| Product: |
G'n'R - Lies - Guns n' Roses |
| Date: |
25.06.04 (840 review reads) |
| Rating: |
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Advantages: Music, Lyrics, Original Line Up
Disadvantages: Doesnt' last long enough!
In December 1986 Guns N' Roses released the EP 'Live ?!*@ Like A Suicide' on their own label UZI Suicide. Only 25000 copies of the EP were made and it contained just four songs, two of which were covers.
When the band became successful following the release of the multi platinum 'Appetite For Destruction' the EP became a collectors item and was selling for anything from $50 - $100.
The band wanted something to put out between the first album and the second (which would eventually turn out to be two albums released simultaneously - Use Your Illusion 1 and 2), so GN'R Lies (subtitled, The Sex, The Drugs, The Violence, The Shocking Truth) was released.
The 'G' side contains the same four tracks as the EP, meaning that fans could hear the songs without having to pay out serious money (although the original EP will always remain a collectors item) while the 'R' side contained four acoustic tracks.
THE BAND
W. Axl Rose - Vocals
Slash - Lead guitar
Izzy Stradlin' - Rhythm guitar
Duff McKagan - Bass Guitar
Steven Adler - Drums
THE SONGS
'G'
RECKLESS LIFE
The first track explodes out of the stereo and sets the adrenaline pumping as Axl's voice and Slash's Les Paul scream together in harmony.
The fist verse of the song tells the listener all about the madness that is Axl Rose as he screams:
"I'm reckless and feelin' no pain
You know I've got no need to control
Livin
' with the danger
I'm always on the edge now
With million dollar visions that I hold."
NICE BOYS
The next track is a cover version, the original being performed by 'Rose Tattoo'.
The song is fast paced with the chorus leaving the listener in NO doubt - 'nice boys don't play rock and roll'.
"Young and fresh when she hit town
Hot for kicks just to get a
round
But now she lays in a filthy room
She kills the pain with
A flick and a spoon."
MOVE TO THE CITY
This track is slightly slower than the previous two, with more of a melodic rock feel to it. It tells the story of a young person moving to the city (unsurprisingly!) to escape the fights with their parents and ending up on the streets and on drugs.
"You're on the streets and it ain't so pretty
At least you get to do what you please
You do what you gotta do for the money
At times you end up on your knees."
MAMA KIN
The final 'G' side track is also a cover this time the original artist is 'Aerosmith'.
A good addition to the album, GN'R sound good singing this track - and it's even better when Axl and Steven Tyler pair up live on stage and sing it together!
"It ain?t easy livin? like a gypsy
Tell ya honey how it feels
I?ve been dreamin? floatin? down stream
and losin? touch with all that?s real."
'R'
PATIENCE
The 'R' side of the album kicks off with one of the best ballads ever written by anyone anywhere!
When GN'
2; played Donnington in 1988 the band played 'Patience' in an attempt to calm the surging crowd. Unfortunately it was unsuccessful, and two fans were crushed to death.
The track begins with Axl proving that he can whistle just as well as he can sing, and then - in stark contrast to the screaming voice used in the previous four tracks - softly tugs at the listener's heart-strings with the beautiful lyrics.
"I been walkin' these streets at night
Just tryin' to get it right
Hard to see with so many around
Ya know I don't like being stuck in a crowd
And the streets don't change but baby the names
I ain't got time for the game 'cause I need you."
USED TO LOVE HER
Many r
umours floated around about this song - it was Axl's way of confessing to murder, it was about a guy shooting and killing his dog - you name it, it was speculated about - but according to the album sleeve this song is, "a joke, nothing more."
"I used to love her
But I had to kill her
I used to love her
But I had to kill her
I had to put her six feet under
And I can still hear her complain"
YOU'RE CRAZY
Although this track is on 'Appetite For Destruction' this version is slightly different, and is in fact the band's original version of the song.
Axl is unhappy with the track stating: "I think 'Crazy' sucks. The band's great but I think I sound like shit."
This acoustic version of the song sounds much mellower than the 'Appetite' version and fits well on this album - GN'R were right to not include this version on '
Appetite', where it would not have fitted at all.
"I've been lookin' for a trace
Lookin' for a heart,
Lookin' for a lover in a world
That's much too dark
Because you don't want my love, no, no
You wanna sati-satisfaction."
ONE IN A MILLION
This final track is quite possibly the most controversial song in the whole of GN'R's history - and with this band, that's really saying something!!
There are arguably derogatory references to 'police and niggers' as well as to 'immigrants and faggots'.
Axl once claimed that he would be asked about this song for the rest of his life and it's probably true. Despite him trying many times to explain his motives for the controversial lyrics, in many people's minds he has forever been branded a racist and a homophobe.
"Radicals and Racists
Don't point your finger at me
I'm a small town white boy
Just tryin' to make ends meet
<
br>Don't need your religion
Don't watch that much T.V.
Just makin' my livin', baby
Well that's enough for me."
GN'R Lies (like all GN'R albums) comes complete with a 'Parental Advisory, Explicit Lyrics' warning sticker, so this is not an album for young listeners.
The entire EP lasts for just over 30 minutes, not long enough if you are a huge GN'R fan like me - but more than enough time for the uninitiated to decide whether to love or hate the band - both camps are pretty big!!!
GN'R Lies is not a collection of the band's best work, but it is a nice collection of songs that show the di
versity of the original line up of band members.
The cheapest place I have found to buy this online is Play.com, who are selling it for £7.99 which is almost £1 a song!
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