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Duff McKagan is back with his second full length disc with his band Loaded.  You have to give kudos to the former members of Guns N’ Roses.  None of these guys rest on their laurels in their downtime. Between Izzy, Duff and Slash, you are almost guaranteed to get some new form of rock each year.

McKagan’s latest effort “Sick” is a modernized blend of hard rock, punk and classic rock.   The music is more comparable to Velvet Revolver than Guns N’ Roses, but I believe this disc rocks harder than the last effort by VR.

I don’t think anyone will ever call Duff McKagan a great singer, but he does manage to create some above average tunes worth checking out, and does an admirable job as Loaded’s lead singer.

There are a few rockers on this disc including, “Sick”, “Sleaze Factory”, and “Flatline”.  I just wish there were more of them in this vein.

“The Slide” sounds like it could have been a left over track from Velvet Revolver.  One song that I had initially written off,  “IOU” has become one of my favorites after multiple listens.  This song tends to lean more towards the alternative rock side of the fence, but it is cool nonetheless.  “Translucent” is a tune that could easily be a radio single if given the chance.

While it isn’t one of my favorites, there is no doubt in my mind that there is a heavy Stones influence on the song, “Mothers Day”. Some of the other songs that I have grown to like are “I See Through You”, and “No Shame”.

I believe this album could have been bolstered by some heavier guitar playing, but this just me.  I think “Sick” is a lot better than the first Loaded album. Duff McKagan proves to be a pretty good song writer,  and he has served a solid rock album with “Sick”.

For more information on Duff McKagan’s Loaded, check out the band’s website, or myspace page.

Rating:  Out of 10

Track Listing:
1. Sick
2. Sleaze Factory
3. Flatline
4. IOU
5. The Slide
6. Translucent
7. Mothers Day
8. I See Through You
9. Forgive Me
10. No Shame
11. Blind Date Girl
12. Wasted Heart
13. No More

Duff McKagan’s Loaded is:

Duff McKagan – Vocals and Guitars
Mike Squires – Guitars
Jeff Rouse – Bass
Geoff Reading – Drums