Guns N' Roses - G N' R Lies

Smooth pop ain't Rock!

"Good boys don't make rock'n'roll. Bad boys do."

Guys, this album can't even be called rock. It's just very bad quality smooth pop, that was SO unfortunate to put out "One in a Million" (which only makes it worse).

There a lot of GREAT rock albums out there. So, do yourself a favor and pass this record.


August 25, 2008

A Statement Album

If Appetite For Destruction told the story of who Guns N' Roses were, GN'R Lies was the band telling the world who they were NOT. That is to say, they were not just another one-dimensional hard rock band. GN'R Lies shows the band's flexibility as musicians and pays homage to their influences.

Though this album is an EP and was put out as a, say, pre-dinner snack while the band worked on their next full length(s), one should not be quick to judge the album as simply a "collection of odds and ends and tracks that didn't make their previous album." One of the greatest parts about GN'R Lies is how well thought out it was. The band were out to show that they could sell with a half acoustic album featuring only 2 songs that could have fit in next to the songs of Appetite For Destruction. A bold move indeed. It is important to note that this is a concept album. First off, the cover shows a tabloid-esque review of the band. It was during the period after their debut album "took off" until this point (and beyond), that Guns N' Roses was caught up in the whirlwind of media attacks and scrutiny: much of which the band claimed were "lies" - hence the name of the album. But not so fast, the album name isn't merely to tell the world that the band feel misrepresented; there is more to the name. The album itself is lies. That is the concept - it's Guns N' Roses pulling a fast one on everyone. The "Live ?!*@ Like A Suicide" songs are not live. It's a lie, but a clever one, since upon further investigation, the name actually suggests they are NOT live... that they are "as live as a suicide." Next, the choices of songs like Reckless Life and Nice Boys start off the album and make you think it's going to be Appetite For Destruction II. Then they roll in the horn section in the jam-esque Move To The City, followed shortly by 4 all acoustic tracks: complete with whistling and lyrics like "shed a tear cause I'm missing you." No, not the Guns N' Roses we all expected. Mix in a song that required a disclaimer from Axl that it was a joke (Used To Love Her) and a track that was essentially a bull's eye on the band's back for the media (One In A Million), and you've got a nice group of lies about Axl and band-mates being murderers, racists and homophobic -- all of which would be denied by the band... repeatedly.

And through all of this superficial deception, when we scratch a bit deeper, we find that lyrically, this is the band at it's most honest and introspective with lines like, "It's been such a long time since I've known right from wrong." To draw another comparison to their first album, Appetite For Destruction was a youthful cry out of the band's identity, no apologies, while GN'R Lies showed the band coming to fully understand their "reckless lives" and coming to terms with all that it entailed.

The story of Guns N' Roses cannot be told, nor fully appreciated without this album to bridge the no-holds-barred rock of Appetite For Destruction with the sprawling even poignant artistry of the Use Your Illusion albums. One could only wish for a few more tracks to turn the album from a "middle finger to the critics and dissenters" to a big "?!*@ you" to anyone who would question the greatness of the band. August 1, 2008

G N' R Lies

Guns N' Roses-Lies ****

Lies was the highly, highly anticipated follow up to Appetite for Destruction, the bands massively successful and not to mention classic debut album. Upon first listen you might not even realize it it is the same band who recorded that amazing debut; but while this might not be the groups strongest effort it remains their most ambitious and ultimate statement. Rose's vocals are stronger here than at any other time, and Slash/Izzy's guitar attack though sometimes acoustic looses no power creating a sound so unforgettable its ridiculous.

The first side of the album; the electric side. This is less than stellar to say the least. 'Reckless Life' is among the groups best rockers, while 'Nice Boys' is a nice idea but comes across as a parody of their debut. That seems to be the trend with the rest of the first side of the album. 'Move To The City is really a take it or leave it, and the cover of the Aerosmith classic 'Mama Kin' is nice but should have been much better.

'Patience' kicks off side two with a bang. While side two is almost entirely acoustic it rocks harder and better than the first side. 'Used To Love Her' and the remake of 'Your Crazy' are Axl at his most angry, other then the closer that is. 'One In A Million' is the most racist and homophobic songs in the groups canon and it is the bands boldest statement and greatest achievement over all. The track is genius and was the bands final statement before going arena rock.

While not as good as the debut it surpasses the Illusions albums hands down. Lies is one album that has to be heard. Many claim to have never listened to it and yet somehow have an opinion, It doesn't work that way. Not with Lies at least. Check it out it is worth it. July 22, 2008

Something for everyone

This album has something for everyone (even racists, if you thing about "One in A Million"), but generally was partially opportunistic (releasing the EP - Live Like a Suicide) and another four acoustic tracks. How it would look to fans was very much parodied within the album cover which exploits the tabloid nature of their press at the time. The songs are all solid, even the acoustic version of "Your crazy" generally seems to work better than the electric version. 'Patience' is a fantastic song which, at the time really showed people some of the potential range and scope of the band. "Used to Love Her" is very tongue in cheek and reminds me of the feel of "No Expectations" by the Rolling Stones. Signalled the potential for the band which would be more fully explored in the (somewhat overblown but with many good songs) Use your Illusion albums.

The Live - Like A Suicide EP really reminds me of Aerosmith, Johnny Thunders and New York Dolls. If you like those bands you will probably recognise the influence here. Great tongue and cheek lyrics "I lead a reckless life, and yknow, its my only vice". July 2, 2008

More GNR tastiness.

Is this disc essential to GNR fans?
Yup!
Patience alone makes it worth the seven bills.
A great ep with some great tunes.
Check it out. May 23, 2008

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