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 Old-School Guns swan-song of covers April 7, 2006
Daniel Maltzman (Arlington, MA, USA)
35 out of 36 found this review helpful
November of 1993 saw the release of Guns N' Roses fifth album "The Spaghetti Incident?" It was recorded mostly alongside the "Use Your Illusion" (1991) albums and featured the lineup of Axl Rose, (vocals) Slash, (lead guitar) Duff McKagan, (bass) Dizzy Reed, (keyboards) and Matt Sorum (drums). Izzy Stradlin's (rhythm guitar) parts were removed and replaced by then current gunner Gilby Clarke.
Guns N' Roses swan song (at least of old-school GN'R) "The Spaghetti Incident?" seems to rub people the wrong way. It unfortunately has the reputation of being one of those albums that "suck." That's a shame because while "The Spaghetti Incident?" is not a timeless classic, it's a good album.
Why do people seem to have such a negative reaction to this album? I think quite simply there really isn't an audience for a GN'R punk-cover album. While there was definitely an element of punk to the GN'R sound (courtesy of bassist Duff McKagan) people, by and large, who like "Paradise City," "Sweet Child `O Mine" and "November Rain" aren't going to dig Iggy and the Stooges, T-Rex, the Dammed, Fear, The UK Subs, etc. Likewise, fans of punk-rock aren't going to like the slick production, added solos, and other perceived bombast of GN'R's interpretations.
While Guns N' Roses renditions on "The Spaghetti Incident?" are nowhere near as raw or unadulterated as the original songs, that's not really a problem. If you went into "The Spaghetti Incident?" expecting a straight-up punk album, I can see why you'd be disappointed. But rather than just paying homage to the artists that influenced them by doing a punk album note-for-note, GN'R gave the songs their own spin, their own interpretation. With "The Spaghetti Incident?" Guns N' Roses made these songs their own by adding their own signature. So while these songs aren't as raw as the originals, they have more melody, color, hooks, and are far more palatable than the originals. While I can appreciate the argument from punk fans that GN'R shouldn't have taken liberties on their beloved classics, I personally really like these renditions.
Highlights include the Damned's excellent "New Rose," The UK Subs "Down on the Farm," (in which Axl Rose puts on a brilliant and somewhat hysterical faux British accent) the Misfits "Attitude" and Steve Jones' "Black Leather." The album's big hit, the Skyliners' "Since I Don't Have You" is hauntingly morose, yet sublime in its rich melody and killer solos. The album is probably best known for the "hidden track," Charles Manson's "Look at your Game Girl," which is creepy with its bizarre lyrics and eerie sparseness. It should be noted that Manson himself received no royalties from sales of the album.
The timing, however, was really bad for this album. By the end of '93 grunge and alternative rock were all the rage. While Guns N' Roses still had an enormous fan base by the end of '93, the band was seen as outdated, and the backlash spawned by their conceptual videos and over-the-top personas and lifestyles was beginning to set in. While "The Spaghetti Incident?" was meant merely as a stop-gap to tide fans over until the next release, thirteen years later, the next release, the forever in-the-works "Chinese Democracy" still has not yet arrived. "The Spaghetti Incident?" left a bad taste in the public's mouth and temporally took GN'R's legacy down a notch, although with the passage of time the sour taste has all but disappeared.
While "The Spaghetti Incident?" will ultimately be just a footnote in the legacy of GN'R, it is still a good album that is somewhat underrated. If you are new to GN'R, by all means, check it out.
 One of the most underrated albums ever. March 16, 2005
5 out of 5 found this review helpful
The Spaghetti Incident by GN'r is one of the most underrated albums ever. It starts with the hit Since I Don't Have You. Then comes New Rose, which was surprisingly good. Down on the Farm sounds a bit like it is sung by a british guy. Human Being follows, and it is one of my favorites. Raw Power is good, and Ain't it Fun is the second hit on the album. Buick Makane is above average, and then is Hair of the Dog, my personal favorite on the album (this was also a hit, but not included on the Greatest Hits. Attitude is basically just the band singing the word attitude over and over, but it sounds good. Black Leather is great, and You Can't Put Your Arms Around A Memory is basically the Duff lover's dream. Some may see this as a bad album to end their career with, but what song would fit better than one called I Don't Care About You? At first it just seems like ranting, but then evolves into something a little more refined. Kinda like the band. No other song fits the Guns like this.
 Good but... April 2, 2002
26 out of 35 found this review helpful
...after Appetite and the Use Your Illusion albums we expect more than good from GnR. Not that the songs they chose to cover are bad, they're not. And it's not that I don't like covers: I love it when bands punk up/slow down/add their own twist to songs... but these versions are pretty similar to the originals. Not what you'd expect from GnR.I'm all for popular rock groups introducing their young fans to bands they might not hear or look into otherwise, but when a band with the power to write rock classics (such as Sweet Child and Paradise City) and original epics (like Estranged and Coma) compiles an entire album of cover songs -more to the point, AVERAGE cover songs- you can't help but feel a little let down.
It seems they've taken advantage of their popularity, cos I doubt any other bands would dare release a record like this. Overall it's a good, fun album... but compared to their previous offerings it's horrible. Best tracks are probably Black Leather (better than the original with its elevated guitar riffs, but not a patch on the Runaways' version); Ain't it Fun (though, much as I like Hanoi Rocks, was it really necessary to bring out Michael Monroe AGAIN? Despite the strength of both Hanoi and GnR his voice can really grate on the nerves); Buike MacKane/Big Dumb Sex; Hair of the Dog (Nazareth don't get enough credit y'know...); and the pretty little Charles Manson cover (a desperate attempt at controversy perhaps?)
But all are far too similar to the originals, and even these "best tracks" don't compare to the weaker songs on Appetite or UYI 1 &2. Since I Don't Have You and Down on the Farm are atrocities I won't even mention.
The other tracks are moderately good, but by no means great. On the whole, a worthwhile purchase if you're already a fan (especially if you're keen to look into which bands influenced them,) and not without a few good tracks and a certain punkish charm.
But if you're relatively new to GnR, STAY AWAY, cos it doesn't truly reflect their good musicianship or songwriting skills.
Guns N' Roses - 'The Spaghetti Incident' (Geffen) December 11, 2004
Mike Reed (USA)
3 out of 3 found this review helpful
When I first saw the track listing for this disc,I honestly thought it was an error.I mean come on,giant-sized ego Axl Rose doing an entire lp of other artist's songs?Okay,maybe it isn't all THAT far fetched.Actually,Axl and crew did a decent job on most of these remakes.I remember most of these tunes.I dug their versions of the New York Doll's "Human Being",the Stooges cover "Raw Power",T.Rex's Marc Bolan's "Buick MacKane",Nazareth's "Hair Of The Dog"(always thought Axl got some heavy influence from this band) and the UK Sub's "Down On The Farm"(nice accent).There were a few that didn't do much for me,like Danzig's "Attitude" and Steve Jone's(Sex Pistols guitarist)"Black Leather".Okay disc just the same.
Critics Are...Funny September 16, 2004
Me (USA)
3 out of 3 found this review helpful
TSI? is an amazing album. Every song is either good or great. Covers or not, Guns N' Roses did a tremendous job here. Nothing to complain about except the infamous "Duff song" (bassist.) Which is "You Can't Put Your Arms Around a Memory" where he does the vocals, plays bass, drums, everything and although a nice gesture towards Johnny Thunders (whom he tributes the song to at the beginning), the song is the worst on the album. The vocals make me cringe.
Most critics didn't give this album a chance...and it's a shame. Had there been some actual promotion, maybe the more reknown critics would have given this CD a chance.
Also, "Look at Your Game", while written by serial killer Charles Manson, is a blatant effort at provoking negative publicity, it's an incredible mellow song. It's a hidden track on this disc (number 12, after "I Don't Care About You", just wait for it to kick in.)
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