Search - Slash's Snakepit :: Ain't Life Grand

An Excellent Album for Those That Like Guitar Driven Rock

James Choma | 10/28/2002

(5 out of 5 stars)

"It's rare that I can listen to an album the first time and instantly like it. "Ain't Life Grand" is one of those CDs. I found myself hitting the replay button on the first three songs alone! The previous reviewers are correct, there is definitly an Aerosmith/Zeppelin groove on the album, but with Slash's unmistakable guitar work, it's got a style all its own. "Been There Lately," "Just Like Anything," and "Shine" are steller songs that stick with you long after you're done listening. This has got to be one of the best releases of 2000-2001 in the Hard Rock genre. Why radio stations that play Classic Rock aren't picking up on this, I don't know. But why let them decide what you listen to anyway? They're missing out on a good thing -- don't let this happen to you. If you're tired of manufactured teen pop or tired replayed Classic Rock tracks, give this album a try. It has just about every element you could want. If you're a Guns 'n' Roses fan, this is an example of the great material they could have been putting out had they not fallen apart. It's good -- really good."

Purest rock n roller i've heard since GNR

James Choma | 10/13/2000

(4 out of 5 stars)

"This album rocks. Pure and simple. It's the purest rock n roll album since GNR released Use Your Illusions all those years back. It doesn't try to be modern or cash in on what others have done, it's just pure good solid riffs. Ok it's not perfect but there are a few real stand out tracks here...You can tell there's something special going on here...Slash is just the god of guitar solo's but you can tell there's a definite band chemistry goin on here, Rod's vocals are great. Slash's riffs are as powerful as anything he did whilst in GNR. I'm usually a real sceptic about when artists go solo, I mean how many rockers retain that same feel? I can think of Alice Cooper, Ozzy maybe and a few others but it's rare. You can tell with this album Slash has not lost his ability to rock n roll better than any other guitarist out there. The album has that same sorta wild over the topness that made GNR's Appetite For Destruction stand out and puts all bass lead new metal to shame..."

Slash's Snakepit strikes hard with Ain't Life Grand!

James Choma | 10/19/2000

(5 out of 5 stars)

"With Ain't Life Grand hard rock icon Slash & his rock 'n roll wrecking crew Snakepit crank it up to the max. The all new lineup features a group of guys out to do nothing but rock. The most signifigant acquisition is that of new vocal talent Rod Jackson. Jackson is a true wildman, bringing to the board a high volume, soulful and energetic voice full of charisma and range. The album is expertly produced by legendary Aerosmith producer Jack Douglas. In a music world dominated by kornbisquit hip-hop/rock bands, Ain't Life Grand strikes hard armed with an arsenal of all out rockin' tunes. Slash lays down the crunching riffs and blazing yet bluesy leadwork he once rode to the top of the world with Guns 'n Roses. Track #1, Been There Lately is the perfect blast off song. It's an absolute stomper; it rocks so hard it's funny. Just Like Anything is an up-tempo song full of attitude and a showcase of Rod Jacksons vocal talent. Slash opens Shine with a liquidy slide guitar intro, leading to a sensational song. You'll want to check out Mean Bone-cool concept here: The song opens with a chick-rap, where a girlfriend is using her man. Along comes a heavy riff, the guy has had enough and puts his foot down(the song just plain destructive now!) A song that personifies the band and album is Life's Sweet Drug. It's an out of control jam full of riff of the year guitar work and aggressive vocals accompanied by an uncontainable band. Slash is all over this disc, whailing on his Les Paul like the Guitar God that he is. From begining to end, each song shows no mercy to your ears(or speakers). Simply put, hard rock 'n roll does'nt get much better than Ain't Life Grand. It's an Aerosmith, AC/DC, and of coarse GNR soaked tracklist of gems which proves to be one of the finest albums to come out in a while. The bottom line is, Ain't Life Grand is the best thing to happen to music since Guns 'n Roses!(just for the record, Axl- GET YOUR STUFF TOGETHER AND CALL SLASH!)"