Track Listing

1. Neither Can I
2. Dime Store Rock
3. Beggars & Hangers-on
4. Good to Be Alive
5. What Do You Want to Be
6. Monkey Chow
7. Soma City Ward
8. Jizz da Pit [Instrumental]
9. Lower
10. Take It Away
11. Doin' Fine
12. Be the Ball
13. I Hate Everybody (But You)
14. Back and Forth Again

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #37549 in Music
• Released on: 1995-02-14
• Number of discs: 1
• Dimensions: .20 pounds

Customer Reviews

Great guitar rock album
4. 5 Stars

Slash...a guitarist that needs no introduction. In the late 80s, while rock was up to its waist in Eddie Van Halen clones, Slash brought the classic sound of Joe Perry and Jeff Beck back in style. His playing thrilled and captivated a generation of fans. His signature top-hat and dangling cigarette became synonymous with cool. As the lead guitarist for Guns N' Roses ('85-'93) he was more than just a guitar hero, he was a pop-cultural icon.

Fast-forward to 2004. Almost a full decade after the demise of the original Guns N' Roses, Slash makes a huge comeback with his new band Velvet Revolver. But what about the ten years between Guns N' Roses and Velvet Revolver?

When (then) Guns N' Roses guitarist Slash went into the studio to record "It's Five O' Clock Somewhere," (1995) it was not initially supposed to be a solo project or a new band. Anxious to get back on the road with a new album, Slash recorded a batch of new songs and presented them to Axl Rose as the follow-up to the "Use Your Illusion" (1991) albums. Much to Slash's disappointment, Slash claims the material was shot down by Rose as sounding "too retro." (NOTE: In Rose's defense, he claims he would have worked with the material, as it had potential.) Not wanting to waste the songs, Slash formed a new band to finish the material and release an album. Slash retained (then) Guns N' Roses drummer Matt Sorum and rhythm guitarist Gilby Clarke, who had just recently left GN'R. Alice In Chains bassist Mike Inez and the unknown vocalist Eric Dover rounded out the band.

In the early days of post-grunge, when old-school guitar AOR was all but left-for-dead, "It's Five O' Clock Somewhere" was a complete throwback to 70s/80s arena style rock. Lyrically, however, the album's themes; death, nihilism, defeatism, completely fit the cynical 1990s. In short, it was an old-school sounding rock album updated for the times. Released in early '95, Slash called "It's Five O' Clock Somewhere," (paraphrasing) "the alternative to alternative."

Eric Dover, with his whiskey-stained raspy vocals, is a good, if not great singer. While some have criticized him as a "second rate-Axl Rose," this critique isn't really fair. While Dover is no Rose, he gets the job done. The underrated Gilby Clarke proved to be an able gunner as Izzy Stradlin's replacement on the "Use Your Illusion" tour and "The Spaghetti Incident" (1993) covers album. Clarke also proved to be a gifted songwriter with his excellent debut "Pawnshop Guitars" (1994). While it's a shame Clarke was never afforded the opportunity to write with GN'R, his contributions to the Snakepit album was the next best thing. While Slash is no doubt the star of "It's Five O' Clock Somewhere," Clarke thickens the sound and is a more-than-able player. Sorum and Inez proved to be a first rate rhythm section.

Like any great band, Guns N' Roses was the sum-total of all its parts. Izzy brought in a Stones/Faces classic rock element, Duff brought in a tad of punk, and Axl provided a grand artistic vision. With Slash, it was all about the blues-based, kick-ass screeching guitars. So while Slash's Snakepit was band on paper, it was really just a showcase to let Slash do his thing.

While Slash is undoubtedly a great guitarist, he is in all honesty, not the greatest songwriter in the world. Slash needs a foil like Axl Rose or Scott Weiland to help channel and craft his songs. Minus a Rose or a Weiland, "It's Five O' Clock Somewhere" doesn't quite have songs as memorable or well-crafted as Guns N' Roses or Velvet Revolver. Be that as it may, "It's Five O' Clock Somewhere" does have killer riffs and solos. In fact, "It's Five O' Clock Somewhere" features some of Slash's best riffs and solos he's ever recorded. The Slash element, so prevalent and essential to the sound of classic Guns N' Roses, is in full-front-and-center throughout this album.

Slash is a great player because, unlike so many guitar heroes, he's not just another self-indulgent wannabe Eddie Van Halen. A blues-based player, he plays straight from the heart. If you're a fan of Slash's work with Guns N' Roses and Velvet Revolver, you don't want to miss out on this album, as it contains some of Slash's best work.

What Slash was all about on Appetite for Destruction
Slash is a one-of-a-kind guitar player, and any fan can pick out a new song from one of Slash's bands (the latest being Velvet Revolver) just on his unique bluesy guitar style. After seeing the direction Axl wanted to take GNR with electronic music, it was a relief to see Slash get back to his roots, to the blues music he loved, and release this outstanding album with the very talented Eric Dover on vocals.

This is an album for hard rock fans who thought Appetite was the best thing to come out of GNR. If over-the-top stuff like Novemeber Rain is your favorite, you might not appreciate Slash's Snakepit as much. This is Slash truly playing the music he wanted to do with GNR.

There are some great blues rock songs on here, especially Be the Ball and Neither Can I. Personally, I love Doin' Fine, which is nothing but a pure party song. I've played that for a lot of non-GNR fans and they've enjoyed it.

On a side note, I had the pleasure of seeing Slash's Snakepit open for AC/DC back in 2000, and Dover did a dead-on impression of Axl singing Mr. Brownstone that proved the band had a great sense of humor along with their immense talent.

Very good debut album by ex-Gunner 'Slash'.
As a debut album by former Guns N' Roses guitar-god, Slash, shows to a great extent just how much input on the sound of his former band. He brings this style to "It's Five O'Clock Somewhere". It's brash, occasionally rough, bluesy, but definately rock and roll. Just so you know, the hignlights of this record are Neither Can I, Dime Store Rock, Beggars and Hangers On, and a few more. His attempt at a love song in I Hate Everybody (But You), dedicated to his former wife, Renee, is okay as well. Pick this one up is you dig Guns N' Roses and Slash's bluesy rock style, you will be happy with the purchase.