1991 is often referred to as one of the greatest years ever for hard rock and heavy metal. The year saw countless, massive records released to wide scale audiences, who ate up what they were offered: Metallica’s self titled, Pearl Jam’s eponymous debut album ‘Ten,’ Red Hot Chili Peppers’ major breakthrough with ‘Blood, Sugar, Sex, Magic,’ Nirvana’s ‘Nevermind,’ Soundgarden’s ‘Badmotorfinger,’ Mr. Big’s ‘Lean Into It,’ Sepultura’s ‘Arise,’ Skid Row’s #1 ‘Slave to the Grind,’ Tesla’s ‘Psychotic Supper.’ You get the picture. But arguably the most epic, well crafted and ambitious release of the year was the release of Guns N’ Roses’ ‘Use Your Illusion’ albums.
While their iconic debut ‘Appetite for Destruction’ has gotten a bit more commercial recognition in the long run. ‘Use Your Illusions I & II’ are really the bands crowning achievement. A double record, smartly released as two separate albums on the same day. It is one of the highest quality selection of songs that hard rock has to offer. All the way from ‘Right Next Door to Hell’ to ‘My World,’ the combined 30 song collection runs an astonishing total time of 152 minutes. And is still considered to be one of the most ambitious projects any band has ever done. Granted some of the songs from ‘Use Your Illusion 1’ were were written years before.
Either way, the entire two album release, along with the insanely large world tour, did gangbusters. And rightfully so. There’s just so many tremendous tracks. And many haven’t been played live in quite some time. Which is a shame, because it’s the deep cuts that make the ‘Use Your Illusion’ albums so special. Tracks like ‘Don’t Damn Me,’ ‘Bad Apples,’ ‘Locomotive’ and ‘Breakdown’ are all prime, grade a delicious hard rock. They’re arguably the four most overlooked tracks in the GN’R catalog. ‘Locomotive’ wasn’t revived live until a show in Wichita, KS during the ‘Not In This Lifetime Tour.’ Which is a shame because it really should be a concert staple. Along with the other three tracks that were rarely played in their heyday.
The staples and hits also hold up really well too. The ballads: ‘November Rain,’ ‘Don’t Cry,’ and the cover of ‘Knockin’ on Heavens’ door are all incredible live. Particularly the latter. ‘Estranged’ is one of the greatest songs ever written. In any popular genre. ‘Double Talkin’ Jive’ is a kick ass concert staple that leads into some other worldly guitar jammage live. ‘Civil War,’ which leads off ‘Use Your Illusion II’ is not a particularly great opener. But it has the distinction of being original drummer Steven Adler’s last appearance on a GN’R record. The Cult’s Matt Sorum would do the rest of the work. ‘You Could Be Mine,’ the first single released for the ‘Terminator 2′ soundtrack is what got the buzz going during the summer of ’91. It let the people know that Guns N’ Roses were still a bad ass band. And of course, there’s the cover of ‘Live and Let Die.’ One of the best covers ever.
Then there’s the punk side of the albums: ‘Get in the Ring’ addresses the press complications that GN’R faced. Ever going as far as to name some with a scathing mid song monolog. ‘Perfect Crime’ is one of the most overlooked tracks on both albums. Searing with adrenaline, attitude and provoking nature that helped keep rock relevant during the early 90’s and beyond. Earning the band the ever coveted ‘Parental Advisory’ sticker. ‘Shotgun Blues’ also reigns in the danger mixed with classic blues rock. The ‘non Axl’ lead vocal tracks also kick ass. Izzy Stradlin’s ‘Dust N’ Bones’ and ’14 years’ really set a timeless, quality hard rock standard that persists to this day.
Overall, the ‘Use Your Illusion’ albums are a step above so many of their competitors. And they established Guns N’ Roses as the top band of their era. Even leading to a conjoined tour between them and Metallica. Which ended in horror by the way. But the legacy of the albums still stands 30’s years later. Still inspiring young players and kicking ass.
