Guns N’ Roses
Appetite for Destruction 2 CD Deluxe Edition
(Universal Music Canada)
3/5
When I first heard Appetite for Destruction as an impressionable pie-faced 12-year-old, it was about the only thing that made sense to me for a good nine months. The incredible fury-loaded riffs and roars in “Welcome to the Jungle” and “Sweet Child o’ Mine,” and the poetic, fast-paced beats of “My Michelle”… the album is a rock nut’s bible.
Appetite, originally released in 1987, is now being reissued in several different formats, including the Locked N’ Loaded box set, which sells for a grand on the band’s website.
The two-disc deluxe edition contains a remastered version of the original album plus the band’s 1986 Sound City studio session and live recordings from 1987 in London.
The 1986 studio sessions are raw, fascinating audio footage, serving as an early look at one of the greatest rock bands ever. The songs are a flaw-embraced jackpot; the lead and rhythm guitars are, unfortunately, too unbalanced in the mix. Steven Adler’s drum work is legendary leadership in “Paradise City.” Axl Rose’s vocals are clear, despite sounding distant, and not without the improvisation often found in live recordings. These are studio recordings, but they feel live; even if it sounds far from immaculate at times, that’s not what it’s about.
The live recordings from 1987 are memorable, sometimes for their nails-on-chalkboard vocals and other times for when the musicians take charge, which makes for an incredible experience. AC/DC cover “Whole Lotta Rosie” is fast-paced and, instrumentally speaking, Guns at their best. The guitar solos show why Slash is regarded as one of the best guitarists ever, but, frankly, there are points where Rose’s vocals sound like they’re being sung from my cousin’s garage. At times he sounds frozen, flat, and as though he is forcing every moment of it.
Appetite is an album I’ll come back to for its flaws and strong points alike that end up making for a time capsule of one of the greatest, messiest, and morally uncompromising bands to ever rock. This deluxe edition isn’t as essential but provides a fascinating look into what created one of the best rock albums of all time.