Vicious Circle

L.A. Guns | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (February 7, 1995)
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: Polygram Records
• ASIN: B000008OHS
• Also Available in: Audio CD  |  Audio Cassette
• Average Customer Review: 4.4 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (10 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #166,983 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Unfairly never got a chance, December 17, 2005

By 

Daniel Maltzman (Arlington, MA, USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Vicious Circle (Audio CD)

After a three year hiatus, the LA Guns returned to the scene in 1994 for their fourth album "Vicious Circle." The musical landscape had seen a major change between the release of "Hollywood Vampires" (1991) and "Vicious Circle." The LA Guns brand of sleazy pop-metal that had so defined the band's first three albums was completely passé by the mid 90s. In 1994 it was all about grunge and alternative rock.

Pop metal bands who enjoyed success in the late 80s and early 90s generally responded to the public's change in taste in one of two ways. They either lived in a vacuum, acting as though Nirvana and Pearl Jam had never taken place (Vince Neil) or they embraced a pseudo grunge/alternative sound in an attempt to modernize (Motley Crue). The LA Guns opted for a third option; keep the main elements of their sound but make a very aggressive album.

So what you have with "Vicious Circle" is a 80s pop-metal band, a product of the sunset strip, trying to fit in to the alt-rock 90s without selling out. "Vicious Circe" succeeds in this attempt. The band still encompasses their signature Aerosmith/Zeppelin riffs, melody and sing along choruses, only the band eschews much of the sleaze that had been a major element of their first three albums. The band also sounds far more aggressive, but without sounding forced, a problem that pretty much ruined the band's next release "American Hardcore" (1996). Although the songs aren't quite as catchy or memorable as those on the first three albums, the band hadn't sounded this edgy or hungry since their self-titled debut (1988). Guitarist Tracii Guns came up with a batch of great riffs that leaves the listener feeling fully satisfied.

"Vicious Circle" would prove to be the end of an era. It was the band's last album with its (mostly) original lineup until 2001's "Man on the Moon." Phil Lewis, (vocals) Mick Cripps (guitar) and Kelly Nickels (bass) would not return for the follow-up album. Only Tracii Guns would be back for "American Hardcore." The band's usual drummer Steve Riley sat out "Vicious Circle" and is replaced by a number of studio players (he would be back for all subsequent LAG releases).

Although the LA Guns released a fine album, "Vicious Circle" unfortunately went nowhere commercially. After the release of Nirvana's "Nevermind" the line was drawn in the sand. With the emergence of grunge and alternative rock, many great bands had their careers torpedoed. The LA Guns were unfortunately one of grunge rock's victims. This is a shame, because while "Vicious Circle" isn't a masterpiece, it's still a better than average rock album that deserves to be heard.

If you are a fan of the band and missed "Vicious Circle" the first time around, try giving it a second chance today.

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars This album OWNS!!!, June 12, 2007

By 

Deimos "." (Alberta) - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Vicious Circle (Audio CD)

This album shows why L.A. Guns were ust as good as Guns N Roses. Awesome album, hard and heavy Guns style. Best rock n roll out there. Sickly underrated!!

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars L.A. Guns - 'Vicious Circle' (Polygram), May 1, 2005

By 

Mike Reed (USA) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)   

This review is from: Vicious Circle (Audio CD)

Well,well as I live and breathe,L.A. Guns actually made a comeback,and a very welcome one at that.This fifteen track disc is good.Tracks that I thought were well written include the opener "Face Down","Killing Machine","Long Time Dead","Fade Away" and the instrumental "Tarantula".Also sort of liked "Nothing Better To Do" where bassist Kelly Nickels provides the vocals.Until with this here CD,I haven't checked out any L.A.Guns in sometime now.Remember seeing them play a club when they were touring to support their self-titled debut effort.Glad to see they've made a return.Good '80's glam rock&roll rekindled.