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L.A. GUNS “Leopard Skin”
L.A. GUNS “Leopard Skin”
By Dark Starr
I’m going to avoid GUNS N’ ROSES comparisons in this review. I’m sure anyone who knows who L.A. GUNS are knows the connection. So, those references seem a little too obvious. I know some people consider this band to be metal. I can make out metal leanings, for certain, but they are more hard rock as far as I’m concerned. All that said, I think this is a very strong album that has a decent amount of variety built into it.
As the album starts, “Taste It” drives in fierce and hard-edged. It’s a smoking hot metal meets rock and roll stomper. It reminds me quite a bit of AC/DC mixed with NAZARETH. “Lucky Motherfucker” is next, and as you might guess, the track earns a definite parental advisory for the lyrics. It is a driving hard rocker that has some hints of power pop and glam rock. It’s catchy, but it’s also meaty and mean. The mellower section mid-track has some melodic classic rock vibes at play.
The song that bears the title “The Grinder” really is a killer grinder. It features slide guitar bringing a bluesy angle. That’s merged with both punk and metal angles. It all works together to create something really special and driving. This thing is unique and one of my favorite songs here. It really has a lot of power, passion and style.
“Hit And Run” is a punky, hard rocking tune that has some great hooks and a lot of meat on its bones. It’s another standout tune. Somehow “Don't Gimme Away” gives me just a little bit of an ALICE COOPER vibe. It’s punky, edgy and hard rocking. Another punk leaning rocker, “I'm Your Candy Man” is cool stuff. It has some solid hooks, too.
Bluesy acoustic guitar gets things going on “Runaway Train.” It includes a train whistle, too. It turns into more of a punky rocker as it continues. Metal and punky hard rock merge on the screaming hot tune that goes by the name “Following The Money.” There is a bit of that ALICE COOPER thing on that track, too.
Coming in as a bit of a power-ballad, “The Masquerade” also makes me think of Mr. Cooper. Of course, with that title, it should, right? There are definite hints of THE ROLLING STONES at play, too. I love the riff driven metallic jamming on “If You Wanna.” It’s another strong rocker. It doesn’t break any molds, but it does what it does quite well, making it a great closing shot.
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