by someone else’s pain and that’s the case with me. Lita gives it to you straight, the lyrics are straight forward and to the point and from the sound of it this girl has been through hell and back. The raunchy, edgy guitar riffs and melodies push you right to the edge but not far enough to make you free fall. The songs are strong and bad ass and to me it sounds like her soul has been healed through them. “Branded”, “Hate”, “Living like a runaway”, “Relentless” and “Devil in my head” are just some of the few tracks I’d recommend. There’s also the beautifully composed “Mother” which sure will pull on anyone’s heart strings. She sounds and looks amazing and she brings a breath of fresh air to the good old sounding Rock’n’Roll. I must admit that my very favorite song on this album is called “Love to hate U” which is a duet with Gary Hoey one of the song writers on this CD. Lita is back and she makes sure that you are aware of her presence with “Living like a runaway”.
LESLIE WEST Unusual Suspects By: John Irizarry There comes a time in everyone’s life where they take inventory of who they are and how they got that way. The CD Unusual Suspects by rock icon Leslie West is how a musical artist living life in the public eye does it. The CD is not only reflective and introspective, but also a soul searching open letter to one who is near and dear to him. Don't get me wrong, there is plenty of fire in the way of Guitar God soloing on Unusual Suspects, but there is so much more happening here. What hits you first is the CD cover, a picture of a peace sign made, of hardened steel, with pieces missing, but still very much intact on a working musician’s road case with his name beneath as if to say, "this is who I am". This serves as gateway to the songs offered here on "Unusual Suspects." The latest chapter in the book of Leslie West and a recap of his life so far.
This is where he now resides in the universe. In this collection you’ll find some usual suspects that who, like Leslie, play loud and proud guitar without excuses for the world's perception of who they are with image removed. Steve Lukather, Slash, Billy Gibbons, Joe Bonamassa and Mr. West’s spiritual son, Zakk Wylde. They not only pay respect by trading licks with the tone Master himself, but are of the same ilk, all are comfortable in the setting Leslie provides. Usual Suspects(Provogue/Mascot Label Group)is produced by Fabrizio Grossi. Along with the legendary drummer Kenny Aronoff, Grossi fills out the rhythm section on bass. Producers with Italian names seem to bring out the best in Leslie West, and this is a strong effort by this now veteran producer. Leslie West invites you to open up the road case of his life to full view for the listener. Unusual Suspects opens with the ok-boys-and-girlshere we-go rocker “One More Drink For The Road”. Next up, “Mud Flap Momma” is a down and dirty expression of desire for his bride Jenni, who Leslie married onstage (where else)I n 2009 at the Woodstock 40th Anniversary concert in upstate New York.