Thanks to the modern trend of cherry picking individual tracks for consumption, crafting a fully-realised album, one that’s both musically and thematically cohesive, is an artform that’s slowly being eroded. Fortunately for those of us who still worship at the altar of this classic format, Myles Kennedy is blissfully unaware of such a sea change.
Over the course of his tenure fronting arena metallers Alter Bridge, as well as his time with Slash’s solo band, the possibility of Kennedy going solo has been a regular question, as has the possible direction he might take. ‘Year of the Tiger’ finally answers those queries, but not necessarily in the way we might have expected.
After discarding an intended solo bow that was years in the making, Kennedy began writing new material at a frantic pace. What poured out of him not only had a sound far removed from his past work, but also tackled a huge moment in his life: the death of his father when he was four.
Throughout ‘Year of the Tiger’ he explores the painful, long-lasting, aftershock of a bereavement from a variety of perspectives.
The Great Beyond, a nightmarish number that captures the horror and confusion of losing a loved one, the mournfully reflective Ghost Of Shangri-La and the scene-setting, eloquent title-track find Kennedy recalling events from a child’s point of view and paying tribute to his mother’s resolve.
The singer’s inability to reconcile such grief, and how it’s scarred his adult experience, is tackled with unflinching candour on the bulk of this material. Both Blind Faith and Nothing But A Name, for example, depict imaginary conversations with his dad, questioning how he could selfishly put his beliefs - as a Christian Scientist he refused medical treatment - ahead of being the paternal presence his son needed.
It’s a powerful, raw listen but, through tracks like Songbird, Love Can Only Heal and One Fine Day, Kennedy works towards mending his wounds and achieving peace. The final feeling is one of hope and a sense that things can be overcome.
Utilising banjo, mandolin and lap steel instrumentation, Kennedy gifts each song its own unique emotional mood, subtly incorporating a variety of genre flourishes and well delivered melodies into folk-rock textures and a vintage singer-songwriter aesthetic.
In particular, there’s a strong Led Zeppelin ‘III’ vibe throughout. The fleet-fingered acoustic fretwork of Haunted By Design and primal dance of Mother are both heavily indebted to Jimmy Page. The self-chastising Devil on the Wall, meanwhile, offers old school countrified rock ‘n’ roll replete with jazzy, finger-clicking bass strokes and an impressively understated solo.
Although Kennedy is one of the finest rock vocalists of his generation, and an equally gifted guitarist with an appreciation for many styles, he never attempts to dazzle us with that skillset. His talent certainly shines through, but always in service to songs that function as part of a wonderfully woven whole. 'Year of the Tiger' is that rare beast: a perfectly crafted album.
Myles Kennedy Upcoming Tour Dates are as follows:
Tue March 20 2018 - GLASGOW Garage
Wed March 21 2018 - MANCHESTER Manchester Gorilla
Fri March 23 2018 - LONDON Islington Assembly Hall
Sat March 24 2018 - BRISTOL Thekla
Mon March 26 2018 - LONDON Islington Assembly Hall
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