Guns N' Roses - Use Your Illusion II review
| Band: | Guns N' Roses |
| Album: | Use Your Illusion II |
| Style: | Hard rock |
| Release date: | September 17, 1991 |
| Guest review by: | JavierML |
01. Civil War
02. 14 Years
03. Yesterdays
04. Knockin' On Heaven's Door [Bob Dylan cover]
05. Get In The Ring
06. Shotgun Blues
07. Breakdown
08. Pretty Tied Up
09. Locomotive
10. So Fine
11. Estranged
12. You Could Be Mine
13. Don't Cry [Alternative Lyrics version]
14. My World
Brief story. This was my very first album, a gift from my cousin for my birthday. And so, this is my first review, for an album that I really like and didn't have one.
I think this is the best album by Guns N' Roses. The essence of hard rock-mixed blues (matching the color of the cover) is amazing and more refined than the previous albums and some ballads that have always been a part of G N' R. Axl's awesome voice in his prime lets you know what this is about, the solos by Slash have their unique signature that give G N' R its soul, Izzy contributes with his songwriting - and backing up Slash, Duff brings deepness to the music. Matt fits perfectly in his debut.
The production is flawless - you can hear every instrument clearly and with the exact volume to appreciate the entire performance.
The songs that absolutely kick ass are "Civil War", which has acoustic guitar, power riffs, very nice progression and meaningful lyrics; and "You Could Be Mine", the heaviest song in the album which has the energy that blew away stadiums in the '90s.
On the other hand, they may have just taken what Led Zeppelin did 20 years before to another level. Many of the songs have the same basis, and it feels like the piano is the same in every song. "My World" really sucks, but Axl decided he wanted it and there it is - blame the asshole for that.
Can't avoid to compare with Use Your Illusion I: this one is heavier and feels more complex. You won't get bored of this album and will enjoy from listening to some tracks over and over. This is perfect as a beginning into the world of metal as an entrance to heavier stuff.
Rating breakdown
| Performance: | 9 |
| Songwriting: | 8 |
| Originality: | 8 |
| Production: | 10 |
Written by JavierML | 02.12.2013
Guest review disclaimer:
This is a guest review, which means it does not necessarily represent the point of view of the MS Staff.
This is a guest review, which means it does not necessarily represent the point of view of the MS Staff.
Comments
Comments: 6
Visited by: 60 users
| Andresopeth Posts: 201  |
This was my favorite album since my first steps into rock until i met Opeth, it still has that special feeling of reember how it felt when i listened in my early adolescense, is like the "first kiss", so for me was a surprise to read this review, a pretty good one, by the way, and Estranged a huge highlight of the album, but i love this segment of the album: Breakdown-Pretty Tied Up-Locomotive Soooo amazing. Thanks for posting this one!
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| Ace Frawley The Spaceman Posts: 1459  |
Cool and yeah, I agree "Civil War" is a kick ass song - I think it's the best song the gunners ever did. It is a really good album, although as you point out, there are some songs that could have been cut. The low point for me was the ridiculous rant that Axl indulged in on the song "Get in the Ring". The guy has some serious issues.
---- The sun shines over The Fool...
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| JavierML Posts: 8 |
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| Azarath Free as a.. Fish Posts: 965  |
I do think 9.0 is too high for this album. It's just terribly inconsistent, though some songs are among the best G n' R ever did. When it's good, it's great... but when it's bad, it's awful.
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| Bad English Tage Westerlund Posts: 61982  |
I think its equally album album every song can be hit and are hit, little better as I, lyrics and songs are more whit some meaning ----
---- I stand whit Ukraine and Israel. They have right to defend own citizens. Stormtroopers of Death - "Speak English or Die"  I better die, because I never will learn speek english, so I choose dieing
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| BlankFile Posts: 705 |
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