G N' R Lies

Infobox Album
Name = G N' R Lies
Type = album
Artist = Guns N' Roses


Released = November 29, 1988 (U.S.)
December 17, 1988 (UK)
Recorded = Rumbo Studios, Take One Studio, Image Studio
Genre = Hard rock
Length = 33:31
Label = Geffen
Producer = Guns N' Roses, Mike Clink
Reviews =
*Allmusic rating|3.5|5 [http://www.allmusic.com/cg/amg.dll?p=amg&sql=10:zx2m96ho3ep1 link]
*Review-Christgau|E|album=4905
*"Rolling Stone" rating|4|5 [http://www.rollingstone.com/artists/gunsnroses/albums/album/260678/review/6067426/g_n_r_lies link]
Last album = "Appetite for Destruction"
(1987)
This album = "G N' R Lies"
(1988)
Next album = "Use Your Illusion I"
(1991)

"G N' R Lies" is the second album by the hard rock band Guns N' Roses in 1988 (see 1988 in music). According to the Recording Industry Association of America, it has sold 5 million copies in the United States and about 12 million copies worldwide to date. [ [http://www.riaa.com/gp/bestsellers/topalbums.asp http://www.riaa.com/gp/bestsellers/topalbums.asp] , Recording Industry Association of America's bestseller's list.]

Its first four songs consist of the previously released EP "Live ?!*@ Like a Suicide".

The last four songs were recorded with a strong acoustic guitar influence. They were written and recorded in one studio session (with the exception of "You're Crazy", which appeared in an alternate version on "Appetite for Destruction"), which producer Mike Clink called "one of those magical rock and roll history moments". A Duff sung track "Cornchucker" was dropped from the album, reportedly for excessive profanity.

In later interviews, Axl Rose stated that while he loved how the band sounded on the last four songs, he hated the sound of his voice. Rose recalled that his voice was husky and scratchy from the band's lengthy touring at the time, and if he could he would've re-recorded his vocal tracks in a separate session.

The cover is a parody of tabloid newspapers as are the liner notes. The LP cover art underwent several minor modifications when the title was released on CD. First, in the bottom left corner reading "LIES LIES LIES" originally read "Wife-beating has been around for 10,000 years." Second, instead of "Elephant gives birth to midget", the original headline reads, "Ladies, welcome to the Dark Ages." Third, many copies of the original LP release contained an uncensored picture of model on the inner LP sleeve. [Guns N' Roses, "G N' R Lies". Geffen Records, GHS 24198; 1988.]

"You're Crazy" had been released previously on the band's debut album, "Appetite for Destruction" and was now recorded as written originally. "Mama Kin" is an Aerosmith cover, originally recorded on their 1973 debut album. "Nice Boys" is a Rose Tattoo cover.

During live performances the band would play "Patience" using electric guitars, most notably in Rock in Rio in 1991 which produced the widely used picture of Axl Rose and Slash back-to-back, occurring at the end of the song. "Used to Love Her" would also be performed live with electric guitars.

Track listing

#"Reckless Life" (Axl Rose, Izzy Stradlin, Chris Weber, Slash) – 3:20
#"Nice Boys" (Rose Tattoo) – 3:03
#"Move to the City" (Stradlin, Del James, Weber) – 3:42
#"Mama Kin" (Steven Tyler) – 3:57
#"Patience" (Stradlin) – 5:56
#"Used to Love Her" (Stradlin, Rose) – 3:13
#"You're Crazy" (Axl Rose, Slash, Stradlin) – 4:10
#"One in a Million" (Rose) – 6:10

Personnel

*Axl Rose – lead vocals
*Slash – lead guitar, acoustic guitar
*Izzy Stradlin – rhythm guitar, acoustic guitar, backing vocals
*Duff McKagan – bass guitar, backing vocals
*Steven Adler – drums, percussion

References