Review by Ritchie Birnie for MPM
Three years have passed so it must be time for a Myles Kennedy solo album and The Art of Letting Go does not disappoint.
This album is much more of an in your face offering than the previous two and slots alongside his Slash and Alter Bridge material beautifully and we really get to see this three piece let rip with the less is more moniker paying dividends.
The album opens with the title track and be prepared to have your face melted with riffs from the off. This is a balls out rocker with the bite of a Great white. As much as I loved the song it was the message that resonated totally with me. It is a look and instant punch to the face of modern life, the desperate race to happiness, get those likes, bigger house or better car. Get that rush that does not last instead of enjoying what you have and as the man screams himself later on the album “nothing more to gain”. A very powerful song.
Next up is “Say What You Want” and this is another quick out of the traps number and there is a little bit of G’n’R in there and if this track does one thing it proves just what a vocalist Myles is. He has it all and uses every vocal stretch to perfection and then rolls onto the most sublime guitar solo imaginable.
“Mr Downside” will be a more familiar sound for the Alter Bridge crowd and I can assure you will not be dissapointed with this groove laden monster which highlights the quality of the band as a whole. The breakdown part shines with Zia Uddin on drums and Tim Tournier on bass…this band is tight.
Most will already have heard “Miss You When You’re Gone” so you obviously know already that it kicks ass. A rocked up ballad with guts, glory and a huge slice of heart.
We get a heady dose of Blues guitar on “Behind the Veil” and Myles must have killed a few puppies prior to recording this as he has the wounded Blues singer down to a tee but when that almost AC\DC riff bursts through lets hear a hell yeah people. This song rode straight into my Myles top 10. A beautiful and unrelenting song that proves Myles songwriting pedigree.
The Blues guitar shows up again on “Saving Face” and just like that it rips into a scorching bubbling pot of sound. This is a chant along number which should not work, it comes at you from all sides and each instrument is vying for your focus until you just let it slide over you and you feel the full force of this power trio.
“Eternal Lullaby” focuses on Zia’s simple beat and those chocolaty smooth vocal resonations of Myles. For some reason I see this song on a westerns soundtrack…as the heroes body is dropped into the ground. This song is raw emotion and can only be encapsulated as an epic.
After being wrung out I am ready for some more in your face antics and again we slide into the Alter Bridge persona on “Nothing More to Gain” and this builds into a powerhouse with a rather off kilter tempo that keeps you on edge and would be worthy of Mr Cooper.
After that Alice comment and we get a title like “Dead to Rights” you would think I was a track early but this is has an almost industrial feel. the boys in the back do their best to bend and break your spine and Myles has a punk attitude as his vocals are spat out to keep up with the vibe that is being laid down before he soars to take this song to incredible heights.
Last track is aptly titled “How the Story Ends” and it blends the light and the dark from this album. The gentle opening, the laid back parts and the killer break downs. This is sheer power and everything you expect from Myles.
The Art of Letting Go is an album that only comes with age. There is no way a young man can write these songs. It takes a journey and a realisation of what is important and a whole heap of I don’t care, I am doing what I like and I am doing it my way.
Is there anyone out there that questions the talents of Myles Kennedy? I have seen him solo, I have seen Alter Bridge and I have seen Slash and I have witnessed brilliance time after time.
Myles is genuine Rock God in my eyes and he continues to shine with everything he does.
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