of range, "Translucent" is perplexing. Is that Duff? Why can't he be like that every song? You can feel some emotion and power there, which is impressive for him. The only truly lacking aspect of Sick is a guitar lead. There really isn't any soloing, and it doesn't necessarily set the band back, but a solid lead would do nicely.

Is this a serious band to stick around, though? The answer lies in the fate of Velvet Revolver.