Throughout their career
L.A. Guns has never been afraid to include cover versions on their records. As the title refers, "Rips the Covers off" is a full album of cover versions.
Founding member Tracii Guns has left the band, but otherwise it's the same line-up as featured on "Waking the Dead". The bouncing album opener
Rock 'n' Roll Outlaw highlights new axe slinger Stacey Blades, who plays a mean slide on this track.
The brilliant
Until I Get You is the best track on the album.
Hanoi Rocks did the original version and please pay attention to the lyrics' great story line. There is a cool piano on it and Stacey Blades' two great guitar solos capture the emotion of the original. Phil Lewis puts heart and soul into this one.
The British heritage of frontman Phil Lewis is heard on Saxon's
Wheels of Steel. Phil sings better than Biff Byford though and all in all Phil's vocals are great throughout the album. Phil Lewis hits some pretty high notes on Aerosmith's
Nobody's Fault and his expressive vocals sounds brilliant on the mellow
Moonage Daydream as well.
I never heard
Angel City perform
Marseilles, but it is a smashing track. The guitar riff is excellent and the song ends with Adam Hamilton playing a neat bass riff.
These songs are supposed to be the soundtrack to the members in
L.A. Guns' lives. Therefore it was very surprising that L.A Guns chose
Hurdy Gurdy Man by 60's icon Donovan. A very brave cover version, since it doesn't fit the rest of the album, which is mostly straight 70's Rock.
The only cover version I haven't embraced is Queen's
Tie Your Mother Down, which has been covered too many times and
L.A. Guns' straightforward style doesn't blend well with Queen. The album closes with the punky
Search and Destroy, which is among album highlights.
The 2 featured live tracks from "Waking the Dead" both have a raw bootleg sound to it.
Overall these songs sound like
L.A. Guns' own material. The band has succeeded in remaking the songs with usual
L.A. Guns elements and energy, which makes this diverse collection sound consistent and just like
L.A. Guns had written the songs.
I didn't grow up with the original versions and therefore don't have the same relation to them as the older audience. However, it sure does sound like vintage and typical L.A Guns when you play "Rips the Covers off". Stacey Blades keeps the characteristic
L.A. Guns tone founded by Mick Cripps and Tracii Guns. Phil Lewis sounds really good on all tracks. Steve Riley holds everything together with his steady drumming and he surely is valuable to the
L.A. Guns' sound.
Written by
Michael Thursday, June 3, 2004
Show all reviews by MichaelRatingsMichael: 7.5/10Members: No members have rated this album yet.
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