Izzy Stradlin - River (CD)

All Music Guide

Despite keeping a fairly low profile since exiting the Guns N' Roses hype machine in 1991, guitarist Izzy Stradlin has issued solo releases on a sporadic basis including 2001's River. A long devotee of such rock roll outlaws as Keith Richards, Stradlin still possesses a similar vocal style to the aforementioned Rolling Stones cofounder, while River musically contains a heavy roots rock vibe especially the organlaced title track and "Get Away." That said, the albumopener, "Jump in Now," wouldn't sound out of place on modernday mainstream rock radio. Not a lot of surprises here, but judging from Stradlin's solo albums thus far, that's exactly the way he and his fans like it.

- Greg Prato, All Music Guide