review: GUNS N' ROSES: USE YOUR ILLUSIONS (CLASSIC ALBUM UNDER REVIEW)

Music Video Distributors  //  Buy from Amazon.com This DVD is a documentary film about the Use Your Illusion double set - the people who made them, the process of making of them, the tour that surrounded them and, most crucially, the awesome music they contained. It features rare footage of the band from that time, including exclusive backstage film rarely seen before; lengthy interviews from musicians and vocalists who were there working on the records and the tour; comment from friends of the group and scenesters from the L.A. rock underground; insight and critique from biographers, journalists and DJs who championed Guns N' Roses throughout their career, and many other notable contributors. Also includes seldom seen photographs, location shots, news footage and much more besides. Released simultaneously in September 1991, the brace of albums making up the Use Your Illusion double set made history before most fans had heard a note - never before (and never since) had any band or artist occupied the billboard chart positions one and two in the same week. Guns N' Roses has long been one of my favorite bands, and while I patiently wait for the Holy Grail of rock albums, "Chinese Democracy," to drop and introduce my ears to the 3rd incarnation of the mighty GNR, I find myself going back and listening to the powerful duo of the "Use Your Illusion" albums. I still recall the very day I bought them both, going to the music store at lunch while in high school, and being utterly blown away when I got listened to them at home that night. 16+ years later, I'm still impressed, and still find new nuances I never appreciated before (despite probably 200-300 listens since they first came out.) In the style of other "classic albums under review," this look back at these two chart-topping albums doesn't include any (direct) participation of the band members, but does manage to tell the tale in fine form. Mixing interviews with rare band footage, photos and news clips, the end result is a documentary that manages to accurately convey both the creative impact this album had, as well as the impact on the ears of the fans and those in the industry. Video Presented in a 4:3 fullscreen aspect ratio, the quality of the DVD is a mash-up of grainy, handheld cameras and more professionally-shot interviews. However, it's all very watchable, and perfect given the subject matter. Audio A solid Dolby 5.1 surround mix delivers the sonic goodness in fine form. Extras GNR gaming feature "The Pre-Guns Collectives" rare footage insider comments on the bands that predated GNR contributor biographies Closing Thoughts Entertaining, informative look at the world's most dangerous band at their best + decent extras = solid documentary on a truly classic pair of albums