Perusing the GNR Illusion, Parts I and II : OK, Axl might be a little excessive--but the genuine artistry shines through in two new ‘making-of’ videos

“MAKIN’ F@*!ING VIDEOS, PART I and II”

Guns N’ Roses

Geffen Home Video

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Critics may disagree about Axl Rose, but Beavis and Butt-head have it right: “Axl’s cool.” That’s because in the copycat world of hard rock, he’s someone who always does exactly what he wants. Last year’s video for “November Rain” was a sprawling, unwieldy affair, but the independence and defiance in that very excessiveness made it one of the year’s most memorable videos. The band now extends that independence in these two hourlong making-of-the-video tapes.

Part I covers the making of “Don’t Cry,” and Part II focuses on “November Rain.” What makes GNR’s work special is that Rose is blessed with genuine artistic impulses. In the moments this package steps beyond obligatory band interviews and high jinks, the tapes offer a surprisingly revealing glimpse of those impulses. (The two parts are sold separately for $14.98 each).

Items in this periodic survey of pop-related books, videocassettes and laser discs are rated on a scale of one star (poor) to five (classic).