Guns n' Roses: Appetite For Democracy 3D (Bluray)

Honestly, I'm over it. Slash, Duff, Izzy and Adler are long gone, Guns n' Roses are now Axl and, well those other guys. Yes that might be harsh on Dizzy, Dozzy Dee Mick and Tich (that's right isn't it…?) and yet what Appetite For Democracy confirms is that Gn'R really are the cabaret act a residency in Las Vegas would suggest. Personally I've found watching and listening to this ultra-slick, easy on the eye and excellently put together 3D Bluray/2CD set an interesting experience, having witnessed Slash, featuring Myles Kennedy and The Conspirators playing a host of the same tracks live in Glasgow exactly one week before. And while it isn't really possible to compare an event I was at, to watching another on TV in my front room, the contrast between the sweaty energetic, passionate performance of Slash and the boys against Axl and his toys, costume changes, pole dancers, flying pianos and… couldn't be more stark.

However that doesn't make this all singing, all dancing visual extravaganza bad, just not really Guns n' Roses, or least what we remember them standing for. Add in more cover versions than strictly necessary; the expected "Live And Let Die" and "Knockin' On Heaven's Door", the less expected "No Quarter", the misguided "Another Brick In The Wall (Part 2)" (what were they thinking?) and surprisingly good "The Seeker". Then factor in guitarist Bumblefoot's solo track "Objectify" and bassist Tommy Stinson's solo number "Motivation" and seven out of twenty five tracks presented here are not actually Guns songs at all, which is a rather bizarre strike rate.

Credit where it's due though, "Mr Brownstone", "Rocket Queen" and "Nightrain" all work hard to find the spark that made them so vital in the first place, while "Paradise City" is inarguably a top notch show closer (Slash thought so too in Glasgow…). However the bizarrely fast and oddly (or badly) sung "Sweet Child O' Mine" is a car crash, while leading up to "Paradise City" the mid-paced "Used To Love Her" and laid back "Patience" is simply a poor choice of running order.

It's easy to knock Guns n' Roses as they are, and yet with a release which seems intent on highlighting the lack of chemistry between band members and spontaneity on stage, the skittles are all there to be scattered. Axl is still a captivating stage presence, yet the camera doesn't seem to love him here, the seven (yes, seven) other band members given more than ample lens time, as are the dancers (almost) and admittedly impressive playground-like stage set.

Many moons ago I bought tickets to see a post Use Your Illusion version of Guns n' Roses as they roamed Europe, as much so I could say I'd seen them in the flesh, than because I was desperate to witness the then current line-up. However unsurprisingly the tour was pulled… On this evidence I missed a hell of a show, just not one that would have stuck in the mind for long.

Track Listing
1. Chinese Democracy
2. Welcome To The Jungle
3. It's So Easy
4. Brownstone
5. Estranged
6. Rocket Queen
7. Live And Let Die
8. This I Love
9. Better
10. Motivation
11. Catcher In The Rye
12. Street Of Dreams
13. You Could Be Mine
14. Sweet Child O' Mine
15. Another Brick In The Wall (Part 2)
16. November Rain
17. Objectify
18. Don't Cry
19. Civil War
20. The Seeker
21. Knockin' On Heavens Door
22. Nighttrain
23. Used To Love Her
24. Patience
25. Paradise City

Added: December 13th 2014
Reviewer: Steven Reid
Score:
Related Link: Guns n' Roses Online
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Language: english

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