Velvet Revolver

Artist : Velvet Revolver Album : Contraband (BMG Entertainment)

When three former members of Guns N' Roses join the ex-vocalist of Stone Temple Pilots, with the addition of a new guitarist, what is the result?

For a start, it is safe to say that the band escapes the crappiness of Slash' Snake Pit.

However, as Slash, Duff McKagan, Matt Sorum and Scott Weiland, plus guitarist Dave Kushner, make music together, there is a strange twist. The music seems a cross between GN'R and STP, which takes a little while to get used to.

The first track, Sucker Train Blues, is a definite GN'R- sounding song, with fast rhythm from Slash and Sorum's monstrous drums.

At times, Weiland even wails like Axl.

Is it good? Well, not bad, given each of the personnel's respective skills, and some songs are enjoyable. But it's far from groundbreaking, and not even inspiring. The band's name may be reminiscent of Velvet Underground, but the quality is not even close.

Whether the band proves to be a worthwhile venture remains to be seen. -- Hera Diani