We Review Richie Sambora's "Indie Rock" Album

No one ever said it was an Indie record! It isn't meant to be an Indie Record you morons! Sambora signed with an independent label but it's a Rock record, that's all you geniuses! According to you Sambora can't do anything good and if by any chance he manages to do something acceptable it's somehow similar to something someone has done before! What's the matter with you? This is the shittiest review I've ever read bacause clearly you don't like Sambora and are trying to sink him and his work. "Aftermath of the lowdown" is a very good album, but, of course, it's not made for jerks, that's why this pseudo journalist didn't like it. 

No one ever said it was an Indie record! It isnt meant to be an Indie Record you morons! Sambora signed with an independent label but it's a Rock record, that's all you geniuses! According to you Sambora can't do anything good and if by any chance he manages to do something acceptable it's somehow similar to something someone has done before! What's the matter with you? This is the shittiest review I've ever read bacause clearly you don't like Sambora and are trying to sink him and his work. "Aftermath of the lowdown" is a very good album, but, of course, it's not made for jerks, that's why this pseudo journalist didn't like it. 

This 'review' rendered completley useless by the fact no one is claiming it to be a indie record. It's being realised by Dangerbird Records who mostly have indie artists on their books, but Sambora has never claimed this is anything other than a 21st century Richie Sambora album. 

Who hired this writer? This guy is a moron. Get someone who actually knows and respects music in here.

It seems as though Richie's decision to release his album on an indie label (and offer high-priced pre-release packages) is the focal point of the reviewer's resentment. On the surface, one (even a fan, such as myself) can understand this: After all, Richie's primary job is that of guitarist for Bon Jovi, a band many rock music critics look down upon as part of a corporate-rock, money-making machine, the very antithesis of the spirit of independent artists. It is true that Richie Sambora has been a part of Bon Jovi for 30 years now.

However, Richie has his own story, apart from the band that made him famous. A self-taught guitarist, he sang lead and played guitar in numerous bands, gaining credibility as a working musician the old-fashioned way in the late 1970s/early 1980s. He even created his own indie label in the early 80s at one point. Then Bon Jovi happened and the rest, as they say, is history.

But just because Richie Sambora is a member of such a commercially-successful band doesn't negate his talents as a musician, or the fact that he has something to say. Why an indie label? Well, why not? It's not as if Richie's two previous solo albums, released in 1991 and 1998 on major labels, were commercial blockbusters. It is my understanding that, back then,  he simply wanted to express himself as a musician, apart from the constraints of Bon Jovi, and did so, even though he knew the albums most likely wouldn't sell much or gain much attention (and they didn't). But that doesn't mean some fans, critics and other musicians didn't take notice (Eric Clapton guested on Richie's song 'Mr. Bluesman," for example). Likewise, with his newest effort, it's simply not going to draw a lot of attention, compared to his work with Bon Jovi.  Apart from the bombast of that band,  Richie's solo music glows quietly, just waiting to be discovered. 

As a fan of blues-based rock and r&b music, and soulful, gritty vocals, Richie as solo artist is what intrigues me as a listener more than his contributions to Bon Jovi. From his first solo album, in 1991, a blues-based effort, to his second album, 1998's "Undisovered Soul," Richie was attempting to make the sort  of music he wished to make. Instead of writing for another lead singer, he was writing for himself. In my opinion, none of his solo works sound like Bon Jovi albums. I also feel Richie's vocal, influenced as it is by blues and r&b, is vastly underrated and even better than Jon Bon Jovi's nowadays.

So now, onto his latest solo effort, "Aftermath of the Lowdown." I listened to it, and I enjoyed it. Richie's vocals and guitar playing are expressive and soulful as always: The urgency and aggressiveness of "Burn the Candle Down" to the naked confessional that is "You Can Only Get So High," to the optimism of "Every Road Lead Home to You" to the palpable ache of "Seven Years Gone," this album is full of heartfelt and meaningful music detailing Richie's numerous struggles over the past decade of his life. Richie has the freedom to jam here with extended guitar solos, something that sounds exciting to me after the limited soloing he has done more recently in Bon Jovi.

Unfortunately, it seems as though the reviewer here wasn't willing to give these songs a chance, because he was already too peeved at Richie's choice of label, that he dare equate himself with the 'indie' moniker. While it's true that Richie certainly doesn't need the money, this album is far from a vanity project. None of his solo albums have fallen into that category. He's a working musician that loves to make music. As for the track-by-track analysis done in the review, well, what artist doesn't write from a point of reference that includes the a variety of musical influences? Every artist is influenced by the music they listen to and some of that is bound to seep into their own creations. That on its face doesn't make the songs unworthy of independent analysis, however.

So to conclude, I welcome this new album and am glad that Richie conquered his demons in order to be able to share his artistry, thoughts and this personal collection of songs with us. Fourteen years between solo albums is a long time, but was worth the wait. 

The guy writing this is a clown!! Stop writing rubbish. JJovi92, well said!

@realBlueswoman @therealSambora @laweeklymusic That interview is not a good one. I didnt enjoy reading that. Richie is an awesome songwriter

Paul. This is not a music review. This is a bashing. Understandably some music is not to other people's taste. But this cannot even be classed as a music review. How about I give you MY side to a music review.  Fans of Richie's music have waited a long time for this solo CD, and it was sure worth the wait! From all the song's you have slammed, come from a very personal and very deep story, which is why the true fans truly appreciate the amount of honest and pure depth Richie has put into the lyrics for this album! Richie's new CD is something for everyone, with the slower songs, the real rock and if you actually spent time to read the lyrics you would see the amount of passion within those lyrics.

Stating that Richie should play in "legit places" is ridiculous! The venues currently out are damn good venues and to be honest, I like the intimate venues, it allows the true fans of his music to really feel the passion and love through his music.

Who cares if you don't think its "indie" who cares?! Who cares at what label the music has! Its the music that counts here. Which you clearly have not thought about. You have not gone through each song and its meaning behind it, instead bashed it with a very un-funny line. 

So before you write up another review. I will give you some lovely tips to follow!

1) Actually LISTEN to a music CD before reviewing it. Actually works believe it or not.

2) Read up the lyrics if you cant hear properly, read into depth the REAL meaning behind them.

3) Do your research on VENUES. The venues Richie is playing are LEGIT!

4) Get a time machine and join the world of real music, and stop being stuck on the "Its not/It is/ Indie" Who cares?!

Maybe if you follow these simple lil steps, your next music review might be slightly more decent!

Richie's new CD ROCKS! And It's currently on constant repeat! Thank you Richie for sharing such a personal and deep filled record with us! Another BRILLIANT CD and well worth the wait! See you on tour in October!

where is the review? reads more like Sambora bashing to me....

Dear Mr. Bradley,

I smell some shit here and this smell comes from your brain. Your review is ridiculous! If you're a Richie or Bon Jovi hater, you should shut up and be in your place...Lost in the middle of nowhere. You should know that envy could kill...You're an asshole!

@LAWeekly I originally bought Sambora's solo album he made a few years back. Really liked it a lot.