Paulblow's Full Review: Izzy Stradlin & The Ju Ju Hounds by Izzy Stradlin/...
I always thought Izzy Stradlin was the cool guy of Guns N Roses. He had that Johnny Thunders look down, you know? I could tell he was my kind of guy, so when I heard he had a new band and a solo album out, I was curious as to what it would sound like. I finally bought a used copy of the CD "Izzy Stradlin and the Ju Ju Hounds" years after it was released (1992). I was not disappointed...
This is rock'n'roll, plain and simple. Straight ahead, guitar boogie, rock'n'roll heavily influenced by the idols --Johnny Thunders and the Rolling Stones. This is not the sleazy, twisted hard rock GNR was famous for, no. This is good time rock and roll with elements from the '50's and the '70's --fender amps, slide guitar action, and even a Hammond organ that fits in nicely.
Izzy's back up band, the Ju Ju Hounds (what a cool name), are a group of fine musicians. Jimmy Ashhurst plays the bass, Charlie "Chalo" Quintana on the sticks, and Rick Richards plays the second guitar. There's a lot of awesome slide guitar throughout this album, played by Rick-- the best slide guitar I've heard this side of Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers.
I've read a few "professional" reviews of this CD that said Izzy can't sing. While not the best of rock singers, Izzy can carry a tune and stay in key... he actually sounds like a young Keith Richards, with a too-many-cigarettes raspiness that adds a nice edge. He doesn't try to get fancy, he just sings the words, and does an adequate job at it. His lyrics are nothing special - kind of forgettable actually- but this album isn't about deep, heavy lyrics, it's about the music, man.
While not a spectacular CD, this does contain some good songs. The highlights are "Somebody Knockin" (a good time rocker), "Shuffle it All" (nice melody, catchy verse), the straight ahead rocker "Train Tracks" (this is the one song that sounds like GNR), and "Take a Look at the Guy" (written by none other than Ronnie Wood, who also sang vocals on this track). Izzy also revisits his punk rock roots with his one punk tune "Pressure Drop", and pays homage to the '50's with "Cuttin' the Rug". This is indeed a nice collection of songs. The production on this album is nice and crisp sounding, and as an album it reminds me of the Rolling Stones "Exile on Main Street," which is one of the best compliments I can give a band.
Izzy knows what he's doing here. This is the music he loves --good time, straight ahead rock and roll-- no bloated egos or heavy drug trips here! My hat's off to Izzy for doing what he loves, and for not being in this biz just for the money. Why else do you think he dropped out of one of the biggest hard rock bands of the last decade?
If you're looking for a continuation of GNR, this ain't it! But if you want quality good time rock'n'roll ala the Stones, check it out.
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