American Sleaze/Glam Hard Rock outfit L.A. Guns has been one creative unit since vocalist Phil Lewis and guitarist Tracii Guns decided to bury the hatchet and kick off L.A. Guns again back in 2016. Three albums have been released since then and Guns has also released an album with a project called Sunbomb with Michael Sweet and a second is on its way and an album with former Great White singer Jack Russell is on its way. As far as that goes all is well. For me personally though, the reunited band hasn’t really delivered the goods musically. The first record The Missing Peace (2017) was a decent record but the two follow-ups The Devil You Know (2019) and Checkered Past (2021) were close to disasters in my book. I was never a huge L.A. Guns fan to begin with so I guess there are fans out there that might beg to differ. That said, I keep my fingers crossed that album # 4 will have me begging for mercy.
The leading single “You Betray” that opens the album is one slammin’ rocker that holds a 70’s dirty and sleazy vibe. It’s a heavy piece that flirts highly with Led Zeppelin and the main riff is clearly borrowed from “Immigrant Song”. It’s still not a clone by any means. It’s a crunchy, rowdy and rough belter with some distinct melodies and an in-your-face chorus with a sharp hook. Good one. “Wrong About You” is quite down-to-earth and organic with a stripped down structure. It’s a groovy tune with a punchy riff and a funky outlook which makes the tune swing. That said, the tune never really takes off – the melodies falls flat and the refrain lack hooks.
Second single “Diamonds” starts out slow and melancholic with a darker and introvert arrangement with acoustic guitars at front. It gets bigger and heavier with an 80’s power ballad bombast and while it takes on some crunchier and more rock-laden guitars it still preserves its mellow mood and some vocal harmonies even makes me think of Alice In Chains which is a cool contrast. The tune holds a strong main melody and a massive chorus that stick by first listen. A great tune. With a raw energy and a punky attitude “Babylon” comes crashing down hard-hitting with an American Sleaze vibe blended with late 60’s garage-rock. It’s gritty, riffy and edgy but it’s also forgettable and has fallen into oblivion before it even has ended. A skipper in my book.
“Shame” on the other hand takes a stroll down Classic Rock lane, 70’s style. The song holds a bluesy swagger on a rhythmic groove and a raucous crunch, very live-friendly, upbeat and energetic. It’s a tune that throws promises it really can’t keep as the verses are really strong and inviting but the chorus fails to deliver and falls flat. With mid-paced, raw and edgy verses somewhat reminiscent of Alice Cooper 70’s, third single “Shattered Glass” is a quite striking number with some contrasts as the chorus takes a more attitude-laden and sleazy structure, very in-your-face with effective melodies all over. One of the best songs on the album.
“Gonna Lose” is another slow-burner on a ballad note. The tune is based on acoustic guitars which brings on an almost folky, Led Zep vibe. Even though the tune gets bigger and slightly heavier when the chorus arrives it never goes power ballad on us. There’s also a harmonica on it which increases the 70’s Classic Rock balladry vibes. It’s a damn good tune with a striking hook in the chorus. “Got It Wrong” is a sleazy, dirty number that harkens back to the 80’s and the dirty, shady backstreets of L.A. where this band started. It’s a straight ahead hard rock number, quite standard and even though it’s not bad it doesn’t really go anywhere.
On a punk-ish note and a F.U. attitude “Lowlife” is a fast-paced, screamy rocker with raw guitars and a slammin’ rhythm full of adrenaline. It’s energetic and rough but doesn’t leave much to be remembered by. It kicks a bit of ass and then leaves. If I hadn’t taken notes I would never have remembered this. On the other side of the coin “Crying” is an upbeat groover on a big 70’s Classic Rock stomp and some smoother, pop-laden melodies. There’s a psychedelic 60’s vibe here too with a sitar involved which gives a bit of a Beatles touch. The melody hooks really lifts the song and the chorus is spot on. Very good. Closing track “Like A Drug” holds a darker edge and some edgy and groveling guitar work with more of that dirty, slimey backstreets of the Sunset Strip vibes. It’s distinct and punchy but again it comes off as a bit forgettable – no sharp hooks or direct catchiness. Not bad but not that convincing either.
As a whole this record is way better than the two previous records and the best work the reunited Guns/Lewis has put out yet. Still the album comes with flaws. I can’t find anything I loathe on the album but the fillers are a few too many and the muddy production doesn’t really help either – it sounds way to garage for me. That said, there’s a spark in Lewis’ vocals that I haven’t heard in many a moon and Guns is a terrific guitarist. He always was and will probably always be – very underrated. It’s also a thing when the best songs on a sleazy Rock album are the ballads and the most pop-influenced song. Still, no matter my opinion I love that old bands keep going and releasing new music and not just sit back and play the hits every other year so thumbs up for still having that passion.
5/10
More L.A. Guns reviews:
The Missing Peace
The Devil You Know
Checkered Past
Tracklist:
1. You Betray
2. Wrong About You
3. Diamonds
4. Babylon
5. Shame
6. Shattered Glass
7. Gonna Lose
8. Got It Wrong
9. Lowlife
10. Crying
11. Like A Drug
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