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IN REVIEW
DUFF MCKAGAN
'LIGHTHOUSE'
Photo Credit: Connor Ellmann
Reviewer -David Weddle
PRE-ORDER LIGHTHOUSE
Legendary musician and vocalist Duff McKagan who has worked with many bands over his 40-year career, perhaps most notably with Guns 'N' Roses. Although his creative endeavours have seen Duff work with a whole host of acts and artists, from Velvet Revolver and Hollywood Vampires to Jane's Addiction and Alice in Chains. Duff has certainly made a huge impact and been an influence on thousands of budding musicians across the globe.
Following the success of his recent solo EP 'This Is The Song', written in honour of Mental Health Awareness Month, Duff is due to release his brand new full-length album 'Lighthouse' on October 20th.
The eleven-track album starts off strong with the title track, 'Lighthouse'. Duff's vocals are insanely good. Any G'N'R fan will instantly recognise his distinctive voice, which is set against a gospel-style choir with an uplifting 'Shiiiiine' that makes the soul feel good. A larger-than-life sound that is packed with everything from an organ to a glorious drum fill and a guitar line that draws the ear's attention and pulls the rest of you in to the track. Awesome!!!
Following the success of his recent solo EP 'This Is The Song', written in honour of Mental Health Awareness Month, Duff is due to release his brand new full-length album 'Lighthouse' on October 20th.
The eleven-track album starts off strong with the title track, 'Lighthouse'. Duff's vocals are insanely good. Any G'N'R fan will instantly recognise his distinctive voice, which is set against a gospel-style choir with an uplifting 'Shiiiiine' that makes the soul feel good. A larger-than-life sound that is packed with everything from an organ to a glorious drum fill and a guitar line that draws the ear's attention and pulls the rest of you in to the track. Awesome!!!
Duff isn't afraid to tackle difficult subjects and doesn't shy away from highlighting the wrongdoings of the past in 'Longfeather', which discusses the treatment of Native Americans by the western world. Duff describes how they were driven from their homes and killed just for living. A heartbreaking account. Musically brilliant, with the chorus sticking in the mind long after the track has finished.
Throughout the record, Duff continues with thought-provoking song-writing that delivers on every level. 'I saw God on 10th St' talks of God's disappointment with how mankind has turned out. Lines like 'I saw God on 10th Street, says we're rotten to the core.' says it all really.
The album has a good mix of tracks, including 'Just Another Shakedown', which has a more punk feel to it, with a stunning guitar riff near the start that got my attention.
Giving the old lugs a bit of a breather, Duff treats us to a bit more of a laid-back style on 'Fallen Ones', with almost anthemic lyrics and a beautiful guitar solo—darn, I'm a sucker for a solo, which is luck as Duff brought a few friends along to the 'Lighthouse' party.
Slash features on 'Hope' and gives us a taste of his epic guitar skills as Duff sings his heart out on this more melodic track. It got me thinking of a cross between Bowie and U2. You might think differently, but either way, it sounds amazing.
Second from last is 'I Just Don't Know' which sees longtime friend Jerry Cantrell backing up his buddy as he does a bit of soul searching in this acoustic-infused song that blends perfectly with the sweepingly subtle electric guitar. A symphony of strings in a really impressive show of Duff's diverse writing ability.
Just when you thought that there was nothing more that Duff could possibly give, he goes and gives us Iggy Pop!!!!! He features on the final track, 'Lighthouse (Reprise)'.
Iggy's low, gravelly voice narrates us through the final minute and a half of the lighthouse journey. With a short spoken word piece, which leaves you feeling so chilled. A perfect end.
Oh yeah! Just before I finish this review, there is one track that I haven't mentioned yet, 'Holy Water'. It is track three on the album and is one of my personal highlights.
With a chorus that is perfect for singing along to, the beat is infectious as hell, and Duff's voice is right on point.
The album is packed full of audio treats that should please most rock fans. I, for one, am a huge fan of this album and will definitely be adding it to my regular listening list.
'Lighthouse' is out wherever you get your music on 20th of October. DUFFONLINE.COM
LIGHTHOUSE will be available in a wide range of formats, including streaming, download, CD, cassette, and LP. A number of deluxe versions and bundles are also available, including official Certificates of Authenticity signed by McKagan. In addition, two webstore exclusive vinyl variants – “Transparent Green & “Black Marble” and “Black Velvet” – of the deluxe packaging are on offer, including three lithographs, a 12-page booklet, a sticker, and a guitar pick, all enclosed in a transparent PVC sleeve allowing interchangeability of the graphics displayed on the cover of LIGHTHOUSE. Pre-orders – as well as an exclusive line of brand-new LIGHTHOUSE merch – are available now at www.duffonline.com.
All pre-orders from the official store or email subscribers to the official Duff McKagan newsletter will receive access to a special online album release event featuring an exclusive Q&A with McKagan and Alice In Chains’ Jerry Cantrell (who guests on the LIGHTHOUSE standout, I JUST DON’T KNOW).
Throughout the record, Duff continues with thought-provoking song-writing that delivers on every level. 'I saw God on 10th St' talks of God's disappointment with how mankind has turned out. Lines like 'I saw God on 10th Street, says we're rotten to the core.' says it all really.
The album has a good mix of tracks, including 'Just Another Shakedown', which has a more punk feel to it, with a stunning guitar riff near the start that got my attention.
Giving the old lugs a bit of a breather, Duff treats us to a bit more of a laid-back style on 'Fallen Ones', with almost anthemic lyrics and a beautiful guitar solo—darn, I'm a sucker for a solo, which is luck as Duff brought a few friends along to the 'Lighthouse' party.
Slash features on 'Hope' and gives us a taste of his epic guitar skills as Duff sings his heart out on this more melodic track. It got me thinking of a cross between Bowie and U2. You might think differently, but either way, it sounds amazing.
Second from last is 'I Just Don't Know' which sees longtime friend Jerry Cantrell backing up his buddy as he does a bit of soul searching in this acoustic-infused song that blends perfectly with the sweepingly subtle electric guitar. A symphony of strings in a really impressive show of Duff's diverse writing ability.
Just when you thought that there was nothing more that Duff could possibly give, he goes and gives us Iggy Pop!!!!! He features on the final track, 'Lighthouse (Reprise)'.
Iggy's low, gravelly voice narrates us through the final minute and a half of the lighthouse journey. With a short spoken word piece, which leaves you feeling so chilled. A perfect end.
Oh yeah! Just before I finish this review, there is one track that I haven't mentioned yet, 'Holy Water'. It is track three on the album and is one of my personal highlights.
With a chorus that is perfect for singing along to, the beat is infectious as hell, and Duff's voice is right on point.
The album is packed full of audio treats that should please most rock fans. I, for one, am a huge fan of this album and will definitely be adding it to my regular listening list.
'Lighthouse' is out wherever you get your music on 20th of October. DUFFONLINE.COM
LIGHTHOUSE will be available in a wide range of formats, including streaming, download, CD, cassette, and LP. A number of deluxe versions and bundles are also available, including official Certificates of Authenticity signed by McKagan. In addition, two webstore exclusive vinyl variants – “Transparent Green & “Black Marble” and “Black Velvet” – of the deluxe packaging are on offer, including three lithographs, a 12-page booklet, a sticker, and a guitar pick, all enclosed in a transparent PVC sleeve allowing interchangeability of the graphics displayed on the cover of LIGHTHOUSE. Pre-orders – as well as an exclusive line of brand-new LIGHTHOUSE merch – are available now at www.duffonline.com.
All pre-orders from the official store or email subscribers to the official Duff McKagan newsletter will receive access to a special online album release event featuring an exclusive Q&A with McKagan and Alice In Chains’ Jerry Cantrell (who guests on the LIGHTHOUSE standout, I JUST DON’T KNOW).