Paulblow's Full Review: Main Offender * by Keith Richards
I've said it before and I'll say it again - every guitar player secretly (or not so secretly) wants to be Keith Richards. Keith Richards is rock'n'roll's coolest rock star, period. What with his legendary drug habits, whiskey drinkin', and cigarrette chainsmoking , he should be dead ten times by now! But no, Keith Richards is no mortal man...
"Main Offender" is Keith's third solo album, and it continues where his first album, "Talk Is Cheap" (see my review) left off. (His second solo album was a live record, mostly featuring songs off Talk is Cheap, and some Stones songs) When I bought a copy of "Main offender", I was a bit worried that it would not be as good as Talk Is Cheap (which I loved), however, when I popped the CD in my player and the first song came on, I knew I was not going to be disappointed...
The CD starts off strong, with one of the most hard-rocking songs I've ever heard - "999" - a six minute, down'n'dirty, straight ahead rocker, which features one of the meanest guitar riffs since "Jumping Jack Flash". It's amazing how Keith Richards can take one riff, back it up with a solid beat, and make an incredible song out of it! This song (which seems to have something to do with heroin) makes the whole album, and I would have gladly paid full CD price for this one song alone. I swear, every time I play "999", I break out into a kung-fu frenzy!
The rest of the songs on "Main Offender", while not as strong as "999", use the same formula: take one Richards guitar riff (tm), add a couple minor changes, add a simple rock'n'roll beat plus Keith's gravely vocals, and you have good rock'n'roll - Keith Richards style. All these songs showcase Keith's guitar work - his leads and rhythum playing are top notch, and the riffs are what we've come to expect from Mr. Rock'n'roll. Indeed, the riffs are what make this album come alive and rock. The best of the rest include "Eileen", "Wicked as it Seems", "Running Too Deep", and "You Will But You Won't". Keith also shows his sensitive side with the mellow tunes "Yap Yap" and "Demon", and even plays a reggae tune "Words of Wonder" (the only song on the CD I don't like)
Keith has a solid band backing him up on this CD, the same players as he used on "Talk Is Cheap", all of them excellent musicians. The production is also very well done, with Keith's guitar out front, and the best drum sounds I've heard (the snare sounds so darn goood!) just like "Talk Is cheap".
This CD is a must have for all Keith Richards fans, and for anyone who digs Keith's saucy style of guitar play. This man is a living legend, - the man who invented the guitar hero, the man with the chops, the king of cool... check him out.
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