The Spaghetti Incident? by Guns N' Roses (CD, Nov-1993, Geffen Goldline)

"The Spaghetti Incident?" is the fifth album by Guns N' Roses. The album is unique for the band, consisting entirely of cover versions, mostly of punk and glam rock songs of the late 1970s and early 1980s. Many of the tracks were recorded with original GN´R guitarist Izzy Stradlin during the Use Your Illusion I and II sessions. Those tracks were previously intended to be included in a combined "Use Your Illusion" albums. Launched on November 23 of 1993.

In 1992, the band prepared to release the leftover cover tracks as an EP, with then GN´R guitarist Gilby Clarke replacing Stradlin's guitar tracks. They later decided on making the album a full release and recorded several more tracks for it. Though some tracks did not make it to this album either. Bassist Duff McKagan sings on many of the album's tracks. To date, it is the last full-length studio album released by Guns N' Roses. The album did not match the success of the Illusion albums and tension increased within the band.

The meaning of the album's title was explained by drummer Matt Sorum in a 1994 interview with Much Music and confirmed by Slash in his autobiography, Slash. The title is a reference to a food-fight between Axl Rose and Steven Adler, involving spaghetti. Much was made of this food fight during Adler's resolution lawsuit with the band; and Adler's attorney referred to it as "The Spaghetti Incident".

The album has 12 tracks plus one Hidden track. It starts with it´s third single "Since I Don´t Have You", a beautiful ballad and which has a video on GN´R "Welcome to the Videos". In Colombia reached No.1 and at the end of 1994, Topped at No.8 in one Radio Station. The song is Originally from: The Skyliners (1958). Followed by the 1976 "New Rose" from The Damned, First punk band in record, enter hit lists and do a USA tour.

The 1980 "Down On The Farm" song from The UK Subs, one of the most popular and constant speed rock bands in England. Their singer Charlie Harper was known as the "Peter Pan of Rock" by it´s short age. The 1974 "Human Being" from The New York Dolls, marked Arrogance, heavy makeup and wildly confused sexuality as their characteristics. Their Guitarist Johnny Thunders, one of GN´R Bassist Duff McKagan idols.

The 1973 "Raw Power" from Iggy and The Stooges. Iggy Pop is widely acknowledged as the Father of punk, turn on the volume, stage-dived, and stoked rebellion. The 1978 "Ain´t It Fun" from The Dead Boys, the sarcastic ballad was the first single from the Spaghetti album it was launched on 26 of October 1993 and reached No.8 on Billboard Rock lists. The band was considered as the counterpart to England´s The Damned. Hanoi Rocks frontman (and Axl Rose's idol) Michael Monroe appears on "Ain't It Fun" as a guest vocalist.

"Buick Makane" is a combined two song from 1972 "Buick Makane" from the T.Rex and from 1989 "Big Dumb Sex" from "Soundgarden". T. Rex was a carnivorous monster of a band. It´s Guitarist Marc Bolan died in a car crash. Soundgarden was the Seattle band which blew down the sonic walls and set in motion the music, fashion, and lifestyle of an entire generation.

I bought two, one for my brother and another for me. I also bought the rest of GNR albums, so check out more review, and continuing story of this Band. This CD is A MUST HAVE for all GN´R fans and collector as well, not only because is a full album, but because is a tribute to their favorite bands.

Thanks.

In the early 90's the Seattle grunge sound was EVERYWHERE. Heavy metal as a form of music was making it's graceful exit stage left as Punk, Disco, Easy Listening, Psychedelic, Acid Rock, Rock-a-billy and Doo-wop had before it. Metallica had cut their hair, Mötley Crüe had settled into resting on their laurels, marrying models and getting fat, but Guns and Roses had elected to put forth one last valiant effort in the name of heavy metal that effort was The Spaghetti Incident?
Guns and Roses grew more controversial with each album. With Appetite for Destruction they offended many women's groups with what many considered horrifically violent and misogynistic lyrics. On their Lies EP the offended police officers, blacks (even though lead guitarist's Slash is half black) immigrants, homosexuals, religious types, "Small Town White boys trying to make ends meet" and EVEN RACIST. The negative press made the EP go platinum.
With the release of Use Your Illusion 1 & 2 Guns and Roses could have gone out on top with a brilliant effort that would and should have been heavy metal's swan song...but unfortunately...they didn't. The Spaghetti Incident is 12 forgettable tracks that make it apparent that Izzy Stradlin had left the band during the recording of the Use Your Illusion albums and Axl Rose's ego was a dead rat floating in the creative punch that was the band. There isn't a single track on the album WORTH mentioning. The closest to a single on the album was the cover of "Hair of the Dog". This album proved to be Guns N' Roses LAST album before Axl went to prison (for spousal battery not THIS ABYSMAL album) and every other member of the group elected to "sell" Axl the rights to the name "Guns N' Roses". In short this album would make an excellent gag gift for the true heavy metal aficionado, a coaster for the guest who keeps ruining your tables or perhaps a great skeet target.
It's the type of album that should be played as a form of torture to suspected terrorists. While listening to it in my ex-girlfriend's third floor apartment I was tempted to leap from her balcony to escape this CD rather than traveling the 5 feet between me and her stereo that would have allowed me to have simply ejected it. It made me want to run screaming into the night weeping in dispair. An album not worthy of purchase, listening to or even glancing at in a CD bargain bin. If you see a copy of this CD in a garage sale...AVERT YOUR GAZE!

I recently purchased this album and really heard it through for the first time the other day. This album never really took off like their prior albums plus it being an album of remixes. I suppose this is why I never listened to it until now. One time through the song that really sticks out to me is 'Ain't It Fun' by the Deadboys. Really powerful song and Axl's vocals makes it that much better. Other highlights are 'New Rose', 'Down on the Farm', 'Human Being', 'You Can't Put Your Arms Around a Memory' and of course 'Hair of the Dog'. Who hasn't done a remix of this song, then again why not it kicks ass no matter who is playing. This is an average Gn'R release but a great album by other standards.

Hope this helps.

This record came out at the wrong time. Grunge was in full swing, so the public really couldn't have cared less about an arena rock band doing classic punk and hard rock covers. That's a shame though, because this is a really good disc.

If you really, really like Guns N' Roses, this will be an alright CD at best.
It's not quite as good as their earlier CDs, but that's with most music.
I suggest only getting it, if you are trying to be loyal to the band or just want to check out some of their "newer" music.