Living the Dream

Living the Dream is the fourth album, on which Slash deepened the bond with Myles Kennedy and the Conspirators and played riff-driven hard rock generously. Released in September 2018 on Slash's own label, Snakepit. It was written in the gaps of the Guns N' Roses reunion tour and recorded in the first half of 2018. It's also the first record with Frank Sidoris on rhythm guitar. The title isn't the straightforward “living the dream” — Slash says it's sarcasm aimed at the state of the world. The sleeve is by Ron English, as on the debut. Slash's guitar keeps an expression you can identify from one note, and Myles's soaring singing gives the songs a bright drive. “Driving Rain,” “Mind Your Manners” and “Boulevard of Broken Hearts” naturally tie together blues allure, classic rock's sturdiness and melodic choruses. In contrast to the previous album's sprawl, the concise twelve-song shape works well. Beyond showing technique, the joy of playing as a band comes forward. A record for enjoying hard rock with a live feel.