Myles Kennedy heads back to basics in classic Hard Rock trio format.

Release Date: 11th October 2024

Label: Napalm Records

Format: CD / LP / digital

“You don’t need to prove yourself to anyone but you,” says Myles Kennedy. “Do the best you can, remember you’ve got a gift, and use it.” As he has done, being ever busy with Alter Bridge and in Slash’s Conspirators, his third solo effort sees a tweak of the plan and form.

Mk power trio

With his previous solo work based around more acoustic and roots elements, this time around, Kennedy and Zia Uddin (drums) and Tim Tournier (bass) worked up a set of songs with a riff heavy, guitar driven sound. A set that could be performed live as a trio, without having to rework arrangements. With a tour heading to the UK in the not too distant future, it sounds an exciting prospect.

For sure there are some raw and biting belters, pumping as statements of intent at the start of the album. The title track has ‘gig opener’ stamped all over it with a tight riff and frequent opportunities to holler of “hey, hey” providing a perfect release. Followed by the lead single Say What You Will Right, there’s a real flavour of the sort of dangerous tune he’d front with Slash’s band. A bucking bronco of a workout, the opening gambit to the new live set must surely be these two plus the friendlier melodies of Mr Downside. Very impressive and matched at the back end of the album by a the furious alarms of Dead To Rights where the danger and smoulder return with a vengeance. A wildly undulating slide solo adds to the white knuckle ride.

low key interludes

The card carrying, riff heavy monsters are tempered with a handful of low key interludes, forming a mid album ‘slow things down a little’ vibe. Miss You When You’re Gone is another potential hook laden single option. On the powerful Saving Face, a clean bluesy six-string lick sets the tone, giving way to a momentous beat driven by a deep and demanding fuzz bass before veering into refrain offset by high register harmonies. “Careful what you wish for, you might get what you want,” is the message.

Behind The Veil sees Myles + a very clean sounding guitar leading the way before the rhythm section joins the sleazy paced action. In similar fashion, Eternal Lullaby opens with a brooding, erm, lullaby, that before you know it has shifted gear into an intense power anthem and fearsome solo. Perhaps a less obvious but personal highlight of the album. It could even be “the aching melody that still survives” of which he sings.

For a finale, How The Story Ends blends moody orchestration with one last soul-stirring solo and a cathartic chorus, inspired by the personal importance of standing up for one’s own interests and needs. Naked and exposed is good. The Art Of Letting Go ain’t a place for taking a passive approach. 

Here’s Nothing More To Gain:

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