Myles Kennedy is one of the most recognizable voices in the rock genre, and I find few people disagree with me when I say he is one of the best. He is also an incredible guitarist and an accomplished songwriter. We have enjoyed his work in Alter Bridge and his collaboration with Slash and the Conspirators for years. In 2018, Myles released his debut solo album, “The Year of the Tiger,” and “The Ides of March,” in 2021. He again hooked up with drummer Zia Uddin and bassist Tim Tournier to record his third solo effort, “The Art of Letting Go.” The album drops this Friday, October 11.
The title track starts the album with a bluesy rock riff and hard-hitting drums. As always, Myles’ tenor vocals are bold and powerful, and the guitar solo is fun to listen to. “Say What You Will” is a bit heavier overall, with a catchy chorus and even some cowbell! This song was the first single from the album, and the official music video is quite humorous. They seemed to have a lot of fun writing and recording this song and video. The next track, “Mr. Downside,” fits the same mold with its driving riffs and upbeat choruses. The fourth track, “Miss You When You’re Gone,” uses acoustic guitar and starts a bit slower but picks up tempo and delivers a memorable chorus. This song was released as the album’s latest single. The official music video is an animated masterpiece. It’s worth watching if you haven’t seen it yet.
One of the many things Myles excels at is writing lengthy songs that bring listeners on an audio journey. My favorite song on the album is the near-six-minute song “Behind the Veil.” The blues-influenced song is brilliant. Although not nearly as long, it features a bridge that reminded me slightly of Ted Nugent’s “Stranglehold.” When you hear it, I think you’ll agree. “Saving Face” gets heavier again, and I love hearing Tournier’s bass lines. Track seven, “Eternal Lullaby, is a beautifully conducted ballad, and “Nothing More to Gain,” a groovy single released last July, is sure to be a live staple.
Another favorite of mine is “Dead to Rights.” This song features a lot of steel slides and sounds awesome. The last track, “How the Story Ends,” caught me off guard. Parts of the song feel very different from Myles’s normal repertoire, yet this song is very Myles Kennedy. It’s heavy, it’s raw, and it’s something you will feel in your soul. I loved “The Year of the Tiger” and “The Ides of March,” but “The Art of Letting Go” thrusts everything we love about Myles (great blues riffs, killer solos, and that extraordinary tenor voice) to a new level. This album is a must-have for your collection.
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