Customer Reviews

Vicious Circle

5 star:		(6)
4 star:		(3)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

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.

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!!

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.

It all started with this L.A.Guns cd for me, it was the VERY first cd I ever owned, thats probably why I love it so much, but theres something more about this album that I love besides the fact that it was my first album. They got a little bit harder then what fans were use to hearing from the first 3 albums and I think thats a reason why some fans were dissapointed, but for me it was dissapointing at all, I dont know I just love this style that they did, its not what L.A.Guns is really about, but ive never heard this hard rock style sound so good, they did a great job on this album and I do recommend it for true L.A.Guns fans, give this album a chance, it will truly grow on you.

I have been an LA Guns fan since the first album. (which was them at their hardest). Vicious Circle is Awesome! To be truthful, I got this album when it first came out and listened to about half of it, then moved on to the next. However, I came back to it, because I knew I didn't even give it a chance, and I know I love these guys. So, I put it in my player at work, and I listen to it over and over now. Each song is different, and very good. LA Guns have always done great ballads, and they do outstanding work here. (Though why Crystal Eyes is on this album after being on "Hollywood Vampires" I don't know - but it's a kick a$$ song!) Kiss of Death is beautiful. And "Nothin better to do" is great rock out song-but way too short. The whole album is great. Get this album if you can find it, you will not regret it!!!!

L.A. Guns is by far one of the most overlooked bands to come out of the Sunset Strip scene! "Vicious Circle" is another great, but little heard album from this incredible band. Any fan of L.A. Guns, or 80's Metal in general, needs this album! It is different than thier debut or "Cocked & Loaded" in that it is a little on the heavier side and is lyrically different. But in the end it's a great CD to add to your collection

This is one of the studio albums I don't have by L.A. Guns, (the other being American Hardcore, for obvious reasons). I got A Night On The Strip (LIVE) for the reason that there are a few songs from this CD on it...still kicking myself for not purchasing this CD when it first came out in '95 I believe it was. Would be great if they would reissue, remaster, add some bonus cuts...whatever, with all the new albums they have had out lately like Waking The Dead, Man On The Moon you would think this one would deserve some notice also. Hopefully they will do it right, not re-recording, or re-releasing another greatest hits, but rather just remastering this one for long time fans who have overlooked this gem.

Let Mr. PHIL LEWIS take YOU on a journey! You may not want to return!!!! ha ha (I love this cd) EVERY single track is rockn' and really really makes U feel the music, keeps you wanting more and just keep rolling along on this magical music journey! LA GUNS just keeps giving us great music! Please do yourself a favor and purchase this magnificient cd! ENJOY! Miss Kelly

Released to almost no fanfare at all during the shoegazing years this album sounds like a great band that for some reason is having trouble getting the show out of second gear. Tracii Guns and Phil Lewis have a certain chemistry that at worst usually scored them a certain sleaze rock charm and their use of simple song structures, a sort of everyman party metal schtick, meant they connected to the inner dufus of their listeners. But on this album it just didn't seem to be clicking, perhaps showing via recorded wares that the chemistry between them had run it's course.

As to the album itself there are some curios on hand. Firstly it sounds quite clean and clear and not dour at all like their previous Hollywood Vampires. There is a reprise of one of the best songs off that album, Crystal Eyes. Which indicates to me that the band figured they had a hit on their hands and should give the thing a second shot. Exactly what Europe did with their track Open Your Heart by putting it on Wings of Tomorrow and Out Of This World.

A number of the rockers on this album feel much like 80's music updated with 90's production values and that's a good thing. But what is interesting is that some of the sentiments here also sound harsher, more metal. The delivery of Face Down, for instance, should certainly interest fans who grew up on Sex Action way back when. The touch of maudlin that the band first really exhibited on Hollywood Vampires is continued in tunes such as Long Time Dead.

I guess with the parting of ways between Guns and Lewis this could be considered somewhat of a last hurrah. If so it's not the bands best album. But it does contain elements of their different moods and show them capable of adding some new aspects to their music and so is a valid enough purchase for any hardcore LA Guns fan from the 80's who gave up the faith.

I love this album!
Great songs, good production, great voice and guitars.
Awesome!!!
Highlights: Long Time Dead, Face Down, Kiss of Death, Why Ain't I Bleeding, Killing Machine and Crystal Eyes.

The members of LAG for this Album (1994, Universal) were:
Phil Lewis V
Tracii Guns G
Mick Cripps G/K
Kelly Nickels B
Michael Gershmina "bones" D

Producer Jim Wirt (Incubus producer!)