Guns N' Roses - Use Your Illusion I
Released in 1991, 'Use Your Illusion I' was the first of 2 albums released simultaneously. It was also the first Guns N' Roses album to feature Steven Adler's replacement drummer Matt Sorum.
W. Axl Rose - Vocals/Piano/Acoustic Guitar on 'Dead Horse'
Slash - Lead and Rhythm Guitars
Izzy Stradlin - Rhythm Guitar and Lead Guitar on 'Double Talkin' Jive'
Duff McKagan - Bass Guitar
Matt Sorum - Drums
Dizzy Reed - Keyboards and Piano
1. Right Next Door To Hell (Stradlin/Caltia/Rose)
As an opener, this song starts the album in a very energetic way. The song is fast and boasts an exciting guitar riff. The chorus is catchy and has a 'shout-a-long' style to it. Axl Rose's voice is very suited to this song and Slash's guitar playing is typically excellent but is by no means the best on the album. For me, the song ends too quickly on the bridge and I believe that a final chorus should have been added but it is a great song nonetheless. 7/10
2. Dust N' Bones (Stradlin/McKagan/Slash)
This is song showcases the blues roots of Guns N' Roses and the vocal abilities of Izzy Stradlin. Although, he may not be able to screech like Axl, he still gets the job done and his voice is perfect for this song. The song has clever lyrics and another great Slash solo. In my opinion, this is one of Guns N' Roses best songs and displays their range of styles. 8/10
3. Live And Let Die (Paul and Linda McCartney)
A cover of the Wings classic. One of Guns N' Roses heavier songs with brutal vocals and excellent rhythm. The song is kept short and seems like a song that is meant to be played live. 7/10
4. Don't Cry (Stradlin/Rose)
First ballad of the album and contains very emotional lyrics. Axl's voice is on spectacular form on this song and the rest of the band works really well together on this song. Slash plays yet another well-written guitar solo and the song builds up to a climatic end. 9/10
5. Perfect Crime (Stradlin/Slash/Rose)
Another fast rock song. It is kept short and Axl suits yet another song perfectly. This is another well-written song and proves that the rock n' roll spirit heard in 'Appetite For Destruction' was still in the band after their success. 9/10
6. You Ain't The First (Stradlin)
This is a slow acoustic song. Although I like this song, I don't think it belongs on the album because due to the quality of other songs, 'You Ain't The First' doesn't fit. But a good song nonetheless. 6/10
7. Bad Obsession (Stradlin/Arkeen)
This song has a very classic rock feel to it and is one of my favourite songs from the album. Axl's voice is very different in this song and I would have prefered it differently but luckily the song isn't ruined by this. The song features a harmonica (played by Mike Monroe) and has great slide guitar played by Slash. 8/10
8. Back Off Bitch (Huge/Rose)
A moderately paced song. Although this song isn't the best on the album, it does feature good vocals and great rhythm guitars. It is not a song that I usually skip when I listen to the album through. 7/10
9. Double Talkin' Jive (Stradlin)
This song showcases Izzy Stradlin's song-writing, guitar playing and vocal ability. The chorus is complimented by Axl's background vocals. The song features an excellent melodic solo as played by Izzy Stradlin. As the electric guitars fade, Slash plays a soothing classical guitar solo. 8/10
10. November Rain (Rose)
One of Guns N' Roses' most well-known songs. The song is arranged beautifully and the orchestra compliment the song successfully. The song also features some of Slash's greatest guitar playing and great lyrics by Axl Rose. The song ends in spectacular form as Slash plays a fantastic guitar solo with a great accompanying choir. 10/10
11. The Garden (Arkeen/James/Rose)
This is a song that people either love or hate. I personally don't mind it. It features relaxing slide guitar played by Slash before the drummer Matt Sorum takes the song into the chorus. Features the vocals of Alice Cooper and Shannon Hoon. 7/10
12. Garden Of Eden (Slash/Rose)
A very fast song. The lyrics suit the song very well and the rhythm guitars are played perfectly. Slash plays a great, fast guitar solo on this track. The song only lasts 2 minutes and 36 seconds but the song is played very well and again shows that they could still rock. 10/10
13. Don't Damn Me (Slash/Land/Rose)
Another favourite of mine from this album. The song has a great riff and the lyrics are very typical for Axl Rose. I dislike Axls voice through some of the song but he makes up for it during the final chorus. 9/10
14. Bad Apples (Slash/McKagan/Stradlin/Rose)
I usually skip this song but it is not necessarily a bad song. It is blues-rock with a catchy chorus. I like the bass played on this song but the song doesn't appeal to me as much as the other songs on the album. 7/10
15. Dead Horse (Rose)
The song starts with Axl singing and playing acoustic. Within first hearing, I believed that the song would be nothing special. I was wrong. The rest of the band come in after a brutal scream by Axl. This is one of my favourites and Axl sings perfectly in this song, especially at the bridge when he lets out another gut wrenching scream quickly followed by a melodic guitar solo played by Slash. The song ends as it started and calms things down before the final track. 9/10
16. Coma (Slash/Rose)
The song starts with a sinister sounding bass riff and the song becomes really heavy when the other band members join in. Matt Sorum plays excellently in this song. The song is definately Guns N' Roses heaviest song. The song goes through many parts including the superb first verse and the eerily calm middle part. Slash plays an excellent solo and the whole band play fantastically together. The final section of the song features great lyrics and equally great music accompanying. Ends the album in great fashion. 10/10
