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<\/a>Ever felt like a band truly had the misfortune of being dropped into the wrong musical era? You listen to an album and know that there would have been a much higher chance of commercial success for the band. All that said, it can be pretty awesome as a fan as we feel like we have this cool secret band that others would not understand, and you meet some really cool people along the way because they are also awesome enough to get \u201cit.\u201d Prophets of Addiction strike me as a great example of this as I listen to this acoustic-based album and know that some people would be totally put off by this album but then those same people probably don\u2019t get Johnny Thunders either so I wonder about them anyway\u2026. As Lesli Sanders and Glenn Gilbert have travelled across this world recently playing acoustic sets, this album provides an awesome studio souvenir of these shows.<\/p>\nThe first thing to make clear is that Lesli Sanders has a very distinctive voice that reminds me of several singers such as Tyla (Dogs D\u2019amour), Daniel Lucas (Boss Caine), Jesse Malin (DGeneration), etc. There is a gruffness, often a low baritone, and a clever slur to the words that serve the songs extremely well. Lead single and video from the album \u2018American Dream\u2019 makes the perfect opener from these songs as it features a strong quick hook, and some outstanding guitar work by Glenn Gilbert. There is a playfulness to the lyrics as Sanders looks back nostalgically on some old debauchery. The added piano really adds a nice touch as well. The tongue twister \u2018Altar of Altercation\u2019 follows with an extended acoustic guitar riff intro that loses some of the magic found in the electric version of the song. I catch myself each time thinking that I would rather hear it on an electric guitar. \u2018Babylon Boulevard\u2019 meanwhile sounds great stripped down in this format recalling something from one of Tyla\u2019s acoustic albums. The dark ominous tone works perfectly in the acoustic format with Sanders rambling style vocal working perfectly with the music. Gilbert nails a brief well picked solo.<\/p>\n
The band brings back some good time feeling vibes musically on \u2018Talkin.\u2019 Lyrically, Sanders tells us about someone that you just can\u2019t talk to because they turn everything against you with some subtle \u2018oooh\u2019s\u2019 added in parts. The guitar solo by Gilbert fits perfectly. Keeping a good time beat flowing, \u2018Last of the Words\u2019 is another of my favourites on here with its lyrical hook being extremely deadly. This really feels like we are lucky enough to be sitting in the room with the guys as they just start playing. The addition of the piano here again works perfectly and really adds some magic to the song.<\/p>\n
Flipping the album over\u2026 at least figuratively since that didn\u2019t work with the iPod\u2026 \u2018Spare the Bullets\u2019 brings us another solemn song that works extremely well because of its contrast with the end of side 1. Sanders sounds extremely fragile on the chorus with this being another song that should really appeal to others like myself that love Tyla\u2019s acoustic works. At nearly 5 minutes, this is an awesome epic. Following that one was never going to be easy, and it didn\u2019t initially help that \u2018Hollywood\u2019 was an early release song that didn\u2019t connect strongly with me. It has improved with multiple listens, but the jangle of the music and the hook just don\u2019t quite do it for me compared to the other songs here. The gentle \u2018Atmosphere\u2019 hits me hard though, and I can imagine that anyone who might have been chatting at a live show shuts up here. Sanders sounds like he is pouring out his heart (to borrow a term from another performer). The very minimal orchestra type backing works perfectly.<\/p>\n
\u2018Heart of Mine\u2019 keeps the momentum going and reminds me a bit of Michael Monroe going acoustic. Ironically, I have tended to prefer the verses to the chorus on this one for some reason, but this is simply quality acoustic rock n roll. Wrapping up the record, \u2018Return the Smile\u2019 gives us one final huge musical moment that is lifted by the resiliency in the lyrics. The initial darkness giving way to a message of hope and strength. I catch myself putting this song on repeat at the end of the record before I play it all over again. The chorus is simply beautiful.<\/p>\n
Prophets of Addiction have crafted a fine addition to their catalogue with this acoustic album feeling a bit like \u2018A Graveyard of Empty Bottles\u2019 by the Dogs D\u2019amour. At 10 songs, the album seems to pass by extremely quickly even with a couple of longer songs here. Sanders and Gilbert have done a great job of recreating the majority of these songs in this format with the only moment I caught myself wishing they had done something a bit different was on \u2018Altar of Altercation.\u2019 Don\u2019t be surprised if this album becomes your late night favourite first and then bleeds over to the morning. As I mentioned at the beginning, some will not get this record at all because it is not flashy, hip, or current. I will gladly take these songs from the gutters, back alleys, and dives that bleed passion, heart, and soul as they infuse my spirit.<\/p>\n
\u2018Nothing but the Truth\u2019 is available now Buy Here<\/a><\/p>\n