Customer Reviews

Cocked & Loaded

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The LA Guns sophomore album "Cocked & Loaded" (1989) pretty much picks up where the self-titled debut (1988) left off. The LA Guns offer another top-notch collection of sleazy sunset-strip rock n' roll. Only compared to the debut, "Cocked & Loaded" is smoother, less rough-around-the edges. Perhaps aware as excellent as their debut album was, they knew that it lacked "the hit." The LA Guns try not to repeat the same mistake this time around, with super infectious, would-be radio-staples such as "Never Enough" and "The Baled of Jayne."

Although the album did go platinum, it has never quite received the praise or recognition that it deserved. "Cocked & Loaded" stands right besides the best offerings from Motley Crue, Skid Row, or Poison as one of the best pop-metal albums from the late 80s.

If you are into 80s metal and want to check out the LA Guns, this album and the debut are the best places to start.

I was a major hard rock fan at the time of this album's release, eighteen and full of attitude. I was heading off to college that fall, and where I was going was not known for it's tolerances on many things- I was a Black girl listening to Poison, Queensryche and Led Zeppelin, heading for a school where most people thought that Bon Jovi was an Italian dish. I remember the first song from the album I heard was 'Rip and Tear', a barroom brawl of a song. Then, of course there was the haunting 'Ballad of Jayne', which still moves the hardest of rock fans. But the best parts of the album were never singles- case in point, 'Never Enough', a plain hard rock song with a chorus that hooks you instantly, and 'Malaria' , a six-minute sonic ballast that engulfs you. The rest of the album is straightforward rock-and-roll, even on the bonus song 'I Wanna Be Your Man' -wonderfully tongue in cheek lyrics. They may have been compared to their fellow Hollywood minions, accused of being sexist (in a cartoonish way, I think) and comparisions to these groups are there, but this album proves that they were far more honest about sex and sin on this second album than on the first one- and thank God for that.

Los Angeles' other top Guns resurfaced with a screaming vengeance on their sophomore effort COCKED AND LOADED, an album that was more of a continuation than a follow-up to the band's classic 1988 debut. Whereas some hard rock bands experimented in different musical styles album to album, the guys in L.A. Guns were very comfortable playing their brand of slightly blues-tinged very sleazy and raunchy rock and roll. And you know what? More power to them. Why fix something that isn't broken?

Down and dirty rockers such as "Sex Action," "No Mercy," "Electris Gypsy" and "One More Reason" helped establish a strong base for L.A. Guns the first time out. The exact kind of songs are thankfully all over COCKED AND LOADED. "Never Enough," "Malaria" and "Sleazy Come Easy Go" pick you up by the face and smash you to the wall. And there's one of the best power ballads of the time period in "The Ballad Of Jane," an ode to yesteryear's Jane Mansfield.

"Malaria," particularly, is a rather interesting rocker. The band use the plague as a modern day metaphor for venereal disease. How sweet, eh? Sings the incomparable king of sleaze Phil Lewis: "Is this the final curtain/ I don't believe what's happening/ She hides behind a veil of tears/ Plays upon my darkest fears/ Sheeeeeeeeeeeeeee's -- give or take a few eeeeeeeee' -- malaria!" The wild lyrics and some biting guitar work from Tracii Guns and slaughterhouse drumming from Steven Riley make "Malaria" the most intense song on this album.

Quite simply, L.A. Guns is a band that rocks full force and offers no excuses for doing so. Man, I miss this sleazy brand of beer-drenched, chick-grabbing, kick ass slutty rock and roll.

This album is absolutley one of L.A. Guns greatest albums ever and was ver underrated, there is not one bad spot on this album from beginning to end. Phil Lewis's voice has never sounded better specially on Never Enoughs chorus, leaves me speechless that he can sing like that. this album, like I said was underrated even though it did go platinum, the only song people seem to remember is "The Ballad of Jayne" which is a great song, but in my opinion is not the best, this whole cd is memorable and shouldnt just be known for just one song "highly recommended"

This is the amazing band that Traci Gunns started after he and Axl Rose broke up their band 'Hollywood Rose', that was the original 'Guns and Roses', if you will. You can now purchase the 'Hollywood Rose' cd now, as well.
I believe that the main reason Guns -n- Roses overshadowed L.A. Guns was because they were the first band like that to get out of the starting gate back in the mid to late 80's, as well as being geniusly talented. Traci Gunns, in my opinion is definately right up there in talent with Slash any day. These guys got pretty okay props for how good they were at the time, but nothing like I always felt that they deserved. You will be hard pressed to find a better road trip album. I PROMISE YOU!
Now Traci's in the band Brides of Destruction with Nikki Sixx.
All of L.A. Guns albums are pretty good in my view, but especially the first two albums... L.A. GUNS (self-titled), and Cocked and Loaded. I, too, have listened to these albums since I was 19, and I'm 35 now, and even though I'm into much heavier bands of today, I will always love great 80's booze, boots,tattoos and broads rock/metal that I grew up with, and that still takes me back every time,(sniff). Traci is just one of the guys who I dug in the 80's that inspired me to fully tattoo both of my arms-- lol. And this cd is brought to you in a way that only L.A. GUNS can deliver! All of the songs kick major ass, but 'The ballad of Jane' is still one of the BEST and heartfelt rock ballads to come out of that era. Then to close out the album is the rocked out slammin' "I WANNA BE YOUR MAN" that puts you in the mind of riding a black Harley chopper down the road at high speed with a hot babe on the back! I saw these guys live at THE REGENCY in Springfield,Mo. in '88, and was so close that I could reach out and slap Kelly Nichols' boots, and did! Still one of the best live shows for me to date! If you like and feel what I'm trying to convey in this review, then this is the album for you. You won't be dissapointed! GYPSY! ELECTRIC GYPSY! ALL NITE LONG!!!

Even though L.A. Guns weren't deemed "as good" or weren't as popular as Guns 'n' Roses or AC/DC, they were still very very good (for a couple albums). Most people seem to laugh at the thought of hair metal, but for those who can look past these criticisms this is just great fun! Singer Phil Lewis is an excellent and very likable vocalist who, although he arguably isn't as great as AC/DC's, for example, still gets the job done. L.A. Guns aren't bothered with trying to be the most politically aware or thought-provoking group on the planet, so it's at least good that every song here makes for a great and energetic hard rock album (minus the slow-natured "The Ballad Of Jayne"). Every song is good or great, and, although none are necessarily memorable, they're all fun to listen to while you're playing it. The lyrics, like I said, aren't intelligent at all, but they're catchy and fun - in this genre that's half the battle. Musically it's pretty standard hard rock, but they deliver in terms of catchy, fun and energetic rock songs. The musicianship, though derivative, is still really really good. This may not be music that everyone will like, but if you love hair metal then "Cocked & Loaded" is one of the best albums you can buy! Highly recommended!

Highlights include:
the entire album!

While most 80's metal bands were hit machines most of their albums were not all that great. Maybe a good or great one every once in a while. This is one great one. From the opening one-two punch of "Slap in the Face" and "Rip and Tear" to The ending "Wheels of Fire" and "I Wanna Be Your Man" the CD rocks. That's not saying its totally consistant, but it does have plenty of good tracks on it. Even "The Ballad of Jane" their biggest hit is a great song which makes this an essential purchase for anyone who enjoys 80's metal.

L.A. Guns' first album was great, but rough around the edges. It showed a lot of promise, and they fulfilled this promise on their follow-up record "Cocked & Loaded." This cd kicks off with the cocky and sleazy "Letting Go," a pop metal blast which sets the tone for the entire cd. This is L.A. Guns' most consistent album. There are no bad tracks or fillers on this cd. Highlights on this record include the cool mtv hit "Never Enough," the rocking single "Rip And Tear," and the sleazy, sing-along anthem "Sleazy Come, Easy Go." Of course let's not forget my #1 favorite song of all-time, "The Ballad Of Jayne," which is the L.A. Guns' only Top 40 hit.

Man, this album rocks right from the start. Phil Lewis has a terrific voice but what makes this band and album is Tracii Guns awsome guitar riffs. Flat-out, this album just rocks! I'd rank it up there with the best rock albums of all time (Guns N Roses, Appetite, Motley's Girls..Girls..Girls and AC/DC's Back in Black) Cocked & Loaded may be the most underrated album of all time.

LA Guns were in the middle of the 80's LA metal scene but never got the recognition like many of their counterparts. It is somewhat mystifying why they never took off more than they did. Without them, there would be no Guns N Roses for one thing. But about their lack of success, it is somewhat odd that they didn't take off. They had a very charismatic look for the time, they had a bonafied hit single and a few minor ones as well. They were very solid musically, and had the street cred that alot of the hair bands at the time did not. So, it is a wonder why they are not among the heavy weights of the time. Nevertheless, Cocked & Loaded, their second album, is a very solid group of songs from top to bottom. Their biggest hit, "The Ballad Of Jayne" is here. I have to point out that this is the original version and the best one at that. It seems that the band has remixed this song and re-released it on subsequent releases and greatest hit compilations. But, the original is really magic here. It was the one time LA Guns seemed to capture lightning in a bottle. The rest of the album is an enjoyable listen. Alot of gritty rockers and some slower tunes, all very well written and a good listen each time. I liked Magdalaine alot, and think of that as a stand- out track, really mixing every great element of the band into one killer song. One thing I always liked about them, and something that was carried over into early GNR is that, although a metal band, if you break down their music they really have more in common with the Rolling Stones than they do with the typical metal bands of the day. Most of their music is acoustic guitar based and seemed to stem from a heavy blues influence. For that reason, they never seemed to quite fit in with the crowd, and that's probably what hurt them the most as far as commercial success. It's not a bad thing, though, and I am sure they would rather have their integrity in the end, which they most certainly do in my opinion. For this reason I hope more and more people will give them a chance and re-discover the greatness that was LA Guns.