Today, in 2004, while good music is still being appreciated, it is sad to say that the most popular music today is rap. Lately, the music industry has been run by young rap stars such as Eminem and Nelly who probably never had one music lesson as a child, and as a result,people have been purchasing ipods and downloading music programs off the internet on their computer.  For a long time, several people have been waiting for a good hard rock band to come along.  That band would be Velvet Revolver, who's debut CD, "Contraband", is a breath of fresh air compared to other music out there right now.  The band is Scott Weiland (formerly of Stone Temple Pilots) on lead vocals, Duff(the former Guns 'n Roses bassist) on bass, Slash (formerly of Guns 'n Roses) on guitar, Dave Kushner on guitar, and Matt Sorum is the drummer.  Sorum is also formerly of Guns 'n Roses.  The result is a good,hard rock album with prettty ballads such as "Fall To Pieces" and "You Got No Right", and hard rock songs such as "Sucker Train Blues", "Illegal i Song", "Superhuman", etc.  Velvet Revolver is very similiar to Guns 'n Roses, and you can see and hear it on this solid hard album, which, once the CD is finished, you will be left begging for more.  If you are ever in the mood for old, good rock music, turn to KISS, Slaughter, Aerosmith, Van Halen, Metallica, or Guns 'n Roses.  If you are ever in the mood for good, new rock music, turn to Velvet Revolver.  They won't let you down.