Guns and Roses-Appetite for destruction, 1987

Background-Band members here had been working in different line-ups until things started to come together around 85-86. Then the line-up was complete and they released an ep called Live like a suicide in 1986. Geffen records then signed them and by Summer of 1987 this album was released.

Initial reaction-
I first saw Welcome to the jungle on the Headbanger's Ball that Summer and loved it. Yet it was the first week of school in 1987 when a guy I worked with played the whole album for me. I was hooked and bought it the next day.

1. Welcome To The Jungle-Overall kind of a medium paced song with some unique vocals. However if you listen closely you may be amazed by how many pace changes there are here. It's sometimes frantic, but very enjoyable and different.

2. It's So Easy-This song cuts straight ahead with some odd vocals and a steady yet unrelenting pace. Whether G-n-R were real or not, their lyrics and attitude was far more harsh than other LA bands. Yet that was part of their initial appeal.

3-Nightrain- Starts out with this nice mid tempo sound and some good chunky guitars. It's perhaps a little more basic than some of the other songs yet they play it with a lot of confidence and feeling.

4. Out Ta Get Me-This is a big old in your face kind of song. Nothing fancy, but very memorable and it has some interesting riffs. This song really drives forward too.

5. Mr. Brownstone-I love that intro and then it blends write into the main riff and everyone else comes in. Very offbeat approach with an amazing groove to it. Axl delivers his vocals and a very fast rate and I don't imagine it was easy, but the song wouldn't have been as good if he couldn't hit it.

6. Paradise City-A very different song at this point that starts a big clean sound yet it soon works into a mid tempo and then goes back and forth a bit. A tad less raunchy than their other songs, but no less original.


7. My Michelle-A very simple intro and then a blast into a thick wall of sound and some screaming vocals. It's fairly heavy and dark, but one of my favorites here.

8. Think About You- Very straightforward song with some of my favorite guitar parts on the whole album. This song seems to get overlooked at times maybe due it's simple approach.

9. Sweet Child O' Mine-Along with Paradise City this is one of the more accessible songs perhaps. It has a nice big beat behind it, a good flow and a cool solo. The last minute or so might be the best part of the song as they really bring up the energy level a notch at that point.

10. You're Crazy-For most bands this would be the required simple, fast song yet this track is just as different as the rest of the album. It's good change of pace at this point as well.

11. Anything Goes-As much of a fun song as there is here and just blasts through. You will be singing the chorus and humming the music well after it ends.

12. Rocket Queen-The final track comes on with a big build-up and then a tight little riff. It's larger than life with off beat pace changes and enough interesting parts to make three good songs. My favorite track here and that is saying something.

Verdict/Final Word- Hard rock was getting a bit stale before this album and I think it gave the music world a much needed kick. I also think it helped hard rock continue on longer than it would have had G-n-R not arrived on the scene. This album is very original and one of the best albums of the 1980's for sure. It wasn't the same old slickly packaged, over processed slab that the recorded companies were beginning to churn out. It was fresh and it still holds up well today. So don't let what Axl has done to this band name tarnish what this album did. This album should still be held up a pedestal despite the fact that the band didn't live up to their potential after this. I also feel that this album had a broad appeal to fans. Probably due to how original it was and the different speeds and styles of the tracks.


**My 20 year old album review for May will be Alice Cooper's Raise your fist and yell.