Aussie it's strange how we vary, I think 'Scraped' is one of my favourites on the album - mostly cos of the vocals - I experience those high's and low's myself so I kinda "get it". 'Sorry' is more an aquired taste to me - I don't hate it - but I don't love it like everyone else on here seems to - I like pretty much the rest of the album more.

I also think maybe some of this album would be rating higher with fans if we hadn't heard so much of it. Like Maddy, TWAT and IRS are fantastic songs I think...it's just that we know them so well - i think people are being harsh with their reviews. Well that's my 2c anyway.

I guess we're all hardcores on here. But I think this album is really really solid. And being a slash fan i'd love to have pissed on it...but basicly...it may have taken him a lifetime...but Axl has come up with 14 more excellent songs to give to the world. I'm so happy about that.

I'd love to hear what an average person would think of Maddy.

So far i havn't played much of the album to my friends. My girlfriend listened to it and said it was 'listenable' - which from her is a huge compliment cos she only listens to accoustic folk music as a rule - mind you I was fucking her at the time so doing my absolute best to distract her LMAO

Yes...for fans of the old band it's interesting to listen to the "solo" works of others and think about what would have happened if they'd played on each other's later works.

I think all of "It's Five O'Clock Somewhere" from Snakepit would have been amazing with Axl.

In terms of slash playing on CD, well it depends...if he would be back as the sole" lead guitarist then you'd have a very different style of record. And much as I love Slash...if feel that would loose a lot of the shred feel which is kinda cool on some of these songs.

If we pretend he was back while keeping Bucket and Bumble and replacing someone like Robin then it would be pretty interesting. Songs I think would have benifited especially from his touch are "Street of Dreams", "There was a Time", "Catcher in the Rye" "Madagascar" "This I Love" and "Prostitute"

However that's all in dream land. And the reality for me is that CD is a great album despite the absence of Slash. While people want to bag axl for the delay a lot...i think a lot of that was finding worldclass musicans with chemestry to make products comparable in quality to the old stuff.

As massive as fan as I am of the old line up...i feel that it's taken him 17 years...but he may have done it. The new album is "different" but it's very good.

So i feel like it's a mixed victory for Axl. He's done it. He did the impossible and re-created something amazing after it was totally gutted, but it's taken him a lifetime to do so.

I'm not. I have the physcial CD sitting on my desk and I can't believe its actually happened. One thing I'm excited about is the idea of sharing all these songs that us crazies have known for years with the widerworld. Like i love the idea that songs like Better and Maddy and Street of Dreams are now known songs to people and not so underground.

Well...i just got my pre-order from my local store today.

Holy shit. I don't know what to say other than: Thank you Axl and co.

Sorry if this sounds dramatic...but I see this whole album as an amazing gift to the world and to music. "This I love" makes me want to cry!

After all the politics and the bullshit and the journey the band and the fans have had on this album...for me it's all been worthwhile. I honestly think it's genius.

I havn't heard the Ron version of the Rhiad solo yet because i'm holding out till release day now.

But i want to ask about the "Bucket Solo" in the antiquiet leak.....

How sure are we that it's bucket even? To my ears there are two distinct solos the first at 2.25 to 2.33 - then a faster shreddier guitar till 2.47.

It's either done with overdub - or - it's two people - but there's a note where the 'first' solo is resolving and the 'second' bit starts up....

Is it possible it was a Robin solo (the bendy awarkbid bit) and then Some bucket Shred following it?

I'm told whatever it was it's been replaced by a Ron solo...but i'm just wondering if that may be why it's gone and other's kept.