Here's a problem I have with radio and citing charts. Since D brought it up, I haven't once heard that Slash song on the radio. Nor did I hear Better. CD I heard a ton.

The rock radio charts reflect a very small number of stations, stations that fit a certain format, etc. that the majority of the general public never touch, let alone have a preset for.

Making it on the rock charts really isn't anything to crow about. Apparently, AIC had two big hits off their CD, which I own. I've never heard them on the radio. Not once.

So, color me ambivalent.

monkeychow wrote:

I don't see Axl as lazy or procrastinating....I think it's just a tough thing to do...like to write songs as good as the ones he writes....it's a gift...but not necessarily something he can do on command or on timeframes that suit the normal album cycle etc.

He can't do it because he doesn't have the same formula he needs to be really successful.  I'm not saying the new guys are bad musicians, but not one of them is well known for their writing - or really anything for that matter.  They may be good to very good musicians, but none of them bring anything special to the table.  People on the street couldn't name a single person in GnR currently - not even Tommy.  They can play the great music that's already there, but just don't have the creative talent to help Axl make new great music...and contrary to some people's opinion, Axl didn't make any of the original band's songs what they were by himself.

Guns n Roses was great because Axl wrote (for the most part) good/great lyrics with and song structures.  Izzy took that and wrote riffs that were straight up rock n roll and fit the song structure perfectly, Slash wrote amazing solos and played rhythm parts that complimented what Izzy was doing perfectly, and Duff added melodic bass lines that really complimented the music.  They all complimented the music.  That is the biggest thing that I think is missing from the new band.  I'm not blaming anybody for it, but the fit just isn't there for whatever reason.  I can't think of any song not named My World that didn't fit together musically.  Even TSI was a good album musically because they made the songs their own and made them fit the GnR sound.

The ONLY song from the new band that came close to fitting together was TWAT.  Even Robin's crappy playing over the verses fits the song, and BHs solo is amazing - not just because it is fast playing, but it really fits the song musically and in feel.  The rest of the album just seems forced to me - trying to fit the round peg into the square hole.  That doesn't mean people can't like it, but it just isn't special like GnR used to be.

This is just my opinion.  Axl can't do it all himself and nobody inspires him.  Axl used to admire Slash (and maybe still does in some ways).  Slash inspired him to greatness (and Axl inspired Slash to greatness).