Slash/Myles Kennedy/Conspirators Thread v. The River Is Rising (new single out)

[Anguyen92]

All right.  Since there's a Mark Tremonti solo project thread and that I did not see a Slash thread in the search engine, I might as well create this since this is a project that Myles Kennedy is doing during Alter Bridge's off-time.

All right, this band started in 2010 as a roughly last-min touring band in support of Slash's self-titled album.  They played songs from that album, Velvet Revolver songs, GNR songs, Slash's Snakepit songs.  This has Slash has lead guitar (duh!).  Myles Kennedy on lead vocals and occasional rhythem guitars.  Todd Kerns on bass and backup vocals.  Brent Fitz on drums.   

Anywho, as time progresses and the band found that they got good chemistry with a lot of room to develop, they dove in and created and released Apocalyptic Love in 2012 and did a big world tour on this.  Now in 2014, they dove in and going to release their new album, "World on Fire" in September.  The single is already out.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ybJHEgk2FBw

In July, this band is starting a tour to open for Aerosmith in the States with a few headlining shows in between with and a headlining tour in Europe in November to actually start supporting the album World on Fire.  I may actually go to a show in Temecula, CA at a small theater in a casino.

All right, well, that was my 1st crack at a band OP here in this forum.  I hope it's good. 

Edit: Oh wait, I forgot to describe what the sound is.  It's mainly hard rock.  Somewhat in the veins of GNR and Velvet Revolver, but not really.  Maybe.

[mikeyd23]

Hey! So glad to see a thread for this, thanks for making it!

I've been a pretty big Alter Bridge fan since their first album and Myles Kennedy quickly became one of my favorite vocalists in the business today, so I've been following his work with Slash since their first two song collaborations together on Slash's first solo record.

I've been a Slash fan for a long time too and I totally love Myles' voice, all his work with AB and with The Mayfield Four, so I'm probably biased but I've enjoyed their collaborative work so far. Starlight and Back From Cali were solid songs and Apocalyptic Love was an enjoyable record as well.

Just listened to the new single, and I like it! Nothing ground-breaking but if you like Myles and Slash's approach and style it is great!

Anguyen92 what did you think of AL? Do you have high expectations for the new album?  Those Real to Reel videos got me pretty pumped.

[Anguyen92]

I honestly did not quite get AL at first.  I digged Anastasia and Far and Away (the only song for me that I thought they were going to do the album based on due to how well they created Starlight).  Overall, it was a solid album once I get the approach that they were going for.

I think in terms of expectations for the new album, I'm not going really have that mentality this is going to be the most epic album of all time or stuff like that and see where that goes.  I had that approach for AB's Fortress and it helped me enjoy Fortress a lot.  I'm sure to enjoy this album as well, but I can't really have that ridiculous amount of expectations that could turn me off on the album when it is not needed.  That's what happened for me on AL and that's what happened on ABIII.  The single is off to a good start though.

[mikeyd23]

Yeah AL definitely had some highs and lows.  Couple great songs and a couple I consistently skip.  It grew on me over time though and I consider it to be solid album overall, its got a cool energy to it; a lot of which has to do with how it was recorded (basically live in the studio).

I agree I'm not trying to get to hyped for the new album, but like I said those darn Real to Reel videos teased me! 

Also, judging by the single streaming on YouTube, Elvis didn't do to bad with the sonics! The production sounds pretty solid and unique to this group rather than just sounding like AB.

[bosk1]

Myles is a VERY talented vocalist, but I do not care for his style.  And he seems to have developed a lot of bad habits immitating Axl.  But there are some good tracks on the latest album for sure.

[Anguyen92]

The next single, I believe, Bent to Fly has been played in various radio stations in Australia, I think, and someone from the GNR forum managed to get a link of the recording of it.  It is in the page of the thread I posted.  It's good.  I think the verses' tone reminds me a bit of GNR's Civil War.  Some people found it better than the 1st single.  Enjoy.

https://www.mygnrforum.com/index.php?/topic/203446-slashs-third-album-world-on-fire/page-149

[mikeyd23]

^^^

I like that song... A lot...

Myles sounds excellent here, great melodies and mood.  Also some really killer guitar tones going on in this song, from nice warm, rich lead sounds to some great layering with what sounds like a 12 string.

I think upon my first couple listens I enjoy this more than the first single. To me, this is up there with some of the better songs the Slash/Myles, etc... collaboration have come up with. 

Looking forward to the rest of the album, it sounds very promising judging by the first two songs released.

[Anguyen92]

Another song from these guys is out on Spotify.  "30 Years to Life."  They've been playing it live in their headlining shows when they weren't opening for Aerosmith in the last few months.  It's a tad slower in the opening than the live version, from what I watched it live, but it is still pretty good.  It could be one of my fave five tracks of the album.

[mikeyd23]

Just checked it out on Spotify, its definitely a solid tune.  Slash's guitar work is nice throughout the song, nothing really groundbreaking for him as a player, but he's playing well.  Myles is killing it on this track, his vocals with Todd's on the pre-choruses and choruses sounded great.

[Anguyen92]

All right, bumping since the album is out.  I think, overall, it's pretty good.  Bent to Fly, 30 Years to Life, Battleground, The Unholy, and The Dissident are my early favorites.  It's a pretty long album, though, with 17 songs and about 80 min. of content, but it's got a lot of good various stuff that is able to showcase not just Slash and/or Myles but pretty much the whole band.  Kudos to these guys.

[Bolsters]

Yeah, I was surprised by this. I didn't have any expectations, I hadn't even heard the previous album by Slash and this band before hearing the new one, but I saw that there was a new Slash album and figured it was worth a stream. Turned out to be a pretty decent album.

[mikeyd23]

Digging the new album a lot. 17 songs is a lot to digest, but so far I'm really enjoying it.

[wolfking]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=lYuNM7pmMgE

For anyone interested Slash performed at the Aussie NRL final.  Pointless really, Slash performing to a backing track, but still.

Anyway, terrific game seeing South Sydney grab the title for the first time in 43 years.

[bl5150]

Finally listening to the new disc - Slash has really done a good job here and I rate the album pretty highly.  Unfortunately I find it only takes a few tracks before Myles' distinctive vocal delivery starts to grate on my nerves a bit.

Really good all the same.

[Kotowboy]

Digging the new album a lot. 17 songs is a lot to digest, but so far I'm really enjoying it.

I don't have OCD but something really rubs me up the wrong way with odd numbered tracks

[JayOctavarium]

I didn't even know this was out.

Omagerd!

[mikeyd23]

Bumping this thread. The boys did a special with Direct TV and Guitar Center...

"Guitar Center and Direct TV present "SLASH featuring Myles Kennedy and The Conspirators LIVE" on the Sunset Strip on November 7th at 9pm on Direct TV's AUDIENCE (channel 239)."

I don't have Direct TV so I wasn't able to catch the whole performance, but Guitar Center put a few songs up from it on their YouTube channel:

Bent to Fly:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x0ctImlIThY

Nightrain:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SfvfHD3LS4k

Bands sounding really tight!

[Anguyen92]

Well, long bump, but I hear word from a credible insider that runs the Slash France fan site thing that they are currently writing up on another album before going to do their US headlining tour to support World On Fire.  Normally, as an Alter Bridge fan first, I would be a bit concerned if this album gets released before AB V, but I keep hearing assurance that AB V will come out in 2016  before Slash/Myles/Conspirators next album (which is dated to be in 2017, maybe, who knows.).

As for this next album.  Hard to say how they would approach it.  Once they did something ambitious like fill the disc and do 17 songs, covering a decent amount of ground in terms of style, as they did with World On Fire, which still holds up well on numerous repeats, anything is up in the air.

[mikeyd23]

BIG BUMP

New Slash/Myles record is out today.

Listened through a couple times, really solid stuff - nothing crazy or ground breaking but if you like Slash's playing and/or Myles' voice its a good collection of catchy straight-ahead rock songs.

[Stadler]

I don't know if it is by design, or the market has changed in the wake of the Guns'n'Roses juggernaut, but the short tour they're doing is playing some SMALL places.   Electric Factory in Philly, and they're doing the WOlf Den in Mohegan Sun, which is a free show (though not for the band; the casino pays the act and makes their money on booze and gambling; you know, the American way).   

I saw them on the World On Fire tour on one of their headlining gigs in between opening for Aerosmith, and it RULES.  To see Slash and Myles in the Electric Factory - where I saw G'n'R on the "club tour" they did for Chinese Democracy - is a treat and a half. 

[mikeyd23]

I don't know if it is by design, or the market has changed in the wake of the Guns'n'Roses juggernaut, but the short tour they're doing is playing some SMALL places.   Electric Factory in Philly, and they're doing the WOlf Den in Mohegan Sun, which is a free show (though not for the band; the casino pays the act and makes their money on booze and gambling; you know, the American way).   

I saw them on the World On Fire tour on one of their headlining gigs in between opening for Aerosmith, and it RULES.  To see Slash and Myles in the Electric Factory - where I saw G'n'R on the "club tour" they did for Chinese Democracy - is a treat and a half.

Yeah I noticed they were playing small places, unfortunately none near me, I'd love to see this band in a small setting. I'll be seeing Myles solo after Thanksgiving though, in a real small place, so that should be cool.

Check out their new record Stads, I think you'd really like it -

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W1LaQ68tkDg&list=PLoY-_hPW6JZu6szwXXLHIqXb8q82KmMx_&index=3

[Samsara]

Stads,

I noticed that. That IS really cool.

Just starting my first listen now. I thought World on Fire was too long, and had too much filler. And I see this record is much shorter. Hopefully it is a better effort.

But my wife said something recently (like me, she's a huge fan of Myles work) that resonated -- Myles' talents are wasted in a band with Slash. I mean, while it is cool to have a more mainstream hard rock outlet, it is so far beneath what he's capable of, both as a writer and a singer. I told her, my guess is, it is just an outlet to have a good time, with one of his musical heroes. Nothing wrong with that at all. But personally, I do hope this is the last record Myles does with Slash. I'd prefer him to work on AB and his solo stuff.

[mikeyd23]

Stads,

I noticed that. That IS really cool.

Just starting my first listen now. I thought World on Fire was too long, and had too much filler. And I see this record is much shorter. Hopefully it is a better effort.

But my wife said something recently (like me, she's a huge fan of Myles work) that resonated -- Myles' talents are wasted in a band with Slash. I mean, while it is cool to have a more mainstream hard rock outlet, it is so far beneath what he's capable of, both as a writer and a singer. I told her, my guess is, it is just an outlet to have a good time, with one of his musical heroes. Nothing wrong with that at all. But personally, I do hope this is the last record Myles does with Slash. I'd prefer him to work on AB and his solo stuff.

I think that's spot on. This record is not Myles' best work, lyrically or melodically. But it is good for what it is - a fun rock n roll record. His voice does sound really good over classic rock style songs as opposed to metal style stuff.

I think World on Fire did have some filler, but I love that record, probably my favorite effort from this group. I don't think Living the Dream will top it but it's definitely a really solid record. One thing that keeps sticking out to me while listening is how good Slash still sounds. There are a ton of KILLER riffs and solos on this record.

[Samsara]

One thing that keeps sticking out to me while listening is how good Slash still sounds. There are a ton of KILLER riffs and solos on this record.

I'm onto "Mind Your Manners" now. (I haven't listened to anything prior to this first initial spin of the album.) You're spot-on about that. Tons of riffs and solos. Which is cool. Because G 'NR is not going to provide a guy like Slash, who is pretty prolific with new stuff, a good enough outlet.

I'd like to see Slash partner up with a new singer soon. I like this idea of Myles and the Conspirators, now maybe bring in another dude, with another vibe, and feature him for a couple of records. Be a cool way to do a solo career outside of Guns.

[mikeyd23]

One thing that keeps sticking out to me while listening is how good Slash still sounds. There are a ton of KILLER riffs and solos on this record.

I'm onto "Mind Your Manners" now. (I haven't listened to anything prior to this first initial spin of the album.) You're spot-on about that. Tons of riffs and solos. Which is cool. Because G 'NR is not going to provide a guy like Slash, who is pretty prolific with new stuff, a good enough outlet.

I'd like to see Slash partner up with a new singer soon. I like this idea of Myles and the Conspirators, now maybe bring in another dude, with another vibe, and feature him for a couple of records. Be a cool way to do a solo career outside of Guns.

Oddly enough, I agree - even though I really like Myles with Slash. I think it would give Myles more time to focus on AB too, which would be good.

That said, it seems like Slash really, REALLY likes working with Myles and the other guys, which makes sense. He has had a tough time with "hard to handle" singers in the past both in GnR and VR, so working with a guy like Myles is probably a dream. A talented dude who can sing like crazy, has the look, and is incredibly easy to work with, humble, etc...

[Stadler]

Stads,

I noticed that. That IS really cool.

Just starting my first listen now. I thought World on Fire was too long, and had too much filler. And I see this record is much shorter. Hopefully it is a better effort.

But my wife said something recently (like me, she's a huge fan of Myles work) that resonated -- Myles' talents are wasted in a band with Slash. I mean, while it is cool to have a more mainstream hard rock outlet, it is so far beneath what he's capable of, both as a writer and a singer. I told her, my guess is, it is just an outlet to have a good time, with one of his musical heroes. Nothing wrong with that at all. But personally, I do hope this is the last record Myles does with Slash. I'd prefer him to work on AB and his solo stuff.

Deep respect, and I hope this is taken positively and to spur discussion, but I feel just the opposite, re: Slash and AB.  I think we agree on Myles solo stuff - the show I saw in NY was really, really, good - but I feel like AB is generic metal for the most part, and Slash is a more well-rounded player than Mark Tremonti, so the songs linger with me more.  I've slowly collected the AB albums - because I'm full-on the Myles train (he's probably my favorite frontman  in rock right now, though we'll see when Jay Buchanon comes around again) - but there's no "go to" songs on there like "Starlight", "Staring At The Sun", or "Not For Me". 

I can't remember the Slash song - it was on World On Fire - but I remember hearing it and thinking "Hey, this is pretty similar vocally and melodically to Metalingus".  When I played them back to back they weren't identical, but close enough and to hear the more "Aerosmith"-y, "Jimmy Page"-y work by Slash next to the sort of more "modern" - and in my view, generic - Tremonti work, it was no contest.   

I don't ever see Myles leaving AB - that's his main gig, and he does Slash when Mark does his solo stuff - and it's more likely Slash puts his solo thing on the back burner if Guns remains a "thing", but of all those related acts, it's Myles' and Slash's solo stuff that I look forward to the most.

Myles solo
Slash solo
Guns'n'Roses new stuff (this is more curiosity than anything else, and I passed on the $250/seat stadium circus live)
Alter Bridge
Tremonti solo

[Stadler]

Oh, and I think Velvet Revolver with Myles is one of the great lost opportunities in music (though I think at this point it would be overkill; just retire the VR name and be done with it).   

[mikeyd23]

Stads,

I noticed that. That IS really cool.

Just starting my first listen now. I thought World on Fire was too long, and had too much filler. And I see this record is much shorter. Hopefully it is a better effort.

But my wife said something recently (like me, she's a huge fan of Myles work) that resonated -- Myles' talents are wasted in a band with Slash. I mean, while it is cool to have a more mainstream hard rock outlet, it is so far beneath what he's capable of, both as a writer and a singer. I told her, my guess is, it is just an outlet to have a good time, with one of his musical heroes. Nothing wrong with that at all. But personally, I do hope this is the last record Myles does with Slash. I'd prefer him to work on AB and his solo stuff.

Deep respect, and I hope this is taken positively and to spur discussion, but I feel just the opposite, re: Slash and AB.  I think we agree on Myles solo stuff - the show I saw in NY was really, really, good - but I feel like AB is generic metal for the most part, and Slash is a more well-rounded player than Mark Tremonti, so the songs linger with me more.  I've slowly collected the AB albums - because I'm full-on the Myles train (he's probably my favorite frontman  in rock right now, though we'll see when Jay Buchanon comes around again) - but there's no "go to" songs on there like "Starlight", "Staring At The Sun", or "Not For Me". 

I can't remember the Slash song - it was on World On Fire - but I remember hearing it and thinking "Hey, this is pretty similar vocally and melodically to Metalingus".  When I played them back to back they weren't identical, but close enough and to hear the more "Aerosmith"-y, "Jimmy Page"-y work by Slash next to the sort of more "modern" - and in my view, generic - Tremonti work, it was no contest.   

I don't ever see Myles leaving AB - that's his main gig, and he does Slash when Mark does his solo stuff - and it's more likely Slash puts his solo thing on the back burner if Guns remains a "thing", but of all those related acts, it's Myles' and Slash's solo stuff that I look forward to the most.

Myles solo
Slash solo
Guns'n'Roses new stuff (this is more curiosity than anything else, and I passed on the $250/seat stadium circus live)
Alter Bridge
Tremonti solo

That point of view makes sense since you seem to be drawn more toward classic rock vibes. Good call on the Aerosmith vibes. This record strikes me as a modern version of Aerosmith as performed by Slash, Myles, and co.

[Samsara]

Stads,

I totally get where you are coming from. Obviously, I don't agree with labeling AB "generic metal," as it is FAR from that to my ear, but hey, it is what it is. I think your songs that you pointed out - Starlight, Staring at the Sun, and Not for Me -- while I like those, I don't nearly think of them as highly as I do classics like Blackbird, Words Darker Than Their Wings, or Show Me a Sign from AB.

We just prefer a different side of Myles' creative output, but we both love the talent and ability. I'm not nearly as fond of his solo album stylistically as you are. I think Love Can Only Heal is by far the best track on that record, and while I like the record as a whole, I don't LOVE it. I think I probably would have preferred his solo record that is on the shelf, which is more hard rock.

But the Myles solo TOUR -- man, that is pure live music heaven. Even songs I wasn't high on, they take on a new life live.

[Stadler]

Well, I'll be fair: "generic" isn't really the right word.   It's like the difference between Night Ranger and the 100 other bands of that time that had one hit ballad and otherwise didn't make it. Night Ranger were (and are) real players, and even if you don't like the music, you have to sort of respect their abilities.  Some of the other one-hit wonders? Maybe not so much. 

There's no doubt that AB are talented, quality players, and for my money, a song like "Cry of Achilles" is as good as it gets.  But each style has it's tropes, right?  And like Mikey said, I gravitate to that 70's riff-rock vibe, more than the 90's metal vibe (I always refer to that chugging, growling E-string rhythm, like the part right after the first "scream" and into the verses to the Sons of Apollo song "Coming Home" as the example of that). 

What's this about a "solo record on the shelf"?  I know he was working on material for a while and then went in a different direction with the lyrical focus, but did he actually record that early material?

Also, what about the Mayfield Four stuff? He played a song or two of their solo, but it was all in that stripped-back acoustic style, so I have no idea what it sounded like originally.  Is it worth seeking out?  Is it even possible to seek out?

[Anguyen92]

The Mayfield Four stuff is definitely worth checking out.  The Second Skin album, to me, is as good as it gets when it comes to the post-grunge stuff.  Don't think you can find a physical copy of it nowadays, but it is there on Spotify and the likes.  Summergirl was the song that Myles let it really rip it in terms of his voice in the high note in the end.  Samsara can back this up when people really wanted to hear Summergirl at the solo shows, and Myles goes something like, "I don't know.  One day.  One day."

Also, yes, Myles had another solo record album (the stuff he did around 2009 or so and been going back and forth to it when he's not busy with Slash or Alter Bridge).  Decided in 2016 to shelf it.  I think he had demos of it, not sure.  Decided to retain one song from it, Love Can Only Heal, for Year of the Tiger.

[mikeyd23]

Well, I'll be fair: "generic" isn't really the right word.   It's like the difference between Night Ranger and the 100 other bands of that time that had one hit ballad and otherwise didn't make it. Night Ranger were (and are) real players, and even if you don't like the music, you have to sort of respect their abilities.  Some of the other one-hit wonders? Maybe not so much. 

There's no doubt that AB are talented, quality players, and for my money, a song like "Cry of Achilles" is as good as it gets.  But each style has it's tropes, right?  And like Mikey said, I gravitate to that 70's riff-rock vibe, more than the 90's metal vibe (I always refer to that chugging, growling E-string rhythm, like the part right after the first "scream" and into the verses to the Sons of Apollo song "Coming Home" as the example of that). 

What's this about a "solo record on the shelf"?  I know he was working on material for a while and then went in a different direction with the lyrical focus, but did he actually record that early material?

Also, what about the Mayfield Four stuff? He played a song or two of their solo, but it was all in that stripped-back acoustic style, so I have no idea what it sounded like originally.  Is it worth seeking out?  Is it even possible to seek out?

Myles recorded the majority of a solo record years ago, I think everything but some of the vocals were recorded, or perhaps pretty much everything was. Then Myles got really busy with AB and Slash and didn't have a window of time to release the record. When he started the process for what would become Year of the Tiger, he went back to the stuff he recorded years ago and decided he wanted to go a different direction - more singer/songwriter acoustic based stuff. So he wrote all new material geared more in that direction, and that became Year of the Tiger. I think he said in an interview that he reworked one song from his original sessions years ago and it wound up on Year of the Tiger (can't remember which one)... So yeah basically, there is another Myles solo record basically waiting to be mixed sitting on the shelf somewhere and supposedly it's more in the rock vein. Kinda like Mayfield Four.

Speaking of Mayfield Four - I think you and I might have had this conversation before but, yes their stuff is worth checking out. Myles was the primary writer, singer, and guitarist. They put out two records, I'd recommend starting with their second record, Second Skin. Better quality recording overall and strong songs.

Both the Mayfield records are on Spotify. Probably available via Amazon music as well, etc...

[mikeyd23]

The Mayfield Four stuff is definitely worth checking out.  The Second Skin album, to me, is as good as it gets when it comes to the post-grunge stuff.  Don't think you can find a physical copy of it nowadays, but it is there on Spotify and the likes.  Summergirl was the song that Myles let it really rip it in terms of his voice in the high note in the end.  Samsara can back this up when people really wanted to hear Summergirl at the solo shows, and Myles goes something like, "I don't know.  One day.  One day."

Also, yes, Myles had another solo record album (the stuff he did around 2009 or so and been going back and forth to it when he's not busy with Slash or Alter Bridge).  Decided in 2016 to shelf it.  I think he had demos of it, not sure.  Decided to retain one song from it, Love Can Only Heal, for Year of the Tiger.

Ah that's right, it was Love Can Only Heal! Thanks Anguyen.

I'm with you on Summergirl. Unreal song.

[Samsara]

Stads - re: Mayfield Four -- without hesitation, go listen to the album Second Skin. Or if you are strapped for time, I'll make it easy for you - Mars Hotel, White Flag, and the magnificent closer, Summergirl.

I love the album in its entirety, but if I was pressed, those are the medal winners.

[nobloodyname]

Deep respect, and I hope this is taken positively and to spur discussion, but I feel just the opposite, re: Slash and AB.  [...]but I feel like AB is generic metal for the most part.

Yes. A thousand times yes. It's in the eye of the beholder, of course, but I've never heard the attraction of Alter Bridge. Love Myles's voice, though, and that's what drew me to the collaboration with Slash.

As for the new record, I think it's okay but not a patch so far on World on Fire which contained several stellar tracks. I do agree it was too long, though.