L.A. GUNS – The Missing Peace [Japanese Edition] (2017)

For every L.A. GUNS’ fan, myself included, “The Missing Peace” is one of the most awaited albums of the year. To be released by Frontiers Music next week, it just appeared in Japan with a lovely acoustic version of the song ‘Christine’ as bonus track.

In fact, every ’80s hard rock aficionado has been waiting for the L.A. Guns comeback, with original guitarist Tracii Guns and vocalist Phillip Lewis reunited in the band.
There’s a change of lineup, with Shane Fitzgibbon instead of Steve Riley at drums. All is rounded out by Johnny Martin on bass with Michael Grant on guitar as a touring member.

“The Missing Peace” show us how good L.A. Guns always has been. For some musician we can tell that there is no rest for the wicked, this is the case for L.A. Guns that formed in 1983, and continue to rock their style 2017, pure sleazy hard rock for all their fans’ joy.
With them, the sound of golden Sunset Strip and street years never end and we can feel this atmosphere on this new album as well.

“It’s All the Same to Me” it’s such a great opener track, this piece is the essence of the band, it contains all the elements we’ve grown accustomed to, pronounced guitar riffs, rapid pace and so ’80s in somehow, considering how fresh and modern sound it is.
“Speed”, one of the singles L.A. Guns released, is pure power and authentic sleazy Hard Rock, this track gives us the idea how alive L.A. Guns still are, rejuvenated if they ever had a lack of energy in their career. This song is one of the coolest on the album, so catchy.

The following “A Drop of Bleach” has the same spirit, less easy but punchy, with heavy guitars and tight rhythm, just another good piece of classic hard rock.
“Sticky Fingers” doesn’t skip a beat, in fact, this track is quite heavy and melodic at the same time, respectable and massive music, where we can feel the band’s mood.
“Christine”, the other single released, remind so much of a Guns n’ Roses sound, but it turns to be a good song anyway, nothing new but another very positive proof for Phillip Lewis’s voice.

A pretty good song is “Baby Gotta Fever”, the right piece to listen to a live show and scream the refrain altogether with the band, shaking and joying it. Absolutely a dazzling tune. “Kill It or Die” remind once again of a certain trademark LA Sleazy style, a solid track with a taste of the Seventies.
A change of pace comes via “Don’t Bring a Knife to a Gunfight”: this is L.A. Guns stylishness with something new like a Reckless Love sound in comparison and somehow it’s like the band put their self out there.

More hard n’ heavy comes with “The Devil Made Me Do It”, so speedy and fresh and definitely in the perfect L.A. Guns mood and bravado. This song is absolutely spewing from Phil Lewis and Tracii Gun’s soul.
So fine is title track “The Missing Peace”, delivering an emotion of that only LA Guns is known more, pure passionate rock. “Gave It All Away”, another great song, a brilliant rocker that nearly reaches epic sounds with a killer riff all over.

Sounding invigorated and hungry, L.A. Guns are back in a sparkling shape. While “The Missing Peace” is not as instant as their classic albums, it is still a mighty fine record that gets better with each spin.
A great attempt to recapture the sound of a band who epitomized ’80s US sleazy hard rock, rocking with the same enthusiasm as ever.
HIGHLY Recommended

01 – It’s All the Same to Me
02 – Speed
03 – A Drop of Bleach
04 – Sticky Fingers
05 – Christine
06 – Baby Gotta Fever
07 – Kill It or Die
08 – Don’t Bring a Knife to a Gunfight
09 – The Flood’s the Fault of the Rain
10 – The Devil Made Me Do It
11 – The Missing Peace
12 – Gave It All Away
13 – Christine (Acoustic Version) [Japan bonus]

Philip Lewis – Vocals
Tracii Guns – Guitars
Johnny Martin – Bass
Michael Grant – Guitar
Shane Fitzgibbon – Drums

BUY IT !
www.cdjapan.co.jp/product/KICP-1858
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