Myles Kennedy
Year Of The Tiger

Tackling a solo album is always a leap into the unknown, but it’s a step that nearly all artists take during their careers. For Kennedy, that moment came after years spent on the road first with Mayfield Four, and then finding well-deserved success with Alter Bridge and Slash.

“Year Of The Tiger” is a concept album revolving around the figure of Kennedy’s father, who died when Kennedy was just a child and significantly impacted the artist’s life. "When he fell ill, he chose not to seek medical treatment and died a few months later. I continue to grapple with this choice of his that ultimately led to his death," says Kennedy. Telling “his” story was impossible with Alter Bridge, and the artist decided to do it on his own, embracing an acoustic guitar and channeling his anger across various styles, yet well-blended together. The album sounds bluesy, country, and even folk, without ever descending into the banal or ridiculous.

Kennedy immediately plays the card of the title track, the year of the tiger in the Chinese calendar, the year his father died. It's one of the most "powerful" and fast-paced tracks on the entire album, where the artist explores folk sounds. Kennedy unleashes all his anger when singing “The Great Beyond,” one of the few tracks where the artist’s vocals are used on higher notes. In the blues of “Blind Faith,” Myles questions why one chooses to follow faith with conviction, as his father did. The words "You never compromise your faith But is it worth it in the end To never see my face again" are significant. It's impossible not to imagine oneself in the old west when “Devin On the Wall” begins, with its upbeat country rhythm. With “Mother,” he pays tribute to the courage of a mother who did not stop in the face of tragedy, but rather did everything for the well-being of the family. “Love Can Only Heal” touches perfection. A touching, emotional piece. The voice is low, “suffering.” No matter the pain, love will heal all, sings Kennedy, and the final solo is stunning. The album closes with the sunny “Songbird” and hopeful “One Fine Day.”

A journey into the singer's personal life. A pure, genuine, and heartfelt album. Those expecting an Alter Bridge-style record may initially be disappointed, but I am almost certain they’ll change their minds after a few listens. In conclusion, I can only praise this solo debut, hoping that in the future the singer will gift us with more gems like “Year Of The Tiger.”