Jeff Beck and Johnny Depp 18 Review - It's Really Good, Really

Released on July 15, 2022, 18 is a collaborative recording between Jeff Beck and Johnny Depp. Beck said he found a kindred spirit in Depp bonding between cars and guitars which resulted in this project. Beck and Depp stated that working together "ignited their youthful spirit and creativity." According to Beck, both of them would joke about how they felt 18 again. 

Johnny Depp was actually a musician before his acting career took off. His mother bought him a guitar when he was 12 and started playing in bands. 

In 1979, at 16 years old, he dropped out of high school to become a rock musician.  Two weeks later he tried to go back to school, but the Principal told him to continue to follow his dream. 

He had local success with his band, The Kids, in Florida back in 1980. They moved to LA and attempt to get a recording contract.  The band changed their name to Six Gun Method. 

The band split up before getting a recording contract in 1984. Depp started collaborating with the band Rock City Angels. He co-wrote a song called "Mary" which appears on their debut album "Young Man's Blues."

Eventually, after a successful acting career, Johnny Depp started resurrecting his passion for music, working with esteemed artists like Joe Perry and Alice Cooper in the supergroup "Hollywood Vampires." The group also includes his friend Bruce Witkin on bass from his 1980s band "The Kids."

And here we are...

18 is not a smash hit pop album. But it is a good one none the less. Jeff Beck is amazing, of course. He just is getting more poetic on the guitar, and we can hear those subtle graces on the instrumental tracks.  Like this Beach Boys cover "Caroline No."

Johnny Depp's vocals remind me of Roger Waters and David Gilmore from Pink Floyd. The only thing missing is their sinster edge, which makes Pink Floyd songs so mischievous. Plus, there is a hint of Bono from U2 there as well. Overall, he sings well and you can hear the subtle soulfulness in his voice. Take a listen to the song he wrote "This is a Song for Miss Hedy Lamarr."

Overall, the highlights of the album are all Jeff Beck.  To his credit, he is always looking to take chances. This is recording is a good chance. It is a highly enjoyable listen.  It has a steady pace and dynamics are situated well and interesting.  The music ranges from slow ethereal soundscapes like "Midnight Walker" and "Time" to rollicking industrial rock like "Death and Resurrection Show." 

Johnny Depp does some nice vocals on the Smokey Robinson cover of "OOO Baby, Baby."

Everything culminates on the single and last track, John Lennon's "Isolation."

Please leave a comment below and let me know what you think.