Monday, July 25, 2016

192 / 193 -- Guns ‘n Roses / Alice in Chains -- Sunday, June 26, 2016 -- Fedex Field -- Landover, MD

I was excited for this show it was the first show that I was able to join various Rock Club families at…without any pressure. There was no chance of a sound debacle like Givers, and there was no expectation to organize anything or make a comeback like Muse. I just met up with families and had fun.

Here’s a live iPhone breakdown of the show:

Alice in Chains

--- Ha, the bands’ ‘colorful’ language begins immediately.  Two times in the first two minutes.  As a Giants fan, I appreciated that it was at least directed at the Philadelphia Eagles…  

--- “Them Bones,” “Rooster,” “Man in the Box,” and “Would” all sound fine.  If I had prepped more, or if they weren’t saddled with Opening Band status, I might be connecting more.  As is, I’m left a bit cold.    

Grade: B-




Guns 'n Roses

--- Guns ‘n Roses continues the verbal fireworks Alice in Chains started… Actual fireworks go off during “It’s So Easy” a minute later!

--- “Mr. Brownstone” features intense Axl hand action, a mini solo, and this quote: “It's a beautiful night.  And you make it so much better.”  For a man known to get in physical fights with fans, this was encouraging.

--- Just found out that AR didn't get any of the rock interest from his parents – that he developed it totally on his own the last two years!  Genuinely surprised.  
--- Impressed to find out that AR’s brother’s favorite movie is 2001.  This kind of wisdom beyond his years makes me consider starting a Film Club when he arrives at Frost…

--- “Welcome to the Jungle”!!!!!  So many varied parts!  It’s enhanced by the green race unfolding on screen, and memories of CS’ unforgettable rendition in class.  Weeeeeee.  

--- “Estranged.”  Decent breather so the uptempo songs sound better.

--- Heh, songs like......“Live and Let Die.”  Actually, there’s a good balance of tempos.  “We've got quite a bit of real estate up here.”  Yeah, you do.

--- “You Could Be Mine” from Terminator 2 brings out fire -- and the crowd.  Man, Axl's pouring everything into the vocals.

--- “This I Love” -- whoa, falsetto.  Phantom of the (Rock) Opera?  Outstanding Slash solo / pacing!!  Surprise champ of the night.

--- “Civil War”’s got some smoke -- and everyone singing along.  (Note: If you are reading this review, and have somehow not seen Captain America: Civil War, you should correct that.  Netflix it.  In my mind, it's tied with Avengers for the best Marvel movie ever.)

--- “Coma” fits the title – and takes forever to end...

--- How about they talk to the crowd?  More than one band member's name every ten minutes... Woo for Slash though.

--- Yay, back to Slash flamenco for five minutes.  Brilliant slow-play intro to “Sweet Child”!!!

--- Something useless.

--- “Out To Get Me”!  Nice “innocent” part.  Lol at profane crowd pleaser at the end.

--- “November Rain”!!!!  Who knew they had this side to them?  The literal cool breeze for most of the song and the literal fire at the end made it even better.

--- Ooh, “Knockin' on Heaven's Door” -- nice.  Heh, did Slash always have a double guitar? Some girl says, “This is dope.”  Heh, at Axl's old-guy intonation.  Who knew a Bob Dylan song could be a call-and-response?  Nice!

--- “Night Train” is a solid screecher.  

--- “Patience” is smooooth.  Heh, the lights they shine SO BRIGHT -- nice.

--- A cover of The Who's “The Seeker,” “Paradise City,” and that’s a wrap.  Deeper lyrics would have taken it to the next level, but solid entertainment nonetheless.

Grade: B+ / A-

 

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