Album Review: Cirith Ungol - Dark Parade
Reviewed by Jon Wigg
If you want something done ask a busy man… that's what they say anyway. Well, if you want a solo album, ask Duff Mckagan. For every project you have heard of, he's got about four that you haven't heard of. He's got the inbox from hell and the in-tray of doom, such is his industry. So what does he do in his down time? That's right, he produces his third solo album. Why would he do such a thing? Well the material on the album is a lot more sensitive, introspective and slightly spiritual. You can't give this kind of material over to another human being and expect them to sing exactly what's in your heart. You have to do that yourself and that's exactly what Duff has done.
This album is a spotlight right into the heart of Duff Mckagan’s soul.
The catchy opening title track of the album starts with a strummed acoustic guitar which shifts gear in the second half and plays out to an uplifting rousing catchy tune. Second song in 'Longfeather' and we've got a sleazy storyteller type song not a million miles away from the Juju Hounds. Any correlation I wonder?
Half of this album is given over to lazy rhythms, laid back acoustic riffs and sentimentality that really pulls on your heart strings. We still have the punk Duff, this side of his music personality floats to the surface, most notably on a song called 'Just Another Shakedown'. This is a pure punk rock and roller. We also see hints of his punk rock in song such as 'I Saw God on 10th Street', which has an acoustic storytelling Rancid feel to it.
Just a reminder that Duff's home city is Seattle we get a Screaming Trees type grunge with powerful vocals in the name of 'Hope'. The album is topped off with a spoken word version of the opening song by one Mr Iggy Pop. Very arty.
The world has G’N’R. Rock fans have Loaded and Velvet Revolver. We, the fans, get his solo album 'Lighthouse'.
