G N' R Lies

Lies is the forgotten second album by Guns `n' Roses- the first half being a re-release of previous EP Live, and the second half being mostly new acoustic songs. This was mostly a hurried cash in after the huge success of Appetite, striking while the appetite for more was at a peak. A mix of live originals and covers which show the band at their storming, energetic best and softer, more thoughtful songs which show they are capable of more than just tearing up the stage, Lies has many great moments and should be picked up by all rock fans. Try to get your hands on the extended version which also features Shadow Of Your Love and Cornshucker.

`Reckless Life' flies into top gear with Duff's charming intro speak, galloping guitars, and hectic drums. Axl screeches his way through every word, a big 80s solo weaves the song together, and the huge chorus was at the time a sign of things to come from the band.

`Nice Boys' is a live cover of the Rose Tattoo song with lyrics and tone perfectly suited to Guns. The band race through it at a hundred miles per hour, Axl enjoying being able to add his own angry snarl to the vocals, and Slash eager to impress by filling the space between chorus and verse.

`Move To The City' shows the band's more bluesy side while also foreshadowing the orchestral moves the band would tackle in the future. Lyrically this covers much of the same ground as the topics on AFD, with young, naïve outsiders getting away to the big city from their small towns in hope of something better, but being bitten by the beast. As usual the guitars are top notch and everything sounds super cool.

`Mama Kin' is a live Aerosmith cover, another song whose themes suited the band perfectly. The swagger is sexually charged and confident, misogynistic, and care free. GnR have always been able to give their own distinct flavour to whatever song they cover and this is no different with heavy guitars, and boyish yelling making the song even more grimy and sleazy than the original.

`Patience' is one of the best songs the band ever recorded and it's just a pity that it appears on an album which isn't very well known. Having said that it probably wouldn't have fit too well on Appetite-this leaves it as a hidden gem and remains their most tender song. The gorgeous acoustics, rambling lyrics, perfect melodies, and high charged ending are all excellence, although the more filthy amongst you (me) may interpret the lyrics differently. If you only know Appetite, this should be the next song on your list.

`Used To Love Her' is a typical Guns song with funny, juvenile lyrics which seem to be about a woman but are apparently about a dog. Whether or not that's true, this is still a fun song with supremely catchy moments, immense vocals, and some pretty good speed playing.

`You're Crazy' is the slower version of the song which appears on Appetite, and they say this was the way it was originally planned. I was never a huge fan of either version, both have their charms and I think the faster one is better. Great guitars and vocals as always, and if that's all you care about you will certainly enjoy.

`One In A Million' is among the most controversial songs the band wrote, with Axl seemingly on full attack against woman, homosexuals, and different races, although I've always felt it was very tongue in cheek. He is telling a story, it isn't necessarily how he feels. Aside from the lyrical content it isn't too great a song, although I like the electric played over the acoustic. Axl performs strongly here, you can taste the conviction even if it is bitter/hateful/ignorant/false.

Lies is an essential for all real fans of the band, but for those with only a passing interest it is only Patience that they should hear. Everything else will either sound like lightweight versions of songs they already know, or silly little attempts at offense. There are some gems here and it definitely adds to the good side of the band's collection. For a good while this was the definitive live collection from the band until the long awaited release of the Live Era double CD wiped away everything else.

Lightweight and accessible, GNR Lies is more a double EP than a studio album proper. Indeed, the first half of the disc - the electric half - was originally released as a live EP pre-Appetite For Destruction, and on its four tracks you can almost feel the band on the verge of something spectacular. The standout tracks here are the funky Move To The City and the raucous cover of Aerosmith's Mama Kin, which arguably surpasses the original.

But it is on the acoustic second half where the real interest lies. In start contrast to the rocking first half, these next four tracks show a side of GNR not witnessed before or since. This is most notable on the intimate ballad Patience, a rare display of sensitivity from the band. I Used To Love Her and You're Crazy are pleasing lightweight numbers, before finally we get One In A Million - perhaps the most objectionable lyrics ever written, set to a cheerful melody and lightly-strummed guitar chords. Quite superb!

Lies was only ever meant as a stop-gap while the much more important Use Your Illusion project was in the making. As it turned out, GNR were about to lose the plot, and Lies stands as a relic from a time when they knew how to keep things simple.

Great album. First four tracks are from 1986 and the highlights are "Nice Boys", which features a wicked bassline and the Aerosmith cover "Mama Kin". Second four tracks are (almost) acoustic, with "Patience" being the highlight and the controversial "One In A Million". Anyone who`s heard their first album "Appetite For Destruction" will enjoy a slower version of "You`re Crazy". Buy it.