Greatest Hits [Digipak] [PA] - Guns N' Roses > Reviews > Still Rocking!!

Author's product rating:   

Originality	Definitely a cut above the rest
Lyrics	Thought-provoking
Quality and consistency of tracks	A couple of weak links
How does it compare to the artist's other releases	Outstanding
Value for Money

Advantages:	A fine collection of all the best records
Disadvantages:	Not everyones cup of tea !

Recommend to potential buyers:

yes

Full review

I bought this album the other week having not listened to any of their stuff since being a child. When I was younger my dad used to listen to Guns N Roses all the time, they were one of his favourite groups. So many of the different Guns N Roses albums were played over and over again in our house when I was younger, so I know most of the records by heart!

A brief history of the band members (it's a little complicated so bare with me!)

The rock band Guns N' Roses was formed by the guitarist Slash (born Saul Hudson) and Izzy Stradlin (born Jeff Isbell), the lead singer Axl Rose (born William Bruce Rose in Lafayette, Indiana), the bassist Duff McKagan and the drummer Steven Adler in the year 1985. In October 1990 the band fired Steven Adler and replaced him by Matt Sorum. In the same year they added Dizzy Reed on keyboards. End of 1991 Izzy Stradlin left the band and was replaced by the guitarist Gilby Clarke. In the middle of the 90's Slash left the band and a lot of new musicans changed until today.

A brief history of their music

Axl Rose and Izzy Stradlin were old school friends and they formed their first band in '83 which was called Rose and then Hollywood Rose. They split up and Stradlin joined a band called London and Axl a band called L.A guns. Slash and Adler were in a band called Road Crew. By 1985 they had joined forces and made the name Guns and Roses from the two bands Axl Rose had previously been in (Rose and L.A. guns)

After playing in many L.A clubs they were finally found by Geffen records and were signed in 1986. Their first album 'Appetite for Destruction' featured a graphic, sinister Robert Williams painting depicting a rape that eventually got the album banned from major retailers. However they changed the cover but it wasn't until MTV started playing their record 'Sweet child o mine' that they became a hit. By 1988 Guns N Roses were a massive band.

Guns and Roses were their own worst enemy, they became alcoholics and abused drugs, they cancelled concerts at the last minute and some concerts were delayed for hours.
The release of 'Lies' in 1988 made it even worse as they were accused of being homophobic and racist.

Despite all this they were still hugely popular and three years later they released the double album 'use your illusion 1 and 2'. Use your illusion albums were completely different albums as they featured ballads and rock epics with pianos and female backing vocals.
There was a massive rift in the band because Slash and Adler wanted to stick to rock where as the others were keen to widen their horizons.

Spaghetti Incident the last album they released it was trying to keep up with the punk and grunge that was coming out of Seattle (namely Nirvana).
A was not the best album that they have ever produced. After this album they didn't really produce much and all the members left leaving Axl Rose with the legal rights to the name of the band.

The Album itself

1. Welcome to the Jungle (from the album appetite for destruction)

This record is a proper rock record with dirty guitar rifts and dark drums. Axl's half singing and screaming voice creates a perfect rock song. It has a great instrumental in the middle which is my favourite part of the song. It's a good song but not the best one on the album, there are far better ones!

2. Sweet Child O' Mine (from the album appetite for destruction)

This is another classic Guns N rose’s song, brilliant guitars, drums and beautiful lyrics. This is one of my favourite songs, the lyrics are really well though out and the music that goes with them matches the feeling really well. Although it is a rock song it has all the makings of a ballad or love song, yet with a great guitar rift by Slash. Again another brilliant instrumental in the middle.

3. Patience (from the album Guns N Roses Lies)

This isn't what I would call classic guns and roses but I absolutely love it! Starts with soft guitar strumming and whistling. Axl sings in a really low voice which suits the lyrics, which are both really touching and again well thought out. The drums are left out and it is mainly voice and guitar which makes this song such a fantastic song.

4. Paradise city (from the album appetite for destruction)

Back to full on rock again with this song, the drums are back with force and Axl goes back to his half screaming half singing voice. Again this is another timeless classic, with fantastic guitar rifts, brilliant percussion and backing vocals from fellow band members. Axl's voice is dark and dirty during the verses but changes for the chorus to a light hearted voice.
Lots going on in this song but fantastic all the same, again one of my favourites.

5. Knocking on heavens door (from the album Use your illusion 2)

Back to the ballad/rock song again. Drums and guitar are used effectively with the half talking half singing voice of Axl Rose. Another fantastic guitar rift in the middle, some good sound effects of guns during one of the verses too. The song comprises fantastic lyrics with all the making of a rock song. A great song.

6. Civil war (from the album Use your illusion 2)

Begins with someone talking and Slash strumming on guitar, the whistler returns to give it an authentic Deep South feel. Axl Rose is back to his whispering singing to start with as the lyrics reflect all the bad things that come with war. Then suddenly within a guitar strumming the record explodes into singing, guitar and drums. As if the war had just started. The song itself varies from quiet signing to full on rock and roll.

7. You could be mine (from the album Use your illusion 2)

A fast paced full on rock song. Drums are the emphasis of this song, starting the song off and proceeding to make the song what it is. As with all the songs fantastic guitar rifts, the song starts with a reasonably long instrumental before the lyrics come screaming in. It's a great song one of the harder songs from the album.

8. Don't Cry (from the album Use your illusion 1)

I think this is one of the most beautiful pieces of music ever written. Not only the music but the lyrics compliment each other so well. It's a fantastic ballad which comprises great guitar rifts, soft drums and percussion with the backing of female vocals.
It's a song which brings me close to tears every time, Axl voice is fantastic in this song.
The Lyrics are brilliant and there is a great part filled with Slash strumming the guitar to his hearts content.
My favourite song on the whole album.

9. November rain (from the album Use your illusion 1)

Another fantastic ballad/rock song. It's has a classic feel as it is filled with percussion from an Orchestra. Beautiful violins guitar, soft drums and a fantastic voice make this a perfect love song. It is also extremely long (at 9 minutes).
The lyrics are both beautiful and true to life.
This is my second favourite song on the album as it comprises the best guitar rift and instrumental.

10. Live and let die (from the album Use your illusion 1)

This is the shortest record on the album at just over 3 minutes, with female backing vocals it's another great rock song. It is classic roses, starts off slow but gets faster, it's a good one but not one of my favourites.
More music than vocals on this track.

11. Yesterdays (from the album Use your Illusion 2)

A great record, again it is very short at nearly 3 and half minutes. It's quite a happy record with Axl on to his singing voice with the screaming!
It sounds quite similar to a few of their other records but it still a great song.

12. Ain't it fun (from the album Spaghetti Incident)

This is another rock song, guitar rifts and drums all the way. This isn't such a familiar song and the first time I heard it was when I heard it on this album. It’s good but not as great as the rest of the album; personally I think it was when they started to go down hill. The voice doesn't really suit the lyrics or the song.

13. Since I don't have you (from the album spaghetti incident)

A brilliant song, personally I think it was the best one from the last album Spaghetti Incident. Axl is half singing half talking again, the lyrics are lovely another half ballad half rock song.
It's quite different to the majority of their music, as they started to take on a more grungy sound at this time.

14. Sympathy for the devil

Starts of with percussion and lots of different voices, has a scary laugh in it. I'm not keen on this at all, it doesn't sound like classic roses and the guitar isn't too good in this record. The lyrics are a bit Rubbish and it is disappointing that the album ended on this record.

Conclusion

Priced at 8.49 from Amazon this is one of the steals of the century. It comprises the majority of the best records ever released by this famous rock band. There are a couple of non starters on the album but generally it's a cracker. I would definitely recommend this to potential buyers simply because all the great records are on one album!

Thanks as always for the read