Year of the Tiger cover

Year of the Tiger

Myles Kennedy · 2018

63 min · 15 tracks · hard rock

A soulful blend of bluesy rock and introspective lyrics that reflects on personal struggles and resilience.

Top tracks — play these first

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    Year of the Tiger — The title track sets the thematic tone of the album, addressing themes of rebirth and personal growth through vivid storytelling. Its blend of traditional rock elements with poignant lyrics exemplifies Kennedy's artistic identity.
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    Blind Faith — This track showcases Kennedy’s vocal range and emotive delivery, tackling issues of trust and vulnerability in relationships. The instrumentation complements the reflective mood, making it a standout moment on the album.
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    Love Can Only Heal — As one of the album's most powerful ballads, this song highlights Kennedy's ability to convey deep emotional resonance through both lyrics and melody. The reflective nature of the song serves as a cathartic resolution within the album's narrative.
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    Haunted by Design — This track features intricate guitar work paired with haunting lyrics that explore themes of regret and introspection. It stands out for its lyrical complexity and the rich atmosphere it creates.

Elevation

Our rating, out of 100 — and why.

AI-generated from five scored dimensions. An opinion, not a measurement.

50 /100
Foothills
Higher than 23% of albums we've rated

The album blends personal themes with solid songwriting but lacks strong cohesion due to its length and bonus tracks.

What we noticed

  • The first half of the album features a consistent mid-tempo pace, while the second half introduces slower ballads that create a reflective atmosphere.
  • Several tracks incorporate layered guitar harmonies and bluesy solos, particularly in 'Blind Faith' and 'Ghost of Shangri La'.
Composition 25% of the score
7/10

the writing — melody, harmony, structure, lyrics

Craft 20% of the score
6/10

production, performance, arrangement

Durability 25% of the score
6/10

whether it rewards returning to it

Distinctiveness 18% of the score
6/10

whether it sounds like itself

Sequencing 12% of the score
5/10

running order, pacing, length

Influence 2/10

Little footprint beyond its audience. Reported but not counted — how far a record travelled describes its reception rather than the record, and a newer release has had less time to travel than an older one.

Is this for you?

Good fit if you like

  • dynamic journey with emotional peaks
  • introspective reflections on resilience
  • engaging acoustic versions for depth
  • wave-like pacing that captivates
  • for contemplative afternoons

Maybe skip if you

  • seeking instant gratification tracks
  • prefer standalone singles only

Where this album fits

Career context
Year of the Tiger is Myles Kennedy's debut solo album, following his work with Alter Bridge and Slash featuring Myles Kennedy and the Conspirators. This release allowed him to explore a more personal sound, stepping away from the hard rock genre associated with his previous bands. It marks a significant moment in his career, showcasing his versatility as a songwriter and musician.
Stylistic neighbors
Alter Bridge· Slash· Seether

Tracklist

Best experienced from track one — press play and let it unfold.

  • 1 Year of the Tiger 3:40
  • 2 The Great Beyond 4:49
  • 3 Blind Faith 4:29
  • 4 Devil on the Wall 3:44
  • 5 Ghost of Shangri La 3:32
  • 6 Turning Stones 3:37
  • 7 Haunted by Design 3:39
  • 8 Mother 3:42
  • 9 Nothing but a Name 5:00
  • 10 Love Can Only Heal 5:32
  • 11 Songbird 4:04
  • 12 One Fine Day 4:50
  • 13 Nothing but a Name (Demo Acoustic Version) 4:51
  • 14 The Great Beyond (Demo Acoustic Version) 4:44
  • 15 Haunted by Design (Demo Acoustic Version) 3:45

Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata