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24 of 26 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars
A dark, difficult success, August 24, 1999
By A Customer
Comprised of a previously released EP and 4 new acoustic tracks, Lies succeeded in recasting GN'R into a band with more depth (and, unfortunately, venom) than any other L.A. group. The first half, the "live" tracks, (actually studio with overdubbed crowd noises) is a nice snapshot of the band's embryonic period but nothing more-they hadn't yet developed their memorable style. The 4 acoustic songs are the heart of the record-the lovely, generous "Patience" sets a gentle mood, but the rest of the record is unremittingly dark. "Used to Love Her" is simply a cruel (and old) joke set to a countryfied shuffle. A smouldering "You're Crazy" is superior to the version on "Appetite", displaying the paranoia and selfishness of the song more successfully. But it's the scabrous "One In a Million" that defines this album. Murky and ominous, it presents a picture of a character (who may or may not be Axl) as he came to the big city and confronted his hatred of others and, ultimately, himself. Even more disturbingly, the song ends without a resolution-the hate remains, the demons fought to a draw, no winners. Like the rest of the album, it's an exorcism of raw emotion. Not easy to listen to, but extraordinarily powerful. It showed no other band could have shaped such ugly dramas into such compelling music.
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34 of 41 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars
Very interesting..., March 17, 2003
I am a huge fan of Guns N'Roses (see my slobbering review of "Appetite for Destruction") and I regret the fact that they imploded just as they had reached their creative peak. Here's a nice little snapshop of an L.A. hair metal band (with a 'tude) coming up through the ranks, kicking butt and taking names as they went along. "Reckless Life", like the entire A side (I still think of this as a cassette tape) was first released on the unattainable "Live! Like a Suicide EP". The song just tears your nuts out. There's some classic Axl wailing and a classic Slash guitar solo. "Nice Boys" is a Rose Tattoo cover and it's not bad. Kind of rough around the edges. "Move to the City" is another cover but I can't remember who wrote the original. "Mama Kin" is also a decent cover of an Aerosmith classic. This is pretty standard stuff - one original song and 3 covers. But then we get to the B side. There's some budding song-writing talent here with the gentle "Patience", with it's whistling intro and acoustic guitars. "Used to Love Her" is a hilarious country-ish song about killing and burying your girlfriend in the backyard. "You're Crazy" would end up on the "Appetite for Destruction" album, amped and speeded up. But this version is superior. "One in a Million" is a controversial song but perhaps one of the Gunners best slow songs. In my opinion, these are the only Guns albums you need to own. "Appetite for Destruction" "Lies"
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4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Why 100 Bucks ?, March 17, 2007
I am writing this message , for the people who might have clicked on a "GN'R LIES" , that might have a very high price next to it.It could be the price is for the limited MFSL 24 K Gold Ultra Disc/original Master Recording.If you are a GN'R obsessed fan , that might be for you , but if you are just looking for the regular CD , you can find much cheaper here at Amazon on another GN'R LIES icon , if you keep looking!
As for the songs , I am an avid fan , but looking at a perspective , of what I thought of "LIES" when I first heard it , I was not impressed with the "Live Like a Suicide" stuff (Mamakin,Reckless Life,etc)at first , but it eventually grew on me , and now I would recommend to any fan.I love the acoustic stuff on here the best , and even though the lyrics might cross the line with some people , the overall songs are a great listen.I like "Used to Love Her" , "One in a Million" along with "Patience" as well.Great sing alongs,that give you great escape.
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