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The new record, Chinese Democracy, wasn't all that good though, and the band isn't the same, either. It wasn't as good as Appetite, and somewhat pretentious and self indulgent. It did contain some good songs though, which still get much radio airplay, today.
The seven-minute epic anti-war "Civil War" starts the album with a combination of acoustic/electric guitars, some whistling, the melodic soling form Slash and the great vocals from Axl. Perhaps an influence.There's a 9-minute epic "Estranged" written by Rose on his own with many pattern changes. All songs rock except for the rap experiment "My World" that closes the album and in my opinion, it should have been left out. At the end it changes dramatically for a cool up-tempo piano driven section. This is the second part of the classic "Use Your Illusion" recording released in 1991 with the line-up of Axl Rose on vocals/keyboards, Izzy Stradlin/Slash on lead/rhythm guitars, Duff McKagan on bass/vocals, and Matt Sorum on drums plus guest Dizzy Reed on keyboards.
The rest of the songs are also cool with the only negative aspect being the often explicit lyrics but the music is the reason why this LP gets a five-star rating from me.Thanks for taking the time to read. Last but not least their cover of Bob Dylan's "Knocking On Heaven's Door" is fantastic with some incredibly melodic soloing from Slash. Compare the verse on this song to the one on Thin Lizzy's "Angel From The Coast".it's a similar idea. "Pretty Tied Up" is also interesting starting with an Arabic sounding intro in the key of C# and the verses have a punk rock-Sex Pistols-"Anarchy In The UK"-inspired chord progression like this: C#5 F#5 Bb5 C#5 / F#5 F5 Eb5 C#5. the verses in "14 Years" (sung by Stradlin) are played in the key of Ab going down like this: Abm F# E Eb. The whistling on the intro on "Breakdown" is catchy and the ballad sung by Mc Kagan "So Fine" is also cool with a somewhat similar chord structure as "Civil War" on the verses. For example the verses in "Civil War" are played in the key of Eb with these chords: Ebm F# Bbm, I'm not sure if they are really playing on that tone or perhaps the guitars were tuned down half a step throughout. I also like the part with the notes F# C# B D E.
It was recorded in many studios over the period of 1990-91. The intro (with the cool melodic slide guitar on top) is played in the key of F#m and goes to B. Later. Today, I was playing along to the album with my keyboard and noticed that all the songs are played in rather unusual tones. One of my favorites is the heavy funk rocker "Locomotive" (the verses are also in the key of Ab) with its quick rhythm guitar attack and killer soloing from Slash and Axl's singing based on the Ab mixolydian scale in the verses.
"Locamotive" is a great and very interesting song. Use Your Illusion 2 is part 2 of the Use Your Illusion albums. "Get in The Ring" is a very funny song, but very explicet, but good. Buy the album.
This band had a world of talent. It's a shame that they have had so many problems. But this is a very great album from an amazing rock/metal group. Some more popular songs like "Estranged", "Civil War", and "So Fine".
"Breakdown" is a very good song. There is a version of "Don't Cry" with different lyrics. The remake of"Knockin On Heavens Door" is good. "You Could Be Mine" is a fast paced song and one of the best.
It is very different. The punky "Shotgun Blues" is a fun song. "Pretty Tied Up" is one of the most interesting songs on the album.
Like its volume 1 counterpart, UYI2 contains enough memorable ballads and a few charming southern rockers to overlook a lengthy majority of dated work which doesn't necessarily stand the test of time.
Check out vinylengine.com for more on Back in Black vinyl. After getting original LPs of all of Guns albums to date, I would have to agree this version sounds like a CD. It does not sound like it came from an ANALOG source. This album is a FIVE STAR. Recommend paying more and looking for an original issue from eBay. THIS VERSION of UYI I is a 3 STAR. ALL of Guns albums are. Back to Black has been accused on several vinyl lovers sites of pressing CD Masters on vinyl.
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