As Mentioned: The First Non Sports Post.

I said the other day that chances are, the next post would be about the new Velvet Revolver album, Libertad. I don't like to lie.

I went to pick up the album and Shooter (which was sold out at Target) after lunch Tuesday afternoon. We were at the Chinese Buffet. Needless to say, I need some headbanging afterwards.

When I got back to the office, I inserted Libertad into my CD drive. I realized I was at work, so I couldn't rock it that hard. Then I realized that no one on my floor had checked in given that the next day was a Holiday.It got louder.

The first song, "Let it Roll," is an in your face rocker. Strong riff, yelling, strong power chords, great opening song. Followed by "She Mine," "Get Out The Door" and the first single "She Builds Quick Machines," the first four songs on the album are all single material, all rock hard with delicately complex material. Not messing too much with the rockin' riffs, but adding just enough artistic flair to recognize that the guys who put this album together can still add the signatures that made their previous bands great to a band who's second album is groundbreaking in this time of music mostly comprised of computer beats.

Guns N' Roses (former band of VR's Slash, Duff McKagan and Matt Sorum) and Stone Temple Pilots (former band of VR's Scott Weiland) were known most for in your face, face melting, fist pumping rock. "Paradise City," "Welcome to the Jungle," and my favorite GNR song, "Nightrain," exemplify this, along with STP's "Plush," "Interstate Lovesong," "Big Bang Baby" and "Vasoline."

But the GNR songs that we most remember...the ballads. "Sweet Child O' Mine," "November Rain," "Patience." Libertad brings the Slash ballad back in a driving force. You know, that whole starts slow, ends up rockin' hard deal? "Last Fight" and "Gravedancer," I believe are the prizes of this album. Delicate riffs, meaningful vocals, huge solo, fantastic coda. It's the formula that Slash has made his name on and he absolutely nails it on Libertad.

I think that's what makes these guys different. After what they've been through professionally, socially and personally, they still look most at rock and roll artists, looking to blend their talents in a way that enhances those experiences but still generating a new form of music. You can hear some GNR in the album, but it's not a GNR album. There are times in the album where you totally feel a mid-90's vibe...with Slash.

People talk about Slash. Some people think he's the most overrated guitar player of all time. These people, frankly, are morons. He can play any style of music, and incorporate it into his own. His chops are as good as any one's out there. Can he play as fast as a Zakk Wylde? No. And he doesn't want to. The reason Slash is one of the greatest guitarists of all time, and the greatest guitarist of this generation is his taste. Regardless of the type of music, Slash finds the best note to play at all times and how to maneuver to the next, great note he hits. Not to mention, he has been doing this since the mid 80's...and still never letting go of rock and roll, and continues to produce great records, with his bandmates, most of which he's been with in the best and worst years.

Moral of the story...you need to by this record. It's the best piece of music I've bought in years. And be careful, this isn't Appetitite for Destruction. Nothing will ever be Appetite. It's, in my opinion, the second greatest album of all-time. But remember this, Velvet Revolver wasn't looking to recreate anything they'd already done. Libertad has blended the bands musical talent together to create their own sound and one great album.