Pandemonium's Full Review: Appetite for Destruction [PA] by Guns N' Roses
These guys were yet another band that made a bang coming out in the late 80's in that rock/metal filled decade. With their first album Appetite For Destruction in 1987 they hit the music scene hard. Not only does this band have some unique music, they have some rather colorful band members that really stood out. Their first album mainly shows the bands "destructive" side in their metal music while others tend to show a yet softer side of the band. There is no short of true hits and "classic" songs on this album and that is what got the band off to their fast success. Guns N' Roses are yet another band to come out in the 80's and makes me stand by my belief that the 80's were the best era for true music lovers that like the rock and metal genre of music! These guys followed, and stood "toe to toe", with some already very popular bands that had made a stand in the 80's like Metallica, AC/DC, Scorpions, and even the rock band Def Leppard. Even some bands that already pushed the metal scene earlier than that such as Led Zepplin and Black Sabbath. However, these guys were definitely not followers nor did they just continue what others started. They have their own unique sound, lyrics, metal to their music, and very unique band members that puts them as a stand a lone band. With the good said, these guys are not for everyone. They are a band that you either really like, or really hate. There is just no in-between here at all. I am on the side that likes them but, I know a fair share of people who like metal that don't care for their music at all.
Guns N' Roses are a LA based metal band that were formed in 1985. If you had purchased the album before hearing any of their songs you could tell very quickly that they were a "smash-mouth in your face" style of band without question. The cover on the album and their picture within the cover sheet clearly shows the style of band that they are. On the outside they look like the typical long-haired, tattooed covered, grungy musicians that were everywhere at that time. However, the band had quite the colorful characters that really stood out despite the music on their own. Also, getting a well known producer in the metal industry, Mike Clink, did not hurt their chances for success that's for sure.
There are two things that really stand out in this bands music. The first thing is Axl Rose's voice and the second is the guitar play of Slash. Not to say that the other members are a weak link at all, Rose and Slash just really stand out in their music. I have always said that metal band really needs a lead singer with a voice that is uniquely different from other metal bands and that is more true with Rose's voice being more unique than any other metal singer that I can think off. He has the most unique high pitch scratchy sound of any singer I can think off. The only two metal singers I can think off that are even close to his would be Sebastian Bach (Skid Row) and Vince Neil (Motley Crue). Not saying that Rose's voice is better by any means, just very unique as those two. He has the ability to hit the very high scratchy notes and he can hold these notes longer than most I have heard as well. But, can't seem to hit the lower notes as well as most smash-mouth metal singers can. His lower tone can be fine as long as the music fits in well which is evident in some songs here. Also, his lyrics can be very hard to understand at times due to his extreme scratchiness. I do like his scratchy voice myself but, if you don't know the lyrics already to the songs you may find it hard to understand them all in some songs. Still when all is said and done, his voice and tones fir very well into their music and is one of the main reasons why they were such a stand out when they came out with this debut album. Again, the odds are you will either like and have no problems with his voice or you will just hate it and have to rely on the music itself to make a decision whether or not you like this band or not. Back to Slash, there is not much detail I can go into except he is just a very good guitar player (and you got to love the hat). His guitar riffs and solos shine throughout this album as their are plenty of them.
Stand Outs: There are quite a few songs on the album the album that are stands out to me but, the one that stands a lone is Sweet Child Of Mine. The song is a mid-tempo rock ballad that presents Slash at his best. It is dedicated to Rose's girlfriend at that time. Slash starts the song playing a very catchy guitar riff alone. The drum and beat slowly work there way as the riff plays on. The beat is also catchy and has your knee going up and down and your body swaying to the beat. The song also supports the best guitar solo from Slash on the album and one of the best from any song this band has ever produced. Axl's voice comes in very clear in the song and he gets to really show it off at the end. The song is just a classic piece from the band and one that really put them on the map in the metal world. The first song on the album is their most popular song and defiantly does stand out which is Welcome To The Jungle. The only problem with this song was the fact it was played to death back then and you can still hear it often on certain radio stations and sporting events. I remember back in high school we had a student store that was named "The Jungle" and this was played in there a lot. It is a very hard "smash-mouth" song that starts strong and ends strong. The guitar is fast, the lyrics are strong (which Axl does well), and the beat is catchy. The problem I have with this song is the middle of it If they put the hard guitar, fast beat, and strong lyrics from the beginning and then took out the middle, blended in the end it would have been a perfect metal song for that era. The beginning keeps you into the song until the end because of how it gets your interest. The chorus is the key and how Axl shows off a very quick tongue. To this day I find myself trying to match certain lines in the lyrics because I too have a fast tongue. The song is popular for a reason, as it is one that will stand out in your mind but, you may not go back and play it over and over again after you hear it once. Probably the most popular song from the band to date but, one that that has to be experienced more than heard.
The next song for me is Mr. Brownstone. Not beating around the bush here, some will hate this song as soon as they understand what the lyrics are saying. Yes, they are about Heroin and if you do them you don't give a crap about anything. Still, I don't care about the lyrics and just listen to the music. The song is a rocker that has a very catchy beat with some nice drum bursts within it. The song supports some nice guitar riffs and a pretty good solo from Slash. Here Axl is also clear and understandable and he sings this one in a lower tone for the most part. I personally don't think it is one that showcases the good side of Axl's voice. To me, it shows he should go back to the higher pitch tones. I like this song based on music itself as it is a little different from most of their other work. It is catchy enough to keep you in it throughout the song. Paradise City is another song that ended up being very popular for the band. It is one of those songs that you will get more enjoyment if it is performed live and you are there than just sitting down and listening to it. The song stats off slower with a softer guitar riff joined by a simple hard drum beat. Axl joins with a chorus then Slash enters with a little faster riff. The song does not stay slow as it picks up momentum as soon as Axl comes back in. The parts that makes this song stand out is the very catchy guitar riffs played throughout, the way Axl sings it, some nice guitar solo's, and some nice quick drums. He goes back singing with his higher tone and speeds up the lyrics quite a bit in a good way. The only downfall to this song is, it doesn't seem to want to end. Being almost 7:00 long with the ending being just sporadic guitar riffs that really don't make any sense and Axl singing the chorus over and over again. Still, it is a solid song that deserved to be as popular as it was. The long version should have only been for live performances and the album version should have been around 4:30 to 5:00 minutes long.
Nightrain has always been one, atleast for me, that stood out. One of the few songs that Axl sings in a lower tone that I like but, the beat is very catchy. The lyrics are your basic Guns N' Roses style as the song is just about drinking way to much and not caring about the way you will feel in the morning. The guitar riffs and quick solo bursts are done well as Slash as kind of in the background in this one. He does get in his one solo at the end that is solid and goes till the songs end. There isn't really one certain thing that stands out here but, it's just a lower catchy metal tone that is done well. One that squeaks in this list is Rocket Queen. This is just a fun song that is even more fun to play around a woman (hoping she doesn't mind). The song has three parts basically. Starting off as a faster tempo rock song, the middle is all about Slash and the guitar riffs (with ladies moaning), the ending is slowed down and kind of just filters out. It supports some really good drums, strong guitar riffs, and just fun lyrics. Last song that makes my list is It's So Easy. You do have to get passed the languange in this song if the "F" word bothers you but, the music is what makes it stand out. The strong metal guitar riffs, beat, Axl's "in your face" tone, and solid guitar solos from Slash are put together together extrememly well. I could do without some of the chorus lyrics but, the song itself stands out as a solid metal tune.
Not Quite Making The Grade: My Michelle is one that others would probably disagree with me on. I just don't see anythng here to make it stand out. It is your typical woman basher that most every metal album has to have at least one of. It starts off great but, slowly works into being very repetitive with everything from the guitar riffs, beat, and lyrics. Axl is also very hard to understand in this song which really hurts it for me. Some will like this song more than others but, I just don't put it as one that really stood out to me. Songs like Out Ta Get Me, Think About You, Your Crazy, and Anything Goes just are not songs that support the classic songs on this album very well. Out Ta Get Me does have a fast metal beat and Slash stands out well which does fit the album. But, the lyrics and background vocals are pretty horrible. There is just nothing really too the other songs. They seem more just thrown together that just take up space making their debut album twelve songs instead of nine. This album would be better without them and I have seen many nine song albums that have plenty of of good music making them worthwhile. It's the quality not quantity when it comes to music.
Conclusion: If your someone that likes the genres metal or rock then I would recommend that you give these guys a listen. Even though they are one of my favorite metal bands still today I will say that they may not be for everyone. Axl Rose's scratchy voice may not be for every-one's ear and some of their lyrics can be somewhat abrasive to some. Still, when it comes to their actual music and rhythm's this album has to offer, they are some of the best that were put out in the 80's. I would even go as far to say that a few songs on this album still to this day, rank up there as some of the best songs of the genre I have heard to date. I also have no complaints on the production of the album as the songs sound clear with no hiccups or unwanted background noise. You can also leave the volume the same throughout the album because there are no songs that are recorded quieter or louder than another. No matter what you may have heard about certain Guns N' Roses band members on a more personal note outside of their music, don't let that make a decision for you on listening to this album. I would give this a 4 1/2 star rating if I could just based on the three songs that have no reason to be here. These guys did put out a very strong metal debut album in Appetite For Destruction there is no questioning that.
*Warning* The album has explicit language in some songs.
Thank you for reading.
Band: Guns N' Roses Album: Appetite For Destruction Released: 1987 Genres I Place Them In: Metal, Classic Rock
The Band Lead Vocals: Axl Rose Rhythm Guitar/Lead Guitar: Slash Lead Guitar/Rhythm Guitar: Izzy Stradlin Bass: Duff "Rose" McKagan Drums: Steven Adler
Tracks & My Rating: 1: Welcome To The Jungle ***** 2: It's So Easy ***** 3: Nightrain ***** 4: Out Ta Get Me **** 5: Mr. Brownstone ***** 6: Paradise City ***** 7: My Michelle *** 1/2 8: Think About You **** 9: Sweet Child Of Mine ***** 10: You're Crazy *** 11: Anything Goes *** 12: Rocket Queen *****
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