L.A.Guns
Hollywood Vampires

In the fluctuating career of the L.A. Guns (currently boasting ten albums), this third album is typical work from a band in crisis.

It has the peculiarity, in my case, of having its worst and undoubtedly disposable songs on the even-numbered tracks (e.g., 2, 4, and so on).

“Wild Obsession,” “Some Lie For Love,” or “Here It Comes” are predictable, uninspired pieces, truly weak. It begs the question: where is the “urban” fury that inflamed all, and I mean all, tracks of their self-titled debut?

To catch a glimpse of the echo from the past, one must wait for the seventh track, “Dirty Luv,” where Tracii Guns and companions recover some vigor through the use of tight riffs and verses with dark tones.

Nonetheless, the incendiary street rock seems to be just a distant memory, in favor of compelling ballads such as “Crystal Eyes,” the only gem of the album, but also forced attempts like the other single “It’s Over Now.”

Years later, “Hollywood Vampires” turns out to be the last “consistent” work of the L.A. Guns, as after its release began the internal controversies, separations, temporary reunions— in short, the oblivion of a true street rock band that experienced a short but intense spring at the end of the 80s, and gave it all (or almost) in the first two albums (the self-titled one and “Cooked And Loaded,” a must-have).