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KRiffhard

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Lorenz
My first impression and comments may have been very emotional - but this album is really excellent and in my personal opinion superior to Keith's previous efforts. I always felt that many of his solo songs were too skeletal, ideas that often didn't evolve past a nice riff and lacked Mick's input to develop into a full song.

On this album, Keith somehow takes a different approach - the songs are more developed, more unique (meaning not all open-g variations of similar riffs) - and yet cousins to existing songs (Baby Break It Down for example). I mentioned it above and others did too, there is something Leonard Cohen-ish about the way he sings, Kent mentioned Johnny Cash - the way he uses his voice is clearly similar - sometimes more speaking than singing. It fits very well. There is more little melodies in there compared to the rough riffs we are used too.

At first I thought there were no fillers, I now feel like 3-4 songs could've been left out: the simple, sketch like Blues opener, the repetitive funk song that doesn't really go anywhere, the by-the-books blues rocker - indeed, 2 songs from the leaked CD are actually bonus tracks. But the main body of the album is, considering all things, spectacular.

IMO "Substantial Damage" is a corrosive, dirty, hammering, terrific funky song! And it doesn't matter where it goes!

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BILLPERKS

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keefriffhards

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BILLPERKS

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keefriffhards
I can't help but think how amazing these reviews are considering the man was all but washed up in 2007'
He must have been rusty making this album, but still he comes up with this
Is Keith going to go down in history as the comeback king of all time
I wonder if this is the by product of his sobriety
Just what may have been, if he had gave the booze up 20 years earlier
And also what patience he showed in waiting for a time period to finally release it.
Sorry about keep going on about Keith all the time but he is something else

Its common knowledge, Patti, his wife said he was embracing a life of sobriety. She should know.
Who knows for sure but he has been sober in interviews and chat shows for a long time.
His playing since 2012 suggests he has cleaned up his act too. He hit the booze hard in 07' it was clear to see.
Although he has started drinking the odd tipple again recently by the sound of it.

If he's drinking his usual toxic waste in recent interviews does that make him sober?

Edited 2 time(s). Last edit at 2015-08-18 20:22 by keefriffhards.

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Cristiano Radtke

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with sssoul

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Lorenz
... 2 songs from the leaked CD are actually bonus tracks.

Which two, please?

The person who shared the files attached a text file with the tracklist, on which Substantial Damage and Lover's Plea are listed as being bonus tracks, but I don't know where this info comes from.

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Lorenz
At first I thought there were no fillers, I now feel like 3-4 songs could've been left out: the simple, sketch like Blues opener, the repetitive funk song that doesn't really go anywhere, the by-the-books blues rocker - indeed, 2 songs from the leaked CD are actually bonus tracks.

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KRiffhard
IMO "Substantial Damage" is a corrosive, dirty, hammering, terrific funky song! And it doesn't matter where it goes!

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howlingmad
I thought the official tracklisting was pretty clear about all 15 tracks being included on both cd and vinyl.
Was there some later update saying they would only be on initial pressings or something?

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DandelionPowderman
A short review:

Cross Eyed Heart:
A classic Keith-take on Robert Johnson, not very unlike the "Keith Richards plays acoustic guitar-video" that's on YouTube. Only a couple of verse lines and some authentic blues. A nice start - works as a little teaser.

Heartstopper:
This IS really a heartstopper! Pumping guitars and a really nice, melodic chorus. Should perhaps have been the first single off the album.

Amnesia:
Cool intro with a talking Keith, while the guitars are warming up. A rocking tune with some nice surprising breaks (drums and piano). Keith is singing really well.

Robbed Blind:
Wow! This is really nice. At this point, I'm surprised of how many instruments Keith plays, and how personal this record must be for him. That thought hit me when the steel guitar kicked in on this track. Keith plays some lovely piano. This track has some nice, surprising harmonies. Beautiful brazilian acoustic guitar break from Keith. One of my favourites on the album.

Trouble:
We have all heard it. Wouldn't be my choice for a single, compared with many of the other tracks here, but it's certainly a song with a chorus one remembers.

Love Overdue:
This is perfection. Perhaps the best reggae track Keith ever has recorded. Heartfelt, ragged and sweet. VERY nicely arranged.

Nothing On Me:
THIS should have been the single! Like a Bruce Springsteen from the graveyard, Keith is harking out the lyrics. A very simple chorus, but effective and cool. This is classic Keith. It could have been a Stones hit as well, imo. Love this track. Great, great vocals.

Suspicious:
My favourite so far! Some really nice harmonies and chord-patterns. Keith plays very good on this album, and this one is done with affection. I love the way he builds up his guitars, as well as the odd piano touches here and there. Small, beautiful lead parts on guitar. Waddy is good here as well.

Blues In The Morning:
The dirty version of I Could Have Stood You Up. This one rocks. Hard! Perhaps this is the Keith most hope to hear a lot on this album. For me, it's a bit generic. That said, I wouldn't have missed this track for the world! This is downright, dirty rock'n'roll - and Mr. Riffmaster is pushing it hard.

Something For Nothing:
A gospel-like intro and a weird damping guitar slowly leads us to the chorus right away. Very catchy. Single potential, great track. Classic Keith. What strikes me so far is that Cross Eyed Heart might be Keith's finest solo album. I didn't see that coming!

Illusion:
Opens with the ballad version of the Baby, Break It Down-riff
A very nice ballad. Norah Jones sings beautiful here.
«Just between you and me» Heard that line before, though. Beautiful!

Just A Gift:
Another ballad. Are there too many? Not really, imo. They're all on par with his best (Make No Mistake, Hate It When You Leave, Locked Away), and that's quite an accomplishment. Just A Gift is very melodic, and many of these ballads are really worked on arrangement-wise, compared to the tracks on, say, Main Offender. Love Keith's Mayfield-esque fills in the background. Nice strings. Real stuff.

Goodnight Irene:
Well, well, well, one of my favourite Leadbelly-songs. I don't know how he dares having a go at it, but he pulls it off. Lots of interesting things going on in this number. Great vocals. He makes this one his own. Some nice 12 string-playing as well.


Substantial Damage:
This one picks up where It Means A Lot left. Funky, hard-rocking stuff. Naked, stripped down and dirty. Cooler arranging than IMAL, and it swings more. Dangerous stuff! This is the riffmaster at work, and he means business! Nice slide from Waddy, who isn't really as dominant on this album as I thought he would be.

Lover's Plea:
Another Keith-ballad which rounds off an album. To be honest, I would have chosen this one to do it as well Maybe the best ballad on the album. Very nice horns, arranged very nicely indeed. This is reminiscent of Nearness Of You in places. Hypnotic chorus after the horns kick in. Then it stops and starts and shakes you off. Then you're hooked again. Absolutely lovely stuff.

All in all I'd say it's Keith's best album. It was worth the wait. Can't wait to get my vinyl!

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with sssoul

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howlingmad
I thought the official tracklisting was pretty clear about all 15 tracks being included on both cd and vinyl.
Was there some later update saying they would only be on initial pressings or something?

No, nothing like that was said.
I think the statement on the boot Lorenz is talking about is simply a misunderstanding.

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DandelionPowderman
Lover's Plea as a bonus track would be madness. What a way to round off an excellent album!

Right now, my favourite is Suspicion. Illusion grows on me. Nothing On Me is perfection

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Lorenz
Keith seems to have a better marketing team in place compared to the Stones.

Anyone could go check out:

No.6
Spielman Rd,
Dartford,
Kent
DA1 5EZ

--> you need to go there, then connect to [www.keithrichards.com] and follow instructions. Will officially unlock a song from the new album.

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Naturalust

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Lorenz
Keith seems to have a better marketing team in place compared to the Stones.

Anyone could go check out:

No.6
Spielman Rd,
Dartford,
Kent
DA1 5EZ

--> you need to go there, then connect to [www.keithrichards.com] and follow instructions. Will officially unlock a song from the new album.

That's pretty bizarre. I can just imagine going through all that work and then Trouble is the song it unlocks. lol

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Tate
I agree with vudicus, I am holding out for the album in its entirety. For me it is about the songs, and little bits of songs are not songs.