Hunger satisfied (Appetite For Destruction - Guns n' Roses)

Member Name: TheAdder

Product:	Appetite For Destruction - Guns n' Roses
Date:	25/09/09 (132 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Great songs, great vibe, great rock n roll.

Disadvantages: None at all

The rock n roll universe is indeed a strange place. In its vast enormity it harnesses some quite unique stars. Unpredictable and dysfunctional it is an environment in which anything goes and this is what makes it so captivating. The combinations it throws together can be so intriguing.

In 1985 there were ominous rumblings in its great celestial body as a certain band was born a lovechild of L.A Guns and Hollywood Rose. This merger was to prove explosive and by 1987 the planets had truly aligned causing a meteorite in the form of 'Appetite For Destruction' to crash down in a part of Los Angeles. Its aftershock was to spread worldwide where it claimed the lives of 28 million album buyers. The toll is still rising.

Guns N' Roses and their debut album 'Appetite For Destruction' was a breath of fresh air and exactly what rock needed at the time as glam was becoming far to contrived and ridiculous.
Their sound was perfectly balanced rock n roll that nailed you against the wall and screamed in your face. They were underdogs with attitude writing about things that had and were occurring around their rambunctious lifestyles.
The album even had its original sleeve design banned for its offensive nature - a raping robot. This was replaced by a tattoo like crucifix design which portrayed the band members as skulls, 4 on the points and one in the middle. They were a true rock n roll story, they had the image, the cocksureness but they could back it up with their songs.

Relying on the usual rock staple of power chords and instantly recognisable riffs the album has a certain cat-crawling osseous street nature about it. It emanates a sleazy swagger and a confident strut that would be at home both in the gutters of LA suburbs to the prestige of stadiums across the globe. They also touch on a slightly punky feel during 'It's So Easy', Duff McKagan's plectrum plucked bass giving it the required edge.

As it often is with rock bands it's the vocalist who gives you the extra yard. Axl Rose, love him or hate him now, is a diamond on this album - albeit a very rough one. His cut-throat voice and expansive range separates Guns N' Roses from the pack, defining their sound and giving it an identity though it may not endear itself to everyone. Helium high on top notch, crackling through long sustained vibrato and the idiosyncratic over pronounced phrasings (or phra-e-ay-e-zings as he'd sing it). It is certainly unique and that is half the battle won when you're striving for a sound to call your own.

They wrote the songs quickly and to me that is what makes them so fresh and appealing. They are honest songs, many of which came about by accident but aren't they always the best ones?
The opening riff to 'Sweet Child o' Mine' was merely a finger exercise that guitarist Slash used to warm up, Rose ended up putting words to it and the rest is history. The little interlude of 'Where do we go?' in the same song came about because they didn't know where to take the song at that point. When things like that happen and you get the results they did, you know you've hit on a winning formula. 'Nightrain' and 'Paradise City' started out as joke ditties before they were developed into two of the all time great rock songs.

Despite differing personalities there is obvious chemistry within the band and that is reflected in the album. They are all at different levels of musicianship but they gel as much as they rebel. It is instinctive song writing, sadly this went awry after this album but that's another review for another time.

I mentioned earlier that Axl Rose's voice gives them the edge mainly because that is what many people hear first and associate with the band but to me the guitar work of Slash is equally as poignant. His solos on the album are now set in stone. They are naturally constructed with a freedom that is reciprocal of the album's sound. He admits that the solos recorded are pretty much how he played them on first attempt, it's a great gift to have.

'Appetite For Destruction' isn't all just straight down the line rock. It does have one or two neat little breaks binding the songs together most notably the jungle drums and rolling bass feature in the opener 'Welcome To The Jungle'.
There is also a fantastic jive to 'Mr Brownstone' which is very reminiscent of Aerosmith's groove and I've already mentioned the punk influence of 'It's So Easy'. The whole feel, pace and delivery of the album is spot on with in my opinion only one song 'You're Crazy' swimming in 'filler' infested waters.

'Appetite For Destruction' is one of those defining rock albums but it is also a reminder of how unpredictable the music industry is. To produce such a refreshing, iconic album and then gradually self implode is seen as tragic in some quarters but for me it was pure destiny - 'Catalyst For Self Destruction' would be the album's evil twin name.
They did write some decent songs after this, no doubt there, but as Slash said in his autobiography his favourite times were the early days when it was all raw and raucous. That was the appeal, that was the root of 'Appetite'. I guess things change and bands want to develop a little, but drift too far away from what made you great and something gets lost.

This album takes its rightful place among the gods. For all the boolsheet that followed, the back biting, the court cases, the fastidious beast that it all became, you can't take it away and we should give thanks and praise to everyone involved regardless of which camp you now lie in.

Look to the rock n roll skies and there'll be one constellation burning ever so brightly for all time. It depicts that crucifix design that adorns the cover of one of the greatest ever albums in history.

That of 'Appetite For Destruction'.

Thanks for reading.


Axl Rose - vocals
Slash - lead guitar
Izzy Straddlin - rhythm guitar
Duff McKagan - bass
Steven Adler - drums

Summary: Deserves its place in rock legend