This is one of those underrated albums that I think will grow a cult following with time and become one of his highest regarded works, it really is a very good record. I would put this album on par with "Contraband," which did very well for VR.
I agree with this. For me it's my favourite Scott album since 'Contraband'. His vocals and melodies are so strong on this album and the rest of the guys are talented players, especially Bumblefoot. I also love Scott's lyrics on this album, especially on songs like 'Death of It', 'Aqualung' and 'Long Ago', for an album that was supposedly 'mailed in' it sounds anything but. Scott wasn't doing anything at the time and had just been kicked out of STP so I think he put more time and effort into the lyrics and vocals on this than he's letting on. The lyrics on 'Death of It' sound like they are referencing his split from STP. I think the only reason Scott dismissed this album and distanced himself from it was because he was promoting and touring 'Blaster' at the time and wanted the focus to remain on that, which is understandable.
I can't find it anywhere even at Best Buy. I know there is digital download but not the same for me. I'm old fashioned when it comes to playing music. Although I haven't heard this album front to back, the songs I have heard are better lyrically and melodically than "Blaster". He probably knew this album would take off better than "Blaster" so I too can understand why He did what he did to "dismiss" this work but I feel this type of success would have maybe helped him out of the depression he was going through while helping him out of a rut.
Yeah I'm in the minority of people around here who prefer this album to 'Blaster', the lyrics seem more personal and reflective and I agree that the vocals and melodies are stronger. I still dig 'Blaster' though, the tunes are catchy, I'm just not a huge fan of the 'fuzzy' production.
As for a physical copy of AOA, I ordered mine from Amazon around the time it was released. I haven't seen it in any stores in my area
AoA's production, and Scott's vocal performance on the album, absolutely blows Blaster away. Scott's vocals essentially sounds like what he would have done on a third Velvet Revolver album.
Blaster though has far better lyrics and sounds more inspired (and way less cheesy), but the production on it is awful. "Amethyst" is one of the top 10 songs Scott did in the last 10 years of his life, and unfortunately Scott's vocals are buried in the mix during parts of the song. "Modzilla" is the worst example of this.
I'm really glad though that we were able to get 2 more albums from Scott before he died. I had doubts that he'd record an album again during the Purple at the Core tour (I thought he might die then). I do think if Scott had actually invested more time into Art of Anarchy (and had a hand in choosing a producer), he could have pulled the band back a bit from their cheesy leanings and potentially made it an album with some radio hits.
I’m gonna have to disagree w/ you on this one. It’s not really the production I think of but the players. Scott played w/ STP & VR. All top notch professional performers. Even w/ Anarchy you have at least Bumblefoot and Moyer. In Weildabouts, you have players that are not of that level and you can’t argue that. Therefore, I feel that is where he was most challenged cuz he had limited music to play w/ compared to the bands before. STP/VR out rank and are more talented to create what Scott needs to be his level of songwriting he is accustomed to. So meaning, lyrically, you are looking at generic simplistic melody and words that fill space. It’s like when you hear the song, it really doesn’t take you anywhere like a sense of just being. When you listen to his other work, it’s like you’re in the words you feel the depth and heaviness. I’m also comparing “Blaster” lyrics to ALL his work. Like it’s a good call to say the Anarchy lyrics are ‘personal and reflective’ Saying it that way does represent that depth I speak of and why I say his lyrics to Anarchy vs Blaster is better.
So let’s say we make this a “double album” . The only song that really sticks in my mind is “Til the Dust is Gone” and to me that means I would grab and listen to Anarchy more than I would want to listen to “Blaster”. I do come from a Metal background also so I will lean more towards Anarchy anyway. The cheesiness is probably the fact that they do have a leftover hair metal band look & you have Scott in a hat & scarves, what?! I will agree to the VR third album sound.
My personal favorite look of Scott was Tiny Music time period btw. I think that was the last time I saw him look natural.
