L.A. Guns – L.A. Guns

Producer: Jim Faraci

Released: January 4, 1988

Rating: ****

Before L.A. Guns insured their place on Monster Ballads with, ummm, The Ballad Of Jayne they released this hair metal masterpiece, their self titled debut album. For those of you who don’t know (is it possible), Tracii Guns was the Guns to Axl’s Roses. After leaving that band for greener pastures (ooops) he formed L.A. Guns. Their debut album was released in 1988, a year after GNR’s Appetite For Destruction was released. This album is much more metal and punk whereas Appetite leans more toward a classic rock or hard rock sound. I guess what I am trying to say is that even though Tracii was at one point Axl’s bandmate, the two bands are quite different.

By the time 1988 rolled around the glam scene and look was in full swing. Poison would release their second album (an emormous success), Open Up And Say…. Ah! and Warrant would release their debut effort, Dirty Rotten Filthy Stinking Rich (another big hit). When L.A. Guns hit the scene, their look was somewhat shocking (for the time). Decked in black hair and black leather, L.A. Guns looked as un-glam as you possibly could in 1988. It’s safe to say I was hooked the minute I saw and heard them. Sex Action was the first single from the album and was definitely as sleazy as it got in 1988. Everything about this song from the production, to the vocals and guitars and the video dripped sleaze. It’s a good indicator of what the rest of the album is like.

At times this album reminds me a bit of Motley Crue’s debut release, Too Fast For Love. It has that same edgy, raw, punk energy. Adding to excitement is the raspy voice of Phil Lewis. The album kicks off by kicking the listener in the balls with No Mercy followed by Sex Action. The onslaught continues with One More Reason and Electric Gypsy. Nothing To Lose is up next and is probably the only song I don’t care for on the album. That’s okay, because Bitch Is Back is up next and is another delicious slice of sleaze. The album finishes in fine style with songs such as Hollywood Tease (one of my favorites) and Shoot For Thrills.

This is without a doubt my favorite L.A. Guns album. It’s not over produced, yet the production is phenomenal. It’s sleazy because it is, not because it’s trying to be. In my opinion, L.A. Guns never re-captured the magic that they had on this album. This is yet another example of an album that is spectacular because it wasn’t over thought. I don’t know for sure, but it sounds like the band went into the studio on a Friday with a keg of beer and came out Sunday night with an album. Whatever they did, it sure sounds good to me.