Lighthouse

1987年にGuns N' Rosesのベーシストとしてデビューを果たし、説明不要の大成功を収める。97年に同バンドを脱退するが、99年には自身が主宰するバンド、Loadedを結成するなど精力的な音楽活動を続け、2002年からは、同時期にGuns N' Rosesを脱退したSlashと共に、マット・ソーラム、スコット・ウェイランド等を迎えたスーパーバンド、VelvetRevolverを結成。その後も多くのバンド、プロジェクトに参加。2019年にソロとしては実に26年ぶりとなるアルバム『Tenderness』をリリース、2023年10年、前作から約4年ぶりに3枚目のソロアルバムとなる『Lighthouse』をリリース。Slashやジェリー・カントレル(Alice In Chains)、更にイギーポップも参加する1枚!!

Duff McKagans 2019 solo album Tenderness was a solid effort built on strong songwriting and surprisingly articulate social commentary. The sets thoughtful political stances and mellow country-rock underpinnings were about as far as one could get in terms of both quality and content from the wasted debauchery McKagan is probably best remembered for from his early days in Guns N Roses. However, Tenderness made a case for the possibility that Duff had been a sensitive songwriter at heart all along. Lighthouse supports this idea with a new batch of well-composed, rootsy rock songs that still connect with McKagans punk rock spirit and benevolent world view. Recorded entirely at his home studio between 2019 and 2022, Lighthouse prunes from more than 60 songs to present the 12 best. Despite having a lot of material to sift through, the select tunes make for a relatively cohesive album thats held together by straightforward song construction and consistent energy. Theres a reprisal of the dusty Americana that made up the lions share of Tenderness on tracks like "Fallen Ones" and in the soft acoustic balladry of "I Just Dont Know," which crests with a bluesy guitar solo from Alice in Chains Jerry Cantrell. McKagans GNR compatriot Slash comes through for another big-name guitar solo cameo on "Hope," a simmering rocker that holds the same kind of mysterious tension Guns N Roses achieved on their more adventurous material. Theres a familiar over-the-topness to some of Lighthouse, such as the endless building of the title track and the overly anthemic performances on "Holy Water" -- just a few of the instances when McKagan approaches Use Your Illusion levels of overproduction. His songs have a greater impact the more stripped down they are, with the straightforward folk-punk narrative "I Saw God on 10th Street" and the Replacements-esque swagger of "Longfeather" being some of the albums most immediate and enjoyable moments. Iggy Pop shows up for the records equivalent of closing credits, reciting the lyrics to "Lighthouse" over a spacey reprise. Lighthouse picks up where Tenderness left off as a reminder of how Duff McKagans songwriting and artistic voice are more intelligent than anyone might have guessed when he was playing sold-out arenas in the hair metal era. Those who are already fans of his solo output will be thrilled with how powerful and considered this new set of songs is, and anyone yet to tune in will be pleasantly surprised at his depth. ~ Fred Thomas

前作同様、このソロ3作目でもアコギを基調にした平穏な曲調が並び、肩の力は抜けているのに、聴き手の背中を静かに押す気力に漲っている。各曲に豊潤なコーラスを入れつつ、カントリー調の"Forgiveness"におけるダフの雄大な歌声は絶品。そして、ラスト3曲でスラッシュ、ジェリー・カントレル、イギー・ポップと豪華ゲスト陣を配した流れも最高だ。
bounce (C)荒金良介