Appetite for G n' R (Appetite For Destruction - Guns n' Roses)

Member Name: steedandpeel

Product:	Appetite For Destruction - Guns n' Roses
Date:	08/08/09 (37 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Truely classic album, some amazing songs

Disadvantages: A few 'filler' tracks

Appetite for Destruction was the first proper rock album I owned. It was released in 1987 and was the album that broke Guns n' Roses into the mainstream, making them international superstars and the ultimate stadium filling rock band of the late 80s/early 90s.

The album was first released on vinyl with extremely controversial cover art - a hand drawn representation of a girl having been raped by a robot monster. This was understandably shocking and this artwork was quickly withdrawn and replaced by more consumer friendly artwork. I must now confess something - I first owned this album on vinyl, with the original artwork. However, I fell out of love with GnR in my late teens, and I sold the album at a car boot sale for 10p! This original version of the album (not reprints) is now very rare and sells for considerable sums of money. How stupid was I? especially since I rediscovered my love for GnR and re-bought the album on CD a couple of years ago, following a near punch up in Tesco (which I won) to get the last copy from the shelf for a bargain £5.

Listening to the album, it instantly takes me back to being a wannabe rebellious 13 year old (I never really rebelled). The first track is Welcome to the Jungle, which was their first hit. The song starts with Slash's classic guitar work, which gently builds up with drums and bass before exploding into a rocking tune. Axl screeches autobiographic lyrics about the bewilderment and confusion felt by a recent arrival to LA, coupled with the feeling of endless possibility and excitement. It's a great way to kick off the album.

Second up is It's so Easy, featuring a heavy baseline and reflecting a punk influence. I think this song was mainly penned by and sung by Duff , which fits with the more punky feel of the track. It's not one of my favourites, but it is atmospheric and rocks along at a fair pace.

Night Train is the next track on the album. Slash's guitar riff echoes Axl's vocals perfectly in the chorus. The lyrics are about the bands use of a cheap brand of alcohol, Night Train. They show a tinge of regret about binge drinking "I'm on the night train, ready to crash and burn, I'll never learn". I find the lyrics poignant lyrics for a band that beginning to become ravaged by Heroin and alcoholism that would damage them irreparably.

The next song is Out Ta Get Me, which rocks out a paranoid vocal, based on the band, and in particular Axl's perceived persecution by the cops. It is an angry song, Axl screaming "I'm F***ing Innocent!", perfectly complemented by the angry axe work.

Mr Brownstone is probably my favourite song on the album. It has a great riff and almost sing-a-long lyrics, which details the daily routine of the band. However, despite the cheery disposition of the song, it is actually another song about the band's slide into Heroin addiction, Mr Brownstone is a euphemism for the narcotic. The lyrics "I used to do a little but a little wouldn't do, so a little got more and more" classically represent the junkies lament. The second verse, details the daily life of the band once fully in the grip of Heroin, contrasting the first verse "I get up around 7, get out of bed around 9" to the second "now I get up around whenever".

The 6th track on the album is Paradise City, one of GnR's most famous songs. The long has a quiet build up showing off that famous guitar riff, before exploding into the classic heavy rock riff it is known for. Again, the lyrics are tinged with longing for another world and lover who will remove Axl from the crazy confusion his life has become and sooth away his pain. It is essentially about striving for a better life, but being unable to raise yourself up out of the gutter. The pleading "Take me home, oh won't you please take me home", shows the extent of this yearning. In addition to the lyrics, the song changes tempo and pace throughout to give a sense of urgency to the request.

My Michelle is a song about a girl, Michelle who is a heavy drug user and whose life is in the gutter. I'm not a big fan of the song, and find the lyrics very judgemental from a group of self-confessed junkies.

Think About You is a heartfelt love song, played at a fast tempo. The song includes melodious guitar harmonies as well as the usual rocking guitar riffs. Axl's lyrical style verges towards the screechy at times, in an attempt to demonstrate the passion in his words. However, I'm not a massive fan of this song, especially when compared to the next song on the album...

Sweet Child O' Mine is probably the definitive rock love song. Slash's famous guitar riff sets the tone for the beautiful and passionate lyrics that follow. It seems that Axl has finally found the girl who will take him to the Paradise City. However, the sweet child in question was Erin Everley who was to become Axl's wife for approximately 10 minutes, so in the end, there was no happy ending. The song has an extended guitar solo, which shows off Slash's skills, without too much noodling, before breaking down for the atmospheric "where do we go now" lyrics. All in all, I really like this song and it still stands the test of time as a classic rock ballad.

I'm not such a fan of the version of the next song, You're Crazy. I love the lyrics and the way it is put together. However, a verion of the song appears stripped back and slowed down on the acoustic side of the Gn'R Lies album, and is this one of my favourite ever Gn'R songs. The Appetite for destruction version is rocked up and at a faster tempo. It doesn't have the same power as the acoustic arrangement. I'm always disappointed to hear the electric version.

Anything Goes is the penultimate song and it has all the elements of classic Gn'R, with the explosive guitars, sing-a-long lyrics and fast changing tempo. However, I'm not convinced by it, and tend to think of it as an album filler track.

The album closer is Rocket Queen, which vies for position of my favourite with Mr Brownstone. The song has an atmospheric build up with layering guitars. The lyrics are basically about a younger man putting himself in the hands (ahem) of an older and more experienced women. The song is basically about sex. Indeed, according to Slash's autobiography, the sexual noises in the song are genuine, tapped between Axl and a porn star one day in the studio. The song finishes on a down-tempo note with Axl again pouring out his love to a woman, which ends the album with an uplifting feeling.

In reviewing this album, I've listened again to the whole thing with a critical ear. I must admit, that although this still stands the test of time and is rightly regarded as a classic, my memory has been slightly selective. There are a few filler tracks which I can take or leave, and am more than happy to skip over. However, there are some great songs, some of Gn'R's best. The poignant lyrics documenting bands descent into full-blown junkiedom are something I've never really appreciated before, and the regret expressed is certainly heartfelt. In the past, I didn't really notice the introspective nature of some of the lyrics, which are apparent when considering the subject matter.

The album is certainly worthy of its place as one of the best albums ever. If you've not heard it, or not listened for a while, it's definitely worth revisiting.

Summary: The classic rock album of the late 80s