Holy shit he’s done it again! Every time that I think Zakk Wylde can’t get better, he does!
Hangover Music Vol. VI is another example of Zakk flexing his guitar muscles and showing everyone just how it’s supposed to be done. This album is not for the closed minded though, if you are strictly a fan of hard and heavy head pounding stuff, then turn away. On the other hand, if you have followed Zakk’s career and you understand how versatile his playing and writing is, this is very reminiscent of the Book of Shadows days. This album is exactly what we’ve needed, and exactly what some people have been waiting for. In the past Zakk has shown his ability to write ballads and to play one hell of a piano, he combines all this with acoustic guitars and of course his familiar balls out solo style to bring you 15 ass kicking tunes.
Die-hard fans might even be surprised, some may have been wondering if old Zakk still had it in him, the answer is yes. I don’t think there’s a kind of music that this guy can’t play (and boy band shit doesn’t count by the way, I mean music as in…actual instruments….computer programming a keyboard doesn’t count). The solos on this album are incredible and quite possibly some of his best yet. The heavy, iron-melting stuff he usually does is amazing, but there’s something about the feeling behind these solos that I don’t think anyone else would be able to touch. One thing is for certain, whether you love or hate BLS, Zakk’s music always has a certain personality behind it, a very no nonsense attitude. I’ll give you a quick song-by-song synopsis:
1) Crazy or High – Couldn’t have picked a better opening track, the rhythm stays in your head for a while.
2) Queen of Sorrow – Not sure what to say about this one, definitely a great tune and a great solo.
3) Steppin Stone – This track is very hypnotic, the bass just kinda puts you into a trance.
4) Yesterday, Today, and Tomorrow – The softer side of Zakk comes out here, along with a much lighter voice that you don’t hear much, love the piano
5) Takillya (estyabon) – not sure what the name means, but don’t really care. This is basically a combination of “Speedball” and “T.A.Z.” You know Zakk had to put a track of him just jamming the hell out of an acoustic.
6) Won’t Find It Here – Another awesome song that will get stuck in your head for hours.
7) She Deserves a Free Ride (Val’s Song) – I don’t know who Val is, but I have to admit this is my least favorite track, there’s just something about it that I can’t get into.
8) House of Doom – This is one of those songs that almost sounds like it was written for The Blessed Hellride. Any song that he “pings” under the chorus, you automatically have to love.
9) Damage is Done – One of my favorites on this whole CD, there’s so much feeling behind this and it’s such a mild song…instant classic!
10) Layne – If you can’t figure out who this tribute song is for, go back under your rock for another couple of decades and spare yourself the embarrassment.
11) Woman Don’t Cry – Piano based ballad with a solo that makes you wonder how many notes he can hit in one second.
12) No Other – Very Country Rock-ish.
13) Whiter Shade of Pale – A Procul Harum cover tune, I’d really like to know how he gets that piano of his to sound so incredible.
14) Once More – I like the music on this one but Zakk’s voice doesn’t really fit the song as well as it should. He uses his higher sounding voice for this and I think it might have been better if he used his good old deep one.
15) Fear – Another softer one, but another good one
And there you have it, if you’re still reading by this point, go give yourself a cookie!
Out of 5 stars, I give it 6, but that’s just me, I might arguably be one of the biggest Zakk Wylde/BLS fans out there, but don’t take my word for it, go buy the CD and make your own decision!
