As I get ready to clean out my colon for my cancer operation on Monday, I figured I would reduce my review music pile to none. I might not be able to muster a column next week, so the review CDs may pile up while I recuperate.

DVD Reviews

Guns n Roses: Use Your Illusion I & II

As the title suggests this is quite a painstaking analysis of the historic follow-up albums to GnRs classic Appetite for Destruction. It was a tall order to release two double-LPs at the same time. It had never been done before and it probably won't be done again any time soon.

You get an overview of the songs on here, interviews with those involved in the band, a basic history of the group, and a breakdown (and that is an accurate term) of the massive tour that accompanied the album. Usually I would say these kind of releases add nothing for the fan; however this is an exception and you will find yourself glued to this 85 minute documentary. I really enjoyed it.

CD Reviews

Estrum: s/t

One of the most impressive demos I have ever seen, to be honest. This lot know how to do presentation in extemis. It's a soft-back, gate-fold sleeve with all the right info and none of the rubbish you don't care about.  Three tracks of female-fronted melodic rock from this Texas lot are contained here. It's pretty polished for such a young band and you find yourself seeing them go big. The only criticism I have of the three tracks is that they might want to make more use of male vocals, either for backing/co-lead.

While Zena has a wonderful voice, it can be a bit overwhelming at times. The music cries out for a bit more male voice. The band certainly have all the right bits to make it large. Lets hope that someone important catches on quick. Check 'em out so you say you knew them way back when.

Scum of the Earth: Sleaze Freak

This is the second album from this lot. Packaged together with a warts and all CD with a few live tracks, this is sleaze rock done well. Rob Zombie's guitarist, Riggs, makes a good sub-Zombie material on here. It's similar, if not the same, but with all the right bits remaining. From the title track through the rest of 'em this is sleaze rock done with oodles of talent and lots of attitude.