Album Review: L.A. Guns – Another Christmas in Hell (Frontiers Music srl)

LA Guns

By: Jesse Striewski

Who would’ve ever thought that a sleazy sunset strip band like L.A. Guns had a Christmas EP in ’em?! But here they are with one, and the ironic thing about it is…it actually kind of works.

Oddly enough, the EP starts off with a recorded voicemail message from William Shatner, which then segues into their version of Billy Squier’s “Christmas is the Time to Say I Love You.” Covers of Slade’s “Merry Xmas Everybody” and The Damned’s “There Ain’t No Sanity Claus” are about as spot on as they get, but their take on the Ramones classic “Merry Christmas (I Don’t Wanna Fight Tonight)” is a tad on the weaker side. There’s even a 9-second rendition of “Dreidel” thrown in for good measure.

So before you throw down on the egg nog this season, throw this one on to get yourself in the holiday spirit. It should just do the trick.

Rating: 3/5 Stars

-J.S.

Album Review: L.A. Guns – The Devil You Know (Frontiers Music s.r.l)

LA Guns

By: Jesse Striewski

Just two short years after 2017’s The Missing Peace album, L.A. Guns are already back with new music. And unlike some bands from their era, they’re still releasing material worthy of putting alongside any of their “classic” efforts (no doubt attributed to the recent burying of the hatchet between guitarist Tracii Guns and singer Phil Lewis).

The production value isn’t the greatest, but there’s plenty of hard-hitting, energetic numbers found here with tiles like “Stay Away” and “Needle to the Bone,” and both the title track and “Rage” have some fun videos to go along with them.

When I first got in to L.A. Guns, it was around the Vicious Circle era; a lot of the songs here actually remind me of some of the heavier tracks from that album that I really loved (such as “Face Down” or “No Crime”). The Devil You Know may not be quite on the same level as some earlier releases, but it’s chock full of what the band does best, and if you’re already familiar with that at all, check this one out.

Rating: 3/5 Stars

Album Review: L.A. Guns – Made in Milan (Frontiers Music s.r.l.)

LA Guns

By: Jesse Striewski

After returning with a semi-reunion and releasing a “comeback” effort in the form of The Missing Peace in 2017, LA Guns are back with a live outing. Although recorded in Milan, Italy, this collection oozes with all the sleaziness of the sunset strip.

After kicking things off with a couple from their first album (“No Mercy” and “Electric Gypsy”), the band rip through a 14-song set with ease. Other classics like “The Ballad of Jayne” and “Rip and Tear” are placed alongside newer tracks like “Speed,” as well as more obscure numbers like “Killing Machine.” Traci Guns’ guitar solos add to the highlights. Should be a definite hit for Guns fans.

Rating: 3.5/5 Stars