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L.A. Guns - Tales From The Strip

 

	YEAR: 2005 PRODUCER:Andy Johns LABEL:Shrapnel BAND: Phil Lewis Steve Riley Adam Hamilton Stacey Blades
+ Songs, Phi Lewis Guitar, Mood,No Tracii Guns      _ Some Filler No Tracii Guns, Low Budget	TRACKS: 1.It Don't Mean Nothing 2. Electric Neon Sunset 3.Gyspy Soul 4. Original Sin 5. Vampire 6.Hollywood's Burning 7. 6.9 8. Rox Baby Girl 9. Crazy Motorcycle 10. Skin 11. Shame 12. Resurrection 13. Amaneger 14.Anything Better Than Love

 

OVERVIEW

Everyone was pleasantly surprised by 2002's Waking the Dead, which showed a high return to form from the boys at L.A Guns. Phil Lewis was preaching it as their best album yet, and now with Tales out, he's saying the same about this one. I happen to agree on both. With news that founding member Tracii Guns had left, things looked grim for the Guns. But it couldn't be further from the truth. With Stacey Blades signing in as replacement guitarist, the band seems to have found a new lease on life. Perhaps L.A Guns mark II. And things are looking better than ever.

 

SONGS

The album kicks off with all guns blazing on It Don't Mean Nothing. Somewhat reminding me of Velvet Revolver, as does other parts of the album. Like most of the songs on this album, it comes together with a great melodic chorus. Next up is the superb ballad Electric Neon Sunset. By now your already thinking 'Tracii who?'. After a couple of riff rockers it kicks into the albums best track Vampire. I don't know what happened to Phil Lewis, but he's writing and singing better than he ever has before. With its ballad like lead breaks and sing-a-long chorus, its arguable the best they've ever done. Hollywoods Burning kicks it back into high gear with another sensational rocker. Daringly 6.9 is a drum based instrumental, which looses its momentum half way through. They burn through a stack of sleazy rockers like the moody Skin and the crazy Crazy Motorcycle before coming back to another brilliant mid-tempo rocker with Resurrection. The album closes out with another typically Guns style instrumental and a 'could've been great' ballad (I Cant Give You) Anything Better Than Love.

 

CONCLUSION

I was blown away when I first heard this album. I think L.A. Guns have completely reinvented themselves with a great new melodic rock sound and newfound knack for writing great songs. Old fans and new a like should love this album. Unfortunately the lack of dollars has bought the production down and Andy John ended up producing for free! If this had have been on a decent label with a decent budget, I'm sure it would've made big waves. The lack of Tracii Guns seems to be a major blessing, and I hope that Phil Lewis finds that record deal I know he's shopping for. Although the previous album was all round stronger, the individual songs here are untouchable. If you added a few songs with those from the last record like Revolution you'd have a 5 star album. L.A Guns; real Saviours Of Rock.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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