CFNN Reporter Dana Murray

When it comes to Guns ‘N’ Roses, Izzy Stradlin is often overlooked. He wasn’t as popular as the other members, but still made an impact on the band. He wrote classics such as “Patience” and “Think About You” and sang “14 Years.” However, what is most overlooked about him is his solo album after GNR: Izzy Stradlin and the Ju Ju Hounds.

It’s an interesting album. It combines The Rolling Stones with Bob Marley and Pearl Jam, which you wouldn’t expect from the former rhythm guitarist of Guns ‘N’ Roses. I knew it was going to be totally different from GNR based on some of the other songs I had heard from him, but I really didn’t think I’d be hearing reggae on this album. I also didn’t expect that to work as well as it does. It’s a really solid album and definitely deserves the same credit that Velvet Revolver got.

“Somebody Knockin’” is like a mix of The Rolling Stones and grunge. It’s very bluesy in nature but has some punk elements. Another thing I love about this song is the vocals. Izzy has a very gritty voice and it’s on full display. The riffs are amazing. It’s a great opening track.

“Pressure Drop” reminds me of early pop-punk, like the album Dude Ranch by Blink-182. The bass line is great. It has a really nice groove to it. At the end of the song, there’s a reggae section, which is pretty unique. The first time I heard it, it caught me completely off guard. 

“Time Gone By” is my favorite song from Izzy Stradlin. The beat reminds me of “Tusk” by Fleetwood Mac and the guitars are reminiscent of acoustic Led Zeppelin songs. It’s a more nostalgic song about the movement of time and memories. The slide guitar is a great addition to this song; it fits nicely. It stands out for its simplicity and the great vibes it has. 

“Shuffle It All” has a great intro. It’s understated and classy. The organ parts throughout the song are a really nice touch. It’s very soulful and gritty, which fits Izzy’s voice really well. It also has yet another amazing guitar riff. This song has some of my favorite lyrics Izzy has ever written. They’re nostalgic, which I love in a song. “Feel the motors winding on, there ain’t no news. If you see those old friends out there, tell them that I send my love” is a great line. I also love that he mentions Dr. Mario. 

“Bucket O’ Trouble” reminds me of ska, but with the occasional line from an organ. This song sounds a little like Guns ‘N’ Roses. The riff definitely could have been on Appetite For Destruction for its similarities to “Out Ta Get Me.” The attitude Izzy employs here also reminds me a bit of Axl Rose. It’s a great song to jam out to. 

“Train Tracks” starts out with a riff that reminds me of Lynyrd Skynyrd with a dash of The Stones mixed in. The ska influences from the previous songs on the album aren’t present here, which is a bit of a mixed bag for me. I liked the return to GNR-esque territory, but I liked the different avenue Izzy explored with ska as well. It’s a great song though; the beat and the riff is terrific. 

“How Will It Go” is a really nice acoustic song in a similar vein to “Time Gone By.”  I love how it shows the tender side of Izzy’s voice. This song also reminds me of the beach due to its laid back nature. I can see someone strumming along to it on a guitar while sitting in a hammock. The lyrics are reminiscent of the song “Will You Still Love Me Tomorrow.” Izzy is wondering how someone’s feelings will change or how different things will be after that person leaves. It’s a great track on this album.

“Cuttin’ the Rug” is another song that reminds me of GNR. The riff is very bluesy and shares qualities with Slash’s guitar tone. I also find it interesting that the main riff is similar to “Once Bitten Twice Shy” by Great White. The pairing of that bluesy side with the organ is perfect. It’s a great vibe that is found throughout the album and it works really well here. 

My favorite riff on the entire album is on “Take A Look At The Guy.” It’s bluesy, but with a punk edge to it. I interpret the lyrics as Izzy telling his old band mates to look at him after the band and see how he can do it without him. He isn’t the same guy playing rhythm guitar for the “most dangerous band in the world”; He’s sobered up and more mature. There’s a break about midway through the song that’s straight blues reminiscent of Jeff Beck. It’s one of my favorite solos of all time. This song is truly a gem on the album.

“Come On Now Inside” is a beautiful ballad. The piano works so well with the guitar and Izzy’s voice. The choir parts on the chorus are a great touch. It all combines to make a very soulful and moving piece of music. It’s a great way to informally close the album.

“Morning Tea” is a hidden track, or a song which isn’t listed on the album that’s tacked on to another song, which starts at 4:26 on the tenth track. It was listed as a separate track on the Japanese release of the CD, which is also how it appears on the digital releases. It’s an instrumental track that has some really cool parts. The beat is interesting. It sounds like a traditional tribal drum beat, which isn’t often used in rock. I can’t quite tell if there’s a guitar effect being used or a horn. Whatever it is, it sounds eerie, but in a good way.

This album is severely underrated. It wasn’t really a commercial success, but it’s charming. Despite disappearing from the public eye, Izzy deserves more recognition for his work. He’s not an artist to be disregarded as just a rhythm guitarist. He contributed greatly to GNR, and this album does some things I haven’t heard before. I’ve never heard a mix of blues, ska, and grunge like what is accomplished here. Whenever you need to broaden your horizons, this album is a great opportunity to do so.