Impressions/Thoughts:
I’m not a fan of Alter
Bridge, or rather I haven’t had the chance to listen to any of their music
before this album was released. What I’m saying is that this is my entry into
the music of this band and it will foretell if I will go back to check out
their previous albums. From what I know of the members of Alter Bridge, is that the vocalist/guitarist Miles Kennedy is also the singer of Slash’s solo band and I know of Mark Tremonti’s guitar virtuosity. I think it’s funny to point out,
for those that don’t know, that three fourths of the band were in the band Creed.
I’ve heard of Alter
Bridge in podcasts and articles, so I knew that they at least had something
going for them, because a band that is talked about must be good. So for this
album my only real introduction was the video of the opening track “Show Me a Leader”. I liked it so I
decided to purchase it when it came out.
The Music:
“Show Me a Leader”
has a serene intro that sounds very majestic. When the bass and drums enter,
the riff takes off and the guitar soars over the rest of the instrumentals.
Then the main riff begins and propels the song forward. This song is very
relevant with the American presidential election looming over us. The song is
about the people who are tired and numb from their so called leaders leaving
them cold. They want a leader who is trustworthy, who won’t compromise and will
give them hope. They don’t need a person who is selling themselves as or being
sold as a savior. “Show Me a Leader” is a good opening track that makes you want to
hear more.
“The Writing On the
Wall” is a song that makes you think about how others can see the writing on
the wall but you can’t. I like how the vocals mimic the riff in the beginning
part of the song. It has a nice complex riff as the guitars, bass and drums
form a good harmony. Lyrically, it imposes the thought that there’s nobody else
to blame but you for whatever sins you commit or actions that you repeat over
and over again. Overall it’s another great song.
“The Other Side”
is distinctly heavier than the previous songs. It opens with a soft chant and
builds up and then the instrumentals to join in. One thing that I found that
was omitted in this song was that there was no big long guitar solo. The song
sound dark as the notes continually descend the scale. I find this song is
about people who are self-righteous or closeminded about faith and
spirituality. In that they are often not open to other people’s views. They
judge others and say they’ll go to hell while they claim that they have a
straight path to heaven. When in reality they are only setting themselves up
for damnation.
“My Champion” is
a much more upbeat song in both sound and lyrics. The song’s riff sonically
rises up the scale. In this song, we have the return of a big guitar solo which
is another showcase of the bands abilities. Thematically, I see parallels to Survivors famous song “Eye of the Tiger”. It’s about rising up
when your knocked down and never giving up. It has an encouraging theme which
leaves the listener with a good feeling.
“Poison In Your Veins”
jumps in with the drums and a fast riff. The chorus is really catchy and makes
the listener want to sing along to it. Again, there is another great guitar
solo. The song is very emphatic and hooks in the listener till the very end. Lyrically
the song is about how some people have aspirations, but beat themselves up and
don’t let themselves peruse their dreams. They have a poison in their blood, so
to speak, that continuously beats themselves down. These people never reach
their goals or potential in life because they self-destruct and this song is
encouraging people to cast aside their self-doubt to achieve their dreams.
“Cradle To the Grave”
has a very powerful and engaging opening riff that immediately hooks in the
listener. This song has two great solos placed in the later part of the song.
This is a somber song which makes you contemplate your relationships with your
parents and siblings and that you realize when they’re gone you won’t have
their arm around you to shelter you. This song deals with the loss of someone
close to you like a mother or father. It also touches on the fact of how inevitability
time passes by and how nothing lasts forever. All that we’re left with is our
memories to fall back on.
“Losing Patience”
is another song that makes you want to listen to the message which is strongly
enforced by a catchy chorus. It is a song about how instead of just waiting
around for something to happen that you should just go out and make it happen. Carpe diem.
“This Side of Fate”
has a more serene riff than most of the other songs on the album. The song
almost sounds like a ballad, but the riff picks up for the chorus and solos. This
song allows the vocalist Miles Kennedy to display his ability. This song is
about living with your decisions and the outcomes.
“You Will Be
Remembered” is a softer song, and has an almost country or gospel vibe to
it. It’s a very different song that adds a distinctive flavor to the album. The
song is very uplifting and is very easy to listen to. Lyrically, it’s about
people who sacrifice a lot, even themselves, for others. These heroes should be
appreciated for their accomplishments and be remembered.
“Crows On a Wire”
is one of the heavier songs on the album. The beginning of the song starts off
with a great guitar sound and drums that makes you want to move to the beat.
Then, the vocals are added to carry the melody throughout the entire track. It
is rather upbeat sounding. Throughout the entire song you hear the guitar, bass
and drums with one guitar solo. Lyrically, the song is about power and glory. For
anyone in the public eye, no secrets can be hidden. Being in the spotlight can
be a double edged sword. Some people can build you up while others want to take
you down. Our society likes to put people up on pedestals and then tear them
down. Overall, It’s a great tune to listen to.
“Twilight” is a
more upbeat song in comparison to the previous track. The chorus has an
interesting dynamic as it starts with backing vocals with the main vocals following
afterwards. The song stresses the need for tolerance. The world is in conflict
and if we as people don’t tolerate others we’re going to destroy the world we
live in, and we only have ourselves to blame. Hoping that things don’t get
worse, while we are looking and praying for changes for a better future.
“Island of Fools”
has a progressive sounding riff that make it sound epic. Later in the song, the
riff becomes much heavier right around the time when the guitar solo takes
place. The message of the song seems to be that we all have certain images of
what life should be, but our dreams are shattered through our experiences in
life. So we have to have courage and perseverance to pick up the pieces to save
ourselves. If we don’t work towards our destiny, we’ll just be fools waiting for
the future to unfold.
The title track, “The
Last Hero”, is the closing song on the album, not including bonus tracks. The
melody of the chorus is reminiscent of another song on the album, which creates
some continuity to the album. The riff progresses and becomes heavier, then
changes to a more serene sound which bridges right into the chorus. This song
has more great guitar soloing from the band. The question posed in this song is,
“Are there any more heroes left in this word?” Leaders try to bring change about,
but others tried to undermine them. Time will tell whether their decisions were
right or wrong, but it doesn’t help when they are being downtrodden. With the first
song “Show Me a Leader”, the eighth
song “This Side of Fate” and this
track, it almost feels like they are a continuation of a similar theme.
“Last of Our Kind”
is a bonus track that came with the digital and special edition versions of the
album. This song is on the heavier side which is reflected in the lyrics. The solo
by Mark Tremonti is phenomenal.
“The lyric was actually inspired by when the exterminator came to our house because we had carpenter ants. And after he sprayed the house and I went up and looked at all the ants writhing around dying, I felt so bad and it broke my heart. So the song is written about being exterminated from the ants’ perspective!” (Miles Kennedy, musicradar.com)
The song is from about human’s impact on other species which
in the mind of the masses is rarely contemplated.
“The title was actually supposed to be Symphony Of Agony.” (Miles Kennedy, musicradar.com)
There is another bonus track, “Breathe”, on the exclusive CD version which can only be purchased
at Best Buy. Unfortunately, I don’t have this bonus track so I can’t review it.
Although, you can check out this little tidbit of the song below.
Verdict:
This band has some major talent, as both the lyrical content
and instrumentals are phenomenal. This album is on the longer side being 72
minutes, which includes the first bonus track. From another review I read, they
said that this album is top heavy. In a way, I agree. Most of the first half of
the album has very catchy songs that hook their riffs and melodies in you which
makes it more memorable. The latter half is no black sheep though there are
some great songs on there, some of which are growers and you have to listen to
them a few times to appreciate them. Overall, The Last Hero is a great
album that I recommend you take a listen to it and the other songs and albums
by Alter Bridge.
Top 6 Songs:
1) “My Champion”
2) “Show Me a Leader”
3) “Poison In Your
Veins”
4) “The Writing On
the Wall”
5) “The Other Side”
6) “Crows On a Wire”
 |
| From left to right: Scott Phillips, Myles Kennedy, Mark Tremonti and Brian Marshall |
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