Izzy Stradlin was always the most gifted member of
Guns N' Roses, able to put a modern spin on the classic rock of
Chuck Berry,
the Stones, and
the Faces, as well as
the New York Dolls and
Sex Pistols.
Axl may have had the angst and
Slash may have had the chops, but
Izzy had the smarts and the heart. On his debut album, the traditional elements that had always formed the backbone of
Stradlin's music with
Guns N' Roses comes to the forefront -- it's
Stones and
Faces all the way, but it is done well.
Izzy Stradlin & the Ju Ju Hounds is terrific only half of the time, which is good enough for a debut album. ~ Stephen Thomas Erlewine