Duff McKagan – Lighthouse

I was surprised by Duff McKagans previous album “Tenderness”, four years ago. Sure, the Guns n Roses bassist had visited ballad-country before; remember McKagan’s tender Johnny Thunders tribute “So fine” from “Use your illusion II” in 1991. Furthermore, his first solo album “Believe in me” (1993) had its fair share of acoustic guitars. Still, “Tenderness” was something else altogether; a back-to-basics, laidback record. This new album follows in the footsteps of “Tenderness” and is every bit as thoughtful as its very pensive predecessor. The artist himself describes the album as “A ship tossed like a toy through the Cape, sails ripped and the wood groaning with the scraping of its ballast….a soul trying with all its might to find peace and a center; find a lighthouse.” And there you have it, basically a search of peace of mind. Freedom from depression and panic attacks. Which doesn’t mean it’s all self-centred. “I saw God on 10th Street”, for example, adresses the war in Ukraine in the manner of a semi-punk rock Bob Dylan. Punk rock? Yes, the record is a bit rockier than “Tenderness”. In the middle of all the 70’s Rolling Stones influences, you’ll find bits and pieces of what made Guns n Roses great. The majestic “Hope” could even have been a Guns tune, complete with a guest spot from guitarist Slash, who adornes it with great solo bits. Other guest spots include Jerry Cantrell (Alice in Chains) who contributes guitars to “I just don’t know” and Duff’s erstwhile band boss Iggy Pop, who narrates the record’s spoken outro. McKagan himself has a rich and spicy voice, warm, inviting, and very convincing, true to his earnest and tender lyrics.