Contraband
by Velvet Revolver
  • Record Label: RCA
  • Release Date: Jun 8, 2004
User Score
8.0

Generally favorable reviews- based on 113 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 91 out of 113
  2. Mixed: 9 out of 113
  3. Negative: 13 out of 113

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  1. Palp
    May 26, 2012
    8
    I really like this album simply because of how much energy it has, and how many memorable guitar riffs/solos there are on this album. This album is not as good as either the best GN'R album, nor the best STP album, but a lot of fun to listen to.
  2. SlashH.
    Jun 29, 2007
    9
    Great Rock n Roll record!
  3. rockfan
    Jun 26, 2007
    10
    These guys (along with The Villains) will save real rock and roll from posers like those pop-punk babies.
  4. hardrock67
    Jun 25, 2007
    10
    There's a reason these guys are called a supergroup. This album is basically split into two sections with 5 or 6 songs that completely melt your face, then have a ballad to help it solidify again. One of the best rock albums ever!!!!!!!!!!
  5. MyGUITAR
    Jun 13, 2007
    8
    I welcome the change of listening Slash play as well as he always has accompanied by a good singer. Scott might not be the best but I'll rank him ions above Axl any-day. Axl has his moments but only on radio. Seen him live and the guy just can't sing live. Otherwise, this record is a genuine throwback to the "good ol' simple dirty rock n roll". This type of raw hard rock is I welcome the change of listening Slash play as well as he always has accompanied by a good singer. Scott might not be the best but I'll rank him ions above Axl any-day. Axl has his moments but only on radio. Seen him live and the guy just can't sing live. Otherwise, this record is a genuine throwback to the "good ol' simple dirty rock n roll". This type of raw hard rock is definitely missing from the scene today. It's definitely much better than anything that the new GnR put out in the last ten years! Oh.. wait..… Expand
  6. CaptainSuck
    Nov 22, 2006
    9
    It's a good album, a lot of the songs remind me of the times way back when music dubbed "rock" was actually listenable. We can only hope for another Velvet Revolver album in the near-future; 21st century rock supergroup? Hell yeah!
  7. antsl
    Oct 5, 2006
    10
    lets get slashing
  8. SpencerC
    Apr 8, 2006
    10
    the best slash album since appetite for destruction
  9. hiphopsucks
    Feb 17, 2006
    10
    This is even better than the old stuff from Guns N' Roses. I reccomend this album to any rock fan. I don't reccomend it to rap fans . Eh, Maybe. But overall, this is one of the best albums ever. Buy it if you don't already own it.
  10. dominicl
    Jan 4, 2006
    10
    This album is amazing. Just like the Guns N Roses Days, this album also covers a range of tracks. Heavy songs: Slither, Do it for the kids! Ballads: Fall To Pieces and Loving The Alien. Velvet Revolver, i my opinon are the best (possibly second best) modern band around. My favourite tracks of contraband are: Slither, Fall To Pieces, Do It For The Kids, Dirty Little Thing, and Suckertrain This album is amazing. Just like the Guns N Roses Days, this album also covers a range of tracks. Heavy songs: Slither, Do it for the kids! Ballads: Fall To Pieces and Loving The Alien. Velvet Revolver, i my opinon are the best (possibly second best) modern band around. My favourite tracks of contraband are: Slither, Fall To Pieces, Do It For The Kids, Dirty Little Thing, and Suckertrain Blues! Brilliant album 10/10… Expand
  11. julios
    Dec 3, 2005
    9
    It is rock and roll of the 21th century!! Really amazing
  12. KenB
    Nov 9, 2005
    9
    So they threw this good of an album together on their first attempt, I can't wait for the second album.
  13. PhilL.
    Oct 30, 2005
    10
    This album is amazing. It has it! Great guitar solos and great singing. This has a hint of old rock nothing like todays rock its way better!!
  14. JC
    Aug 5, 2005
    10
    This album rocks all the songs on the album are absolutely brilliant. Best Songs Sucker Train Blues, Slither, Dirty Little Thing and Do it For the Kids. It sounds much better than any of the GnR stuff.
  15. ConlanM
    Aug 2, 2005
    10
    This cd is a awesome new start for over half the band!
  16. ThaddyD
    Jul 29, 2005
    10
    What sounds better then a lp standard, tone knobs down, tube amp at 11 and a good singer to boost?
  17. chadh
    Jul 19, 2005
    10
    great album
  18. brianb
    Jul 3, 2005
    10
    this album rocks! the only reason i think somone would give it a bad review is if they where expecting the music to sound exactly like gnr.
  19. Avi
    Jun 17, 2005
    9
    The chemistry of Matt, Duff, and Slash is there. This band cannot be compared to GNR because it has nothing alike. This band is much more modern. I've been ashtonished by the solos of Slash. I think Weiland needs transformation into "Axl" - in his behaviour on stage.
  20. rinaldoc
    Feb 13, 2005
    10
    this album really rocks, it's even better than the guns n roses era that slash, matt and duff been through. slash is on the guitar even better, he did not lose the rhythm at all. matt's drumming is amazing. scott on the vocals is perfect. i could not pick an other singer out, better than axl rose.... people should think that these guys lost the inspiration because they have not this album really rocks, it's even better than the guns n roses era that slash, matt and duff been through. slash is on the guitar even better, he did not lose the rhythm at all. matt's drumming is amazing. scott on the vocals is perfect. i could not pick an other singer out, better than axl rose.... people should think that these guys lost the inspiration because they have not released a project for years...but they are contra of that.... full of esteam, power and rock n roll.........velvet revolver rocks !!!!!!!!!!!!!! my favorite number is do it for the kids......… Expand
  21. BrianJ
    Feb 12, 2005
    9
    One of my favorite CD's of 2004!!! Every song I really like!! Very good CD!!
  22. joasm
    Feb 10, 2005
    9
    absolutley blinding
  23. dp
    Feb 6, 2005
    10
    Now..if only Weiland could sing other than that a great cd Slash is the man
  24. JohnA
    Jan 14, 2005
    10
    Greatest album ive ever bought, Great guitar and lyrics, every song is brilliant after 2 listens
  25. ZaydeN
    Jan 12, 2005
    10
    A rare ingenuity in the world of rock, a dying species. The best album by any band in years. An instant classic.
  26. aveh
    Dec 8, 2004
    10
    it sucks compared to guns n' roses but way better than the alternative crap rock with 4 power chords and blink 182 type bands that pass as music these days.
  27. ToddTruelove
    Nov 24, 2004
    8
    The return of the lead guitar. Great album after a couple of years of ho-hum, bubble gum crap. Buy it.
  28. LachlanH
    Oct 5, 2004
    7
    Couple of good moments. Slash isn't loud enough. 'Nuff said.
  29. GaryS
    Sep 17, 2004
    8
    Great album, I got it, I listened, I got a sore neck. It shouldn't even be compared the wimpfest that is Audioslave.
  30. mord
    Sep 8, 2004
    9
    Not a dull track on the album. Great songs from start to finish. 'nuff said
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Awards & Rankings

23
#23 Most Discussed Album of 2004
56
#56 Most Shared Album of 2004

Critic Reviews

All reviews »
Metascore
65

Generally favorable reviews - based on 14 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 6 out of 14
  2. Mixed: 8 out of 14
  3. Negative: 0 out of 14
  1. Mojo
    80
    A perpetual guilty pleasure. [Jun 2004, p.107]
  2. Entertainment Weekly
    67
    Even at its sharpest, Contraband feels secondhand, and much of it is also hobbled by a disconnect between singer and band. [4 June 2004, p.79]
  3. Spin
    42
    This is a troubling record. There are some stellar moments, but it's mostly just troubling. [Jul 2004, p.105]
See all critic reviews »