The Best Album of L.A. Guns: A Deep Dive into their Discography

L.A. Guns, the iconic glam metal band, has a rich history and a dedicated fan base. But which of their albums truly stands out among the rest? In this article, we will explore the best album by L.A. Guns, discussing their career and the standout songs and albums.

The Evolution of L.A. Guns

For those who remember glam metal in the 80s and early 90s, L.A. Guns was a key player in that scene. The band, known for their distinctive sound and aggressive guitar work, released several albums during their career. My personal experience with L.A. Guns began with their first three albums on cassette, which I gave each a chance to prove themselves.

However, my conclusion was that the first album often serves as the band's best work. It is there where the rawness and hunger shine through, making the songs more aggressive and less polished. This theory is based on the belief that a band's first album is often more genuine and reflects their initial passion and enthusiasm.

Challenging the Glam Metal Stereotype

The appeal of glam metal lies in its immaturity androgyny. However, when bands attempt to grow and step away from their initial style, the result often falls flat. Asking a band to transition from writing songs about groupies to emotionally meaningful love songs, as some bands attempted, can be counterproductive and inconsistent with their fan base's expectations.

Glam metal thrives when it sticks to the tropes it is known for. The more a band tries to grow and adapt, the more it risks alienating its fan base. This is why, in my opinion, the best L.A. Guns albums adhere to the style that made them famous.

Evaluating the Best L.A. Guns Albums

With this in mind, let's evaluate the best L.A. Guns album among their releases. There are a few standout choices:

Cocked and Loaded (1987): This album is often considered one of the band's best. The songwriting has improved over their self-titled debut, and it produced two MTV hits: “Never Enough” and “The Ballad of Jayne”. This tribute to Jayne Mansfield showcases the band's ability to blend their signature style with a tribute song. Hollywood Vampires (2016): A rebooted version of the album, Hollywood Vampires featured additional collaborations and brought a new energy to the band's classic style. Sex Action (1983): While I often get the urge to listen to this album, I usually stop before I finish a track. The guitar work is notable, but the overall feel of the album is more reminiscent of their first few releases. The opening songs in particular have a raw, aggressive vibe that can scratch the itch for a brief moment.

Among these, Cocked and Loaded stands out as the best-defined and most enjoyable album. It balances the band's signature grit with improved songwriting, making it a standout in the genre.

The Significance of Songwriting and Musical Growth

Songwriting plays a crucial role in a band's success. While Cocked and Loaded caters to their fans' expectations, it also shows a level of musical growth, particularly in the production and song structure. This balance is what sets the album apart and makes it the best choice among L.A. Guns' discography.

It's important to note that bands who attempt to evolve beyond their glam metal roots often find it difficult to maintain the same level of success. While the band deserves to be bigger, as many L.A. Guns fans hope, my personal music taste has long since moved past the craving for their first album's raw intensity.

In conclusion, while L.A. Guns has left a lasting impact on glam metal and continues to have a dedicated following, the best album to listen to may be the second album, Cocked and Loaded. This album represents a perfect blend of authenticity and growth, making it a true classic in the genre.