Bought somewhere in Taranna in a forgotten sale bin.
DUFF McKAGAN’S LOADED – The Taking (2011 Armoury)
Duff McKagan is one of those guys who is always doing something. He is not predictable except to be always active, usually in the context of a band. Loaded is one such band, featuring three of Duff’s Seattle buds. This is their third LP, a tight and focused affair with short and heavy songs. Duff’s sloppy punk roots come forth, crossed with a healthy slab of heavy-as-fuck riffin’. Duff’s shout-singing has never been more apropos, and there are even a few moments of guitar solo nirvana.
The music is all well and good; nothing in particular will rival Guns N’ Roses or even Velvet Revolver, but some tunes are pretty cool. “We Win” has a simple anthemic quality, Leppard-like, that endears it well in the memory. Better still is “Dead Skin”, a scorching punk rocker that would have set well with another of Duff’s bands, Neurotic Outsiders. “Lords of Abaddon” and “Follow Me to Hell” which open and close the CD are fierce numbers that could cause speaker damage if cranked loud enough.
You really can’t throw enough praise at Duff McKagan, but The Taking is not one of his must-have efforts. Save for a look in the cheapie bin.
2.5/5 stars
This was a 200 word review in the tradition of the #200wordchallenge.
mikeladano.com 
Nicely done in 200 words!
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Thanks! 200 words is old hat now. I should think of new challenges. Maybe a review that is entirly pictorial. The #0wordchallenge.
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I have an idea for the #0wordchallenge. I am going to do it!
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I’d maybe give this a 3 or 3.5, as it’s pretty good fun… and it’s Duff… and I did pick it up cheap.
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Cheap is the way to go, I think. I’m not especially eager to find more Duff.
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I can’t argue with that. I much prefer him with Walking Papers (saw them live and up close). I’m also looking forward to whatever the Levee Walkers hit us with.
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I’m not familiar with either! But curious just the same. There are few artists as active consistently as Duff.
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You’re not!? I’ll need to see what I can do about that!
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Yes please do. In the meantime I gotta rip my Velvet Revolver to PC….
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Nice to see the 200 challenge format make a return – I’ve been wanting to explore more Duff, good to know he’s got better offerings elsewhere. I can’t help but admire an artist also moonlights as a financial planner!
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I hearby invite you to join the #0wordchallenge, my next endevour! I will review an album without using any words.
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I’m in!
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“a tight and focused affair with short and heavy songs. Duff’s sloppy punk roots come forth, crossed with a healthy slab of heavy-as-fuck riffin’. ”
This doesn’t seem like it should only get a 2.5…
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Meh. Not enough good tunage, too much filler.
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