Title: LA Guns - Cocked and Re-Loaded
Label: Deadline/Cleopatra

Track Listing:
1. Letting Go
2. Slap In The Face
3. Rip and Tear
4. Sleazy Come Easy Go
5. Never Enough
6. Malaria
7. The Ballad Of Jayne
8. Magdalaine
9. Give A Little
10. I'm Addicted
11. 17 Crash
12. Showdown (Riot On Sunset)
13. Wheels Of Fire
14. I Wanna Be Your Man
15. Rip and Tear (Spahn Ranch Remix)

As a big fan of LA Guns, I was really skeptical about this CD. LA Guns had released 4 great CDs in their careers between 1988-1994, and then things kind of went to hell when frontman Phil Lewis left the band. He finally came back in 1999 to make a new disc with the Gunners, and instead of getting a proper new studio CD, we got "Greatest Hits and Black Beauties," which was re-recorded versions of songs on the first album and a few crappy new tracks. That CD was horrible! It was obvious that they did it just for the paycheck, and the songs were recorded without much enthusiasm. 

However, that CD did have one positive effect: the original members remembered the good times and decided to stay together. They started touring, and low and behold they released another CD in late 2000, called "Cocked and Re-Loaded." I was tempted not to even buy this one, but I kept my faith in the band and picked it up.

Fortunately, this CD has a lot more heart than "Black Beauties." It has re-recorded versions of the songs that appeared on 1989's platinum Cocked and Loaded, and this time around the band thankfully decided that the fans deserve more. Produced by Gilby Clarke on a low budget, the songs can't match the polished-to-a-shine versions on the original album, but that can be a good thing. These songs are true to the originals, but a little rawer. Tracii once commented on how great "Cocked and Loaded" could have been, if he had his way and the mistakes were kept in. Well, "Cocked and Re-Loaded" proves he had a point.  At times I think Phil's vocals are turned a little too high, and since there was a budget, he doesn't sound as perfect as before, but for the most part everyone gives great performances.

Interesting things to mention is that the "throwaway" tracks of the original (in my mind they are "Malaria," "Magdalaine," and "Showdown") are somehow some of the more interesting songs on the album. However, Ballad Of Jayne (the fifth time this song has appeared on an LA Guns album) turns out dull, like the band couldn't stand the fact that they had to record it AGAIN.

All and all, this is worth the price of admission. If it was simply a re-issue of the original, I'd say pass on it and find it on ebay for $5, but these are newly recorded and very good versions of the original tracks. If you're a fan of the classic album like I am, it's great to hear a slightly different spin on the music.

When I listen to this disc, I constantly find myself cranking the volume higher and higher; a true sign of a classic album. LA Guns really should have tried to put a new song on the disc as well; they are recording and it would have been a nice way of reminding people that they won't be cashing in on their past forever. 

So, I try to look at this CD as an option to buy the second studio rehearsal of the reformed LA Guns (the first rehearsal would be "Greatest Hits and Black Beauties"). I saw them live last year in Detroit, and they were kicking ass. LA Guns is recording a new studio album, finally, through Spitfire Records, and I'm excited about it, despite what they made us fans go through. However, if I do find out their new album is going to be named "Hollywood Re-Vampires," well then I'm going to change my opinion considerably about the band.

Oh, and a final note to Deadline/Cleopatra: Please stop throwing in techno remixes of songs from your metal acts! They make your bands look silly. The fact that I actually find the remix on this CD interesting is beside the point. If you insist on doing it, please put it on some compilation disc instead. 

Ratings:
Cocked and Loaded (Original) : 4.50 of 5. Great songs, classic album, but slightly over-produced.

Cocked and Re-Loaded (Re-Recording) 4.50 of 5. Faithful recreations of classic songs, with a rawer vibe. Sometimes Phil doesn't sound as great as he did on the original. 

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