L.A. Guns
Man in the Moon (Spitfire)
by Vinnie Apicella
L.A. Guns now features 4/5s of the original lineup, sans bassist Kelly Nickels. Man in the Moon was to be a return to the classic style of the early and most-loved material. It’s not quite full circle, but it’s a start. Featuring a more stripped-down style, gritty and determined, they’re apparently not looking for a quick ’80s flashback cash-in. The first tune, “Man in the Moon,” reminds me of the riff-driven and raucous material on 1994’s underrated Vicious Circle – heavy rock with a soothing verse and grinding chorus.
This is a record that takes some getting used to, but it’s a step in the right direction (actually the second, the first being their reformation). They’ve strayed from the formulaic style – or “full circle” tendency – to explore a deft and more roots-oriented approach that carries its own weight rather than ten years of guilt-ridden baggage packed to the seams with unfulfilled commercial promise.
(101 Bay Ave. Hicksville, NY 11801)