What makes Man in the Moon by L.A. Guns notable?

'Man in the Moon' was notable for its return to the band's roots in glam metal, receiving positive reviews that praised its cohesive sound. It revitalized the band's presence in the hard rock scene, contributing to a resurgence of interest in classic glam and sleaze rock during the early 2000s. Released on April 24, 2001, 'Man in the Moon' marked L.A. Guns' sixth studio album and their first since reuniting with founding members Tracii Guns and Phil Lewis. The album came at a time when the band sought to rejuvenate their sound, following a series of lineup changes and fluctuating commercial success throughout the late '90s.

Who is Man in the Moon for?

Man in the Moon works well if you're into steady mid-tempo reflective moments, introspective lyrics with grit and an anthemic sing-along vibe.

How many songs are on Man in the Moon?

Man in the Moon has 10 tracks, running approximately 44 minutes.

Man in the Moon

L.A. Guns · 2001

44 min · 10 tracks · hard rock

Sleek hard rock riffs intertwine with glam-infused melodies, creating anthemic choruses that evoke classic '80s vibes.

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Top tracks — play these first

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Beautiful — This track showcases a balance of vulnerability and power, with emotive lyrics set against catchy hooks that highlight L.A. Guns' signature style.
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Spider's Web — With its driving rhythm and haunting lyrics, this track exemplifies the darker themes present on the album while maintaining a strong melodic sensibility.
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Don't Call Me Crazy — The length and complexity of this track allow it to explore various musical textures, making it a standout example of the band's evolution.

Elevation

Our rating, out of 100 — and why.

AI-generated from five scored dimensions. An opinion, not a measurement.

46 /100

Foothills

Higher than 10% of albums we've rated

The album effectively blends glam rock elements with hard rock, though it doesn't significantly innovate within its genre.

What we noticed

The album opens with a title track that features a soaring chorus and layered guitar harmonies, setting a high-energy tone.
Several tracks incorporate call-and-response vocals, enhancing the anthemic quality of the choruses.
The last three tracks slow down the tempo, creating a contrast with the earlier high-energy songs and allowing for a more reflective mood.

Composition 25% of the score: 7/10
Craft 20% of the score: 6/10
Durability 25% of the score: 5/10
Distinctiveness 18% of the score: 5/10
Sequencing 12% of the score: 6/10

Influence 2/10

Little footprint beyond its audience. Reported but not counted — how far a record travelled describes its reception rather than the record, and a newer release has had less time to travel than an older one.

Is this for you?

Good fit if you like

steady mid-tempo reflective moments
introspective lyrics with grit
an anthemic sing-along vibe
solid background for focused tasks

Maybe skip if you

seekers of instant gratification
prefer short standalone tracks

Where this album fits

Career context: Released on April 24, 2001, 'Man in the Moon' marked L.A. Guns' sixth studio album and their first since reuniting with founding members Tracii Guns and Phil Lewis. The album came at a time when the band sought to rejuvenate their sound, following a series of lineup changes and fluctuating commercial success throughout the late '90s.
Stylistic neighbors: Faster Pussycat· Poison· Skid Row