Perhaps best known as the former bassist in Guns'n'Roses and currently in Velvet Revolver, Duff takes on lead vocals and rhythm guitar in his own band Loaded. This new album is strong hard rock / metal, with more of a punk tinge than the sleaze of G'n'R; this new album is a lot more straight head and in your face.

The band members have always been busy with other projects but McKagan had been writing this material while with other bands.

You can hear the influences of Iggy Pop and Black Flag, with Duff also citing the Rolling Stones and Thin Lizzy as influence.

This is stripped down, there is more roughness and honesty about the sound than in some of McKagan's other projects. Mike Squires produces some decent lead guitar, a fine solo or two, but there is the odd moment of jangliness - giving a slight alternative sound.

There is the occasional swerve into blues or G'n'R territories, but Loaded's own sound is the overriding factor.

Never mind Duff's other projects, this is a fine upfront hard rock album in its own right. I enjoyed it a lot more than I thought I would.

***½

Review by Joe Geesin

www.joegeesin.com