Deadline Music 2012
L.A Guns release their first original album in 7 years and not only will ‘Hollywood Forever’ go down as one of their best but the album also reminds me of why I liked the band in the first place. Production on the album has again been handled by Andy Johns (Rolling Stones, Led Zeppelin), who has worked on the bands last few releases, and he has perfectly captured the feel of the band in 14 tracks of punk edged sleaze.
The album’s title track ‘Hollywood Forever’ and ‘Burn’ sound like they should have been on the band’s 1995 ‘Vicious Circle’ album, whilst ‘Vine St Shimmy’ and ‘Dirty Black Night’ are laced with the sleaze and swagger of their first 2 albums. Vocalist Phil Lewis’ voice is still instantly recognisable and remains as strong as it did back in the late ‘80’s, combine this with the guitar work of Stacey Blades (who sounds like he has been in the band all along) and the solid rhythm section of bassist Scotty Griffin and long time drummer Steve Riley and the result is a real return to form.
‘Underneath the Sun’ is your typical L.A Guns ballad, whilst ‘Requiem (Hollywood Forever)’ is by no means a ballad but is a love song no less- albeit a dark one. ‘Venus Bomb’ features an appearance from original bassist Kelly Nickels and is a superb slice of raucous, dirty, sleaze drenched rock n roll, ‘I Won’t Play’ pretty much carries on that theme and ‘Queenie’ is The Rolling Stones meets early L.A Guns.
The ultimate highlights on the album however are ‘You Better Not Love Me’ and ‘Sweet Mystery’, tracks like these are everything a fan would want from the band, and the Spanish language ‘Arana Negra’ – with a ‘70’s glam rock feel to the drums, the song grinds along and the vocals almost have a menacing feel to them.
Around the release of the album comes the news that original guitarist, and band founder, Tracii Guns has retired his touring version of the band, which can only be good for L.A Guns – but to be honest, with an album this good who needs the original line-up? ‘Hollywood Forever’ is an album that actually makes me feel about 20 again, and with rumours of the band’s UK shows later this year being shelved, it’s a shame if this is true as I for one am really looking forward to hearing this new material live.
*****
Nikk Gunns
Featured Artist: JOSH TAERK
Since early 2020 Josh has been entertaining us with exclusive monthly live sessions, streamed via Facebook.
In 2023 he signed a recording deal with Sony in Canada and released a new single on 15 September.
Next session: Sunday 1 December
Check out videos here: https://www.facebook.com/getreadytorockradio
David Randall presents a weekly show on Get Ready to ROCK! Radio, Sundays at 22:00 GMT, repeated on Mondays and Fridays), when he invites listeners to ‘Assume The Position’. The show signposts forthcoming gigs and tours and latest additions at getreadytorock.com. First broadcast on 20 October 2024.
UK Blues Broadcaster of the Year (2020 and 2021 Finalist) Pete Feenstra presents his weekly Rock & Blues Show on Tuesday at 19:00 GMT as part of a five hour blues rock marathon “Tuesday is Bluesday at GRTR!”. The show is repeated on Wednesdays at 22:00, Fridays at 20:00). This show was first broadcast 22 October 2024.
How to Listen Live?
Click the programming image at the top of the page (top right of page if using desktop)
Listen via Windows Media Player. Click or tap here and “open file”
Listen via other media player (eg. VLC) Click or tap here and “open file”
Get Ready to ROCK! Radio is also in iTunes under Internet Radio/Classic Rock
Listen in via the Tunein app and search for “Get Ready to ROCK!” and save as favourite.
More information and links at our radio website where you can listen again to shows via the presenter pages: getreadytorockradio.com
Power Plays w/c 28 October 2024
THE RASMUS Rest In Pieces (Better Noise Music)
THE PLAGUE What Else Can I Do (FiXT)
STAR CIRCUS Turn The Tide (indie)
DEFENCES Breathe It In (Long Branch Records)
Featured Albums w/c 28 October 2024
09:00-12:00 The Best of 2003-2023 (Melodic Rock)
12:00-13:00 The Best of 2003-2023 (Melodic Hard Rock)
14:00-16:00 The Best of 2003-2023 (Singer Songwriter)
PDF - you can delete unwanted sections
