Checkered Past is the thirteenth studio album by American hard rock band L.A. Guns, released on November 12, 2021, through Frontiers Records.
| Checkered Past | ||||
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| Studio album by | ||||
| Released | November 12, 2021 | |||
| Recorded | 2020–2021 | |||
| Studio | Remote locations | |||
| Genre | Hard rock, sleaze metal | |||
| Length | 44:52 | |||
| Label | Frontiers | |||
| Producer | Tracii Guns | |||
| L.A. Guns chronology | ||||
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| Singles from Checkered Past | ||||
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Background and recording
editCheckered Past was written and recorded during the COVID-19 pandemic. Because of travel restrictions and lockdowns, the band members could not record together in a single studio. Instead, guitarist Tracii Guns tracked his guitar parts in Denmark, while vocalist Phil Lewis recorded his vocals in Las Vegas, with other band members tracking their respective instruments remotely.[1]
The album marks the third consecutive studio release featuring the reunited classic lineup of Guns and Lewis, following The Missing Peace (2017) and The Devil You Know (2019). Tracii Guns described the record as a natural progression of their reunited chemistry, noting that the album splits into a heavier, dark side and a more melodic, classic blues-rock side.[2]
In May 2020, L.A. Guns released a new single called, "Let You Down". The track was written and recorded during the COVID-19 quarantine across different continents while the band was in the midst of working on its next studio album. The song was released early as a standalone single due to how much the band loved the haunting ballad. Vocalist Phil Lewis told MetalTalk that "Let You Down" is a deep haunted work and words from a tormented soul. Under normal circumstances, it would have been recorded in a more traditional way, but somehow the isolation adds to the atmosphere of this very cool song.[3]
The album was officially announced alongside the release of its lead single, "Knock Me Down", in August 2021.[4] Two additional singles, "Cannonball" and "Get Along", were released prior to the full album launch on November 12, 2021, through Frontiers Records.[2]
Critical reception
edit| Review scores | |
|---|---|
| Source | Rating |
| Blues Rock Review |   [5] |
| Dangerdog Music Review |  [6] |
| Metal Storm | 5.8/10[7] |
| The Rockpit | Positive[1] |
Checkered Past received generally positive reviews from music critics. Writing for The Rockpit, Ben Creagh stated that of the three albums released since the band's core reunion, "Checkered Past is the one that really nails it for me," praising its mix of classic rock swagger, bluesy crawls, and punk-infused energy.[1] Bob Donenfeld of Blues Rock Review highlighted the chemistry of the band, writing that "L.A. Guns aren't trying to do anything new" but rather excels at capturing the exact signature sound their fans expect. Craig Hartranft of Dangerdog Music Review commended vocalist Phil Lewis for maintaining a balance between "hard rock gusto and punk nastiness," concluding that the record is a "terrific album of the band's signature and consistent melodic hard rock". Conversely, Metal Storm provided a more tempered, mixed assessment, rating it a 5.8 out of 10.
Track listing
edit| No. | Title | Length |
|---|---|---|
| 1. | "Cannonball" | 3:48 |
| 2. | "Bad Luck Charm" | 3:45 |
| 3. | "Living Right Now" | 4:06 |
| 4. | "Get Along" | 3:10 |
| 5. | "If It's Over Now" | 4:40 |
| 6. | "Better Than You" | 4:03 |
| 7. | "Knock Me Down" | 4:21 |
| 8. | "Dog" | 3:34 |
| 9. | "Let You Down" | 4:18 |
| 10. | "That Ain't Why" | 3:42 |
| 11. | "Physical Itch" | 5:25 |
| Total length: | 44:52 | |
Personnel
editCredits adapted from the album's liner notes.[8]
L.A. Guns
- Phil Lewis – lead vocals
- Tracii Guns – lead guitar, production
- Ace Von Johnson – rhythm guitar, backing vocals
- Johnny Martin – bass, backing vocals
- Scot Coogan – drums, backing vocals
Production
- Tracii Guns – producer
- Adam Hamilton – mixing, mastering
- Mitch Shults – engineering assistance
References
edit- 1 2 3 Creagh, Ben (November 4, 2021). "ALBUM REVIEW: L.A. Guns – Checkered Past". The Rockpit. Retrieved July 12, 2026.
- 1 2 Irwin, Corey (August 12, 2021). "L.A. Guns Announce New Album, 'Checkered Past'". Ultimate Classic Rock. Retrieved July 12, 2026.
- ↑ "L.A. Guns Release New Song And Lyric Video". MetalTalk. May 7, 2021. Retrieved July 13, 2026.
- ↑ DiVita, Joe (August 16, 2021). "L.A. Guns Debut Snappy Song 'Knock Me Down' + Announce 'Checkered Past' Album". Loudwire. Retrieved July 12, 2026.
- ↑ Donenfeld, Bob (December 14, 2021). "L.A. Guns: Checkered Past Review". Blues Rock Review. Retrieved July 12, 2026.
- ↑ Hartranft, Craig (November 10, 2021). "New Music Review: L.A. Guns – Checkered Past". Dangerdog Music Review. Retrieved July 12, 2026.
- ↑ "L.A. Guns – Checkered Past review". Metal Storm. November 19, 2021. Retrieved July 12, 2026.
- ↑ L.A. Guns (2021). Checkered Past (liner notes). Frontiers Records. FR CD 1162.
External links
edit- Official website
- Checkered Past at MusicBrainz (list of releases)