Album Review: Slash featuring Myles Kennedy and the Conspirators – 4

2018 was an incredible year for albums with gems too numerous to mention but it included one which stood head, shoulders and top hat above the rest. Living the Dream saw Slash reconvene with Myles Kennedy and the Conspirators for their first album in four years and almost four years on again, they’re back with their fourth collaboration, aptly named 4 (albeit the main man’s fifth solo album overall).

4 finds them backed by a new producer in Dave Cobb (most known in rock circles for his long-standing relationship with Rival Sons), the simple album artwork and old-school approach to its name and their leanest tracklist to date in only ten tracks. Add in it’s the first time they’ve recorded an album live since 2012’s Apocalyptic Love and it’ll give you a good sense of the direction this album is heading before you hit play. More than ever before, Slash wants the music to do the talking which he and his cohorts have achieved to create the definitive Conspirators album.

As the familiar strains of the Les Paul scream into life for opening track and lead single “The River is Rising”, it’s an instant classic Conspirators song with its driving, chunky signature Slash riff. As standard fare as it gets for them, it’s an up-tempo rocker to signal their return whilst Kennedy’s lyrics serves as a warning to fight against the continual wrongs of the world, picking up where his last solo album left off and even moments found on Living the Dream. Featuring a blistering solo as the band hits the double time section, the fake-out ending just for them to go for one last run on the track is a welcome bait and switch and will fool you every time.

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Elsewhere, “Call off the Dogs” with its scuzzy, bluesy jagged riff is another traditional Conspirators number in the vein of “Mind Your Manners” as it batters against Todd Kerns’ rumbling bass before the battle gives way to bright, measured strums close to its finale. “Whatever Gets You By” starts with a gnarly, sludgy It’s Five O’Clock Somewhere-era riff before it dissolves into a funkier element as Brent Fitz’s groove-filled drum work powers the song with the main man taking more of a back seat. “Actions Speak Louder Than Words” and “The Path Less Followed” also follow in the traditional punchy setup with the latter having more of a World on Fire feel to it – a touch more sharp and aggressive than the rest of the record.

Slash featuring Myles Kennedy and the Conspirators may know how to write upbeat numbers, serving them well for the past decade but they also know how to bring it down a notch. “Fill My World” is inspired by Kennedy’s Shih Tzu enduring a storm on his own because of a delayed flight. As Kennedy’s emotional vocals wrap themselves in Slash’s bright yet sentimental guitar work, it could just as easily apply to a relationship between two humans or the loss we’ve all experienced in the last couple of years. As “Fall Back to Earth” closes out the album as the longest song, it’s also the most complex, much akin to “The Unholy” on World on Fire and “Boulevard of Broken Hearts” on Living the Dream. A heart-wrenching track which builds to a stunning crescendo, it’s the perfect finale to an album which doesn’t miss a step.

Although the band aren’t resting on their laurels, they know exactly what their sound is but simultaneously aren’t afraid to get a bit left-field. The talkbox makes its long overdue return on “C’est La Vie” and much like the opener, it’s a criminally catchy song. As the snarling riff twists its way around Fitz’s finessed drums, his own less-is-more approach works well against Slash harking back to moments like “Crazy Life” and paying homage to Aerosmith’s “Sweet Emotion”. Meanwhile, the sitar intro to “Spirit Love” gives the song a Middle Eastern sound before it segues into a darker, dread-bearing tone as it conveys the story of the song.

Lyrically, it’s the most grounded Conspirators album. While they’ve never shied away from the realities of life, much of the usual story-telling and well-worn “live for today” themes aren’t present here, as they take aim at politicians, toxic relationships and watching people sell their principles to get what they want. It’s a welcome addition to the arsenal but never feels forced. Recording live once more truly shows the power and chemistry the band have and gets the best out of them as a unit, making for a warmer listen to create their best produced album. Like their back catalogue, each and every song on here is intended to be performed live and it won’t be surprising if by the end of the touring cycle, each song has had its chance to shine in front of thousands of people.

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As Kennedy’s vocals are as solid as always, he doesn’t quite put his pipes through the wringer like he has on other records but there’s enough in their back catalogue that he can still do that when touring. Frank Sidoris continues to be an excellent sparring partner for Slash, knowing when to hold back and when to shine, working in perfect tandem, much akin to double acts like Keith Richards and Ronnie Wood or The Darkness’ Hawkins brothers. Meanwhile, the Canadian (and rhythm) section of the Conspirators, bassist Todd Kerns and drummer Brent Fitz mesh tighter than ever to race alongside Slash’s riffs to help create the band’s signature sound and without either of them, the music would lose much of its soul and integrity. Fiery, emotionally-laden guitar work from Slash from start to finish says everything he wants to when so many artists use words and still, 35 years into his career, he can pull new riffs from his top hat which are as engaging as his solo staples, his recognisable Velvet Revolver songs and his iconic Guns N’ Roses riffs.

Whilst 4 doesn’t reinvent the wheel for Slash’s long-established solo work, it’s an album never left wanting for it. There’s some definite refinement to be found within as the band only gets tighter as the years pass. The standard hallmarks are hit throughout the album, powered by distinctive guitar tones which fuels the fire of the album – everything on here is quintessential Slash. 4 is the latest culmination of over a decade of performing together to create a bombastic record, as ambitious as the first, taking the lessons and sounds from the past decade to make their definitive record whilst paying homage to the art of the riff.

4 is released on 11th February

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Header image by Austin Nelson

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