Customer Reviews

Sick

5 star:		(8)
4 star:		(4)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

"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.

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.

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.

duff sounds like a stripped down Axl not an insult but no frills vox and no slash solos but simple good hard rockin tunez.wish most post GNR project had this stablity to them.

I am so glad I bought this CD for the summer of 2009.

I was very impressed, more than I thought I'd be, with this CD, and have played it many times in my car while driving (great to blast on the highways).

I'd definitely recommend this to anybody who likes rock n roll music.

1st this cd contains a raw guitar sound unfortunately slash on the last VR cd didn't manage it
what i like about this cd is that its full of true rock n roll songs songs that i got into rock because of
what im trying to say is .. as follows .. rock music was made originally by rock fans with bands created to speak whats in their hearts and a method to influence others - what rock had turned into since the real bands had walked the earth is something like what britney and co or producing
but not this album
duff had made the album of the year
and im sure thats in 10 yrs (you can email after 9 more yrs) i will still be listening to this cd this cd goes straight to my collection of great album albums like what gnr made
my advice to all my bros and sis or rock - go and buy this cd we need to support real music
rock on

nice little ROCK album by duff and the band.shows duffs punk rock influences.doesn't sound like guns n roses nor does it sound like velvet revolver. just a nice rock album

Duff is a great singer. I don't know why Velvet Revolver keeps looking for a replacement when one that sings better than Scott Weiland is already in the band!

I find this album to be the best rock release thus far this year. Great songs, great musicianship and great vocals. Duff switches to rhythm guitar on this and is the front man and he really shines. I like this album much better than the last VR album 'Libertad'. The musicianship is great. Mike Squires is the best "unknown" guitar player out there as is Jeff Rouse on bass. Geoff Reading is an amazing drummer ; he and Rouse make a tight rhythm section. Duff McKagan is a talented musician and a great singer; I say ditch VR and make Loaded priority. Buy this album and go see this band live ; you will not be disappointed.

3.5 Stars

Taking a break from Velvet Revolver while the band searches for a new singer, Duff McKagan is back with his band Loaded for their sophomore album "Sick" (2009). To get right to the point, Duff's new CD is pretty much what you would expect from McKagan at this point, sleazy hard-rock with an element of punk. This album is solid, with no clunkers to be found, with songs like "Sleaze Factory" and "I see through you" offering fans vintage McKagan that they have come to expect at this point.

While "Sick" is a good CD and should please fans, it unfortunately falls short of Duff's prior work. The totally underrated (and still unreleased) "Beautiful Disease" (1999) and Loaded's first CD "Dark Days" (2001) were superior efforts -the former probably the best release of any GN'R alumni (and also featuring Slash and Izzy) and the latter a brooding, gloomy near-masterpiece. "Sick," while a good, hard rocking album, doesn't have anything quite as cool as anything from those releases. So while "Sick" may not be up-to-par, it's still definitely worth checking out if you're a fan.

Joining McKagan (who plays guitar in lieu of bass) are Mike Squires, (guitar) Jeff Rouse, (bass) and Geoff Reading (drums).