GUNS N’ ROSES bassist DUFF McKAGAN is releasing today the Expanded Edition of his latest solo album, “Lighthouse”. The set feature 19 songs, including 8 previously unreleased studio and live tracks, and refreshed artwork. The live material has been recorded December 8, 2023 at Easy Street Records in Seattle, Washington.
“Lighthouse” sees McKagan baring more of his artistic spirit than ever before, fusing acoustic elements with hard-edged rock ‘n’ roll to land at the sweet spot between soul-searching reflection and pure energy.
The welcomed thing on this “Lighthouse [Expanded Edition +8]” is that most of the new songs are uptempo and plenty of electricity.
McKagan launches his new record with the title track, dedicated to his wife, that’s all mood. It’s mostly just a guy and an acoustic guitar, though he builds the band in later. It’s a good starting vibe. He means what he sings and it works, especially toward the end.
“Longfeather” is a borderline great song. Again, it’s all vibe, with just the right upbeat old West soundtrack chords and build. Simplicity is the key to this record; Duff McKagan doesn’t try to be what he’s not. Epic greatness is the goal when he gets together with the talented guys at his day job. But the flip side of being in GNR is only greatness is allowed from that band. “Longfeather” is a nice, well-put together rock song, by a musician with a good rock voice.
“Holy Water” is another very good effort that’s all positive vibe. There’s a reason McKagan tends to have the best solo stuff from GNR. It’s tight and focused and has a real simple American rock feel. His vocals also sneak up on you; they get better the more you listen.
“I Saw God on 10th Street” is where you really hear the influence of his pal Iggy Pop. He sings with the same punky over-enunciation that drives the song over the acoustic riff until simple Stooges fuzz guitar takes over (but not too much). It’s simple, but effective.
Duff shifts gears with “Fallen Down, with some Hammond organ that doesn’t overwhelm the vocals. “Forgiveness” is OK; not good enough to stand out without something else added to it.
But he bounces back with “Just Another Shakedown,” an electric rocker. It actually sounds like something you might come up with while jamming with buddies. It’s fun right then, but you eventually find something else to play.
“To the Fallen Ones” is a nice change of pace, with some warm guitar. Speaking of which, Slash makes an appearance on “Hope,” which brings a bit more rock grandeur to the beginning of a well-constructed song.
The other guitar guest shot comes next, from Alice in Chains’ Jerry Cantrell in the personal-sounding “I Just Don’t Know,” during which McKagan sings better than anywhere else on the record. He even sounds a little familiar when he goes high (which probably made Axl Rose wonder why his bass player didn’t save this one for GNR). It moves well enough between more than just a couple parts.
The bonus tracks expand the release to an almost a double album, all good.
All in all, it’s a good record … a cool record, and worth a listen.
Tracklist:
01. Lighthouse (03:20)
02. Longfeather (04:11)
03. Holy Water (04:31)
04. I Saw God On 10th St. (03:05)
05. Fallen (04:21)
06. Forgiveness (03:24)
07. Just Another Shakedown (02:49)
08. Fallen Ones (03:27)
09. Hope (04:28)
10. I Just Don't Know (05:27)
11. Lighthouse (Reprise) (01:32)
12. This is the Song (Bonus) (03:45)
13. Pass You By (Bonus) (04:42)
14. It Can't Come Too Soon (Bonus) (03:56)
15. I Just Don't Know (Acoustic Mix) [Bonus] (05:27)
16. C'mon Boys (Bonus) (02:51)
17. I Saw God On 10th St. (Live From Easy Street Records) [Bonus] (02:58)
18. Just Another Shakedown (Live From Easy Street Records) [Bonus] (02:57)
19. Longfeather (Live From Easy Street Records) [Bonus] (04:02)
Duff McKagan (Guns N’ Roses) – Lighthouse (Expanded Edition) (2024), MP3+FLAC
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