GUNS N’ ROSES”The Spaghetti Incident?” Geffen* *...

GUNS N’ ROSES

“The Spaghetti Incident?”

Geffen

* * *

Guns N’ Roses is a band with a multiple musical personality, which is why it plays the snarling “Welcome to the Jungle” and the tender “November Rain” with equal conviction.

Where in the past the group has leaned to the mainstream when covering outside material (Dylan’s “Knockin’ on Heaven’s Door” and McCartney’s “Live and Let Die”), the emphasis in this album of favorite songs is mostly on obscure punk and hard-rock tunes.

After an opening step into the mainstream (the Skyliners’ ‘50s teardrop ballad “Since I Don’t Have You”), the album begins its punk tribute, appropriately, with the Damned’s “New Rose,” the 1976 debut single by the first British punk band to tour America.

GNR’s wild ‘n’ woolly romp then proceeds through such highlights as the UK Subs’ feisty “Down on the Farm” (with Axl Rose employing his best Johnny Rotten accent), the Dead Boys’ mocking “Ain’t It Fun” (a duet with Michael Monroe, formerly of Hanoi Rocks) and Danzig’s “Attitude” (Duff McKagan taking over the lead vocal).

Despite the dangers of indulgence in these kinds of musical tips of the hat, GNR infuses “Incident?” with the warm, disarming spirit of musicians eager to share some lively personal rock passions.

New albums are rated on a scale of one star (poor) to four (excellent).