Duff McKagan's Lighthouse is indeed a captivating addition to his career. This album captures his more personal and introspective side, blending his signature rock edge with moments of acoustic tenderness. Featuring collaborators like Slash, Jerry Cantrell, and Iggy Pop, McKagan seems to bring together rock icons to amplify both the raw and reflective elements of his music. The standout tracks you mentioned—"Hope," with Abe Laboriel Jr. on drums and Slash on guitar, and "I Just Don’t Know," with Cantrell’s influence—highlight McKagan’s knack for melding heavy rock with introspective lyricism.
McKagan’s career path is remarkable, tracing all the way back to his punk beginnings with bands like The Vains and The Fartz to his legendary roles in Guns N' Roses and Velvet Revolver. His second solo album, Tenderness, showcased his interest in Americana and socially conscious themes, which may have set the stage for the reflective style of Lighthouse. His versatility shines through, especially with Shooter Jennings’ production, which frames McKagan’s songwriting within rich, genre-blending sounds.
Photos and review by Steve Sym. Photos from Duff McKagen performance at Outset in Chicago on 11/8/24
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