Date: Fri, 9 Apr 1999 15:49:12 -0400 (EDT) From: Fred-MANIA Subject: [GNR] rubber review Hey all. A while back, I picked up Gilby Clarke's album Rubber. Loved Pawnshop Guitars, didn't care too much for the Hangover, so I was really interested to hear this one. Unfortunately, I was disappointed. It sounds a lot more similar to the Hangover to me, ie. as if it was written and recorded quickly, and the songs sound unfinished as a result. Also, I don't care for his voice and lyrics too much, which is a surprise, because these were two towering strengths on Pawnshop Guitars. Now don't get me wrong, this album isn't bad. "Kilroy Was Here" and "Technicolour Stars" are decent songs, and there are a few others that are pretty good as well. Still a distinct glam T.Rex-style feel to the album (as with the Hangover) but it doesn't quite work. There are two amazing covers, "Mercedes Benz" (Janis Joplin?) and "Trash" (New York Dolls) and I'm glad I bought the album because they're fantastic. But that underlines the real problem with the record: Gilby's songwriting doesn't hold up by comparison. I simply see a real need to work harder in pre-production to strengthen up the songs. Like anything else creative, achieving a great result is hard work, and if you aren't willing to put in the proper amount of work, your art will suffer as a result. All in all, a mixed review from me. Maybe he doesn't have enough time or money to stay in the studio long enought, but it shows. I write screenplans and can whip one up in a week or two, but it just won't be as good as it could be. Creativity can be a real pain in the ass. - - Fred. Date: Fri, 9 Apr 1999 16:46:41 -0400 (EDT) From: Fred-MANIA Subject: [GNR] SOLO albums Hey kids. I have decided to write a mini-review and ranking for all the solo GNR albums. Maybe this'll help people who haven't been able to hear much off these records, but remember, this is only my opinion. Others may disagree, but of course, they're wrong! 1 - GILBY CLARKE - Pawnshop Guitars. They say you have a lifetime to write your first album, and a year or so to write the next one. No one suffers from this more than Gilby Clarke, although he did do a lot of writing for Kill for Thrills a few years before. This album is one of my favourites, and almost stands up to GNR!! (note I said almost.) Perhaps it's the presence of Slash, but this album rocks from start to finish. "Cure Me or Kill Me," "Tijuana Jail," "Skin and Bones and "Let's Get Lost" are fantastic songs. I love Gilby's voice on this record, and the lyrics are cool too. Good cover of "Dead Flowers" with Axl, and all in all, in my opinion, the best solo album to date. One part Stones, one part crunchy GNR-style hard rock with Beatle-esque melodies to boot. I think everyone on this list should have this one. 2 - IZZY STRADLIN - 117 Degrees. Questions of Izzy's desire and playing ability aside, this boy can write great songs. This album of lazy, sun and blues-drenched songs impressed me greatly. "Old Hat," "Gotta Say" and "Good Enough" are great songs. Excellent covers of "Memphis" and "Up Jumped the Devil" show a love of the blues that I didn't know Izzy had! Too bad he doesn't seem to care about his career anymore, the "quiet one" is quite talented and I hope to hear more from him in the future. 3 - SLASH'S SNAKEPIT - it's five o'clock somewhere. This album could be number 2 on a good day, but the problem is that the songs sound unfinished to me. I believe Slash said he wanted to whip them off in a couple of weeks, since at the time this was a low-priority recording, he just wanted to get out and play. Well, it shows. However, that doesn't mean it doesn't rock, this is Slash!! ""Monkey Chow," "Good to be Alive," and "doin' Fine" all combine Slash's bluesy playing with his hard rockin' GNR roots to good effect. While Eric Dover doesn't quite work out, he does a workmanlike job, creating a little magic with "Beggars and Hangers On," and I must add that this tour provided one of the best concerts I've ever seen. I guess they had the songs down-pat by then. I must remember to get a copy of one of those shows from Linda. All in all, a decent record, but the best is yet to come. 4 - IZZY STRADLIN & the Ju Ju Hounds. Tough call for number 4, 5 and 6, but I had to go with Izzy. This album has a cool, shuffling, Stonesy feel to it. I didn't love it when it first came out, but it has really grown on me over time. "Pressure Drop" rocks, and "Shuffle it All," "Train Tracks," and "Come on Now Inside" always make me think I should play the album more often, every time I hear them. He can write songs, and his voice always works well with his material. Solid album. 5 - NEUROTIC OUTSIDERS . Very punk-inspired album, it sounded great for a while before hitting the pile of albums I "want" to listen to more but never really do. Solid selections from John Taylor and Duff, and even Steve Jones, but some of the lyrics are embarrassingly sophomoric. Love the rockin "Good News" sung by Duff, and Taylor's "Better Way" is also fabulous. Good cover of "Janie Jones" too. Bands like this are always built for live performances, and I enjoyed them live, but the record ain't half-bad. 6 - GILBY CLARKE - the Hangover. Very T-rex, which sounds good in theory because I'm a fan of that 70's glam band, but it just doesn't quite work. First track "Wasn't Yesterday Great" almost holds up to Pawnshop Guitars, and there's some nice harmonies on "Higher" and "Blue Grass Mosquito." Good covers too, Bowie's "Hang on to Yourself" and the Beatles "Happinesss is a Warm Gun." Gilby does great covers, i just wish he'd take his own song-crafting a little more seriously. All in all, not bad, this album is virtually tied with 4 and 5 in my opinion. Alas, his voice sounds like he's taking one of the first takes on some of the songs... take your time, Gilby!! 7 - GILBY CLARKE - Rubber. Great covers, poor originals. Not bad, just unmemorable. Singing and songwriting again don't sound like enough work has been done, and as a result sound like unfinished takes. Then again, rock and roll should be spontaneous, I guess, but just think how much work had to go into making Appetite For Destruction sound so "spontaneous" and rocking. A lot. I love his cover of "Mercedes Benz," though. If you wanna be a "Superstar," Gilby, you need to have really great songs. Or a hip-hop beat, unfortunately. 8 - DUFF MCKAGAN - Believe In Me. There are some good guests on this album, (Sebastian Bach, Lenny Kravitz) but unfortunately, the album sounds like it was recorded by Duff himself in the middle of the night on the road with no intention of releasing it as an album. Oh wait, that's what happened! "Believe in Me" is a good tune and I dig the rap on "Fuck You," but the album as a whole suffers from average songs, really bad lyrics and a bass player's singing voice, making it my least favourite solo album. As with Slash, I believe Duffy will be taking his next one a lot more seriously, and I hope it's a lot better as a result. This one's "Just Not There." C'ya, - - Fred.