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Man this thread isn't even that bad.

I went over to HTGH just to take a peek and wow they are hating huge on this reunion and really drinking the jesus juice / kool aid about how the current incarnation of GN'R with the replace replacements are on fire. I just laughed and thought glad I quit that board.

We see it a bit differently, but now I'm not sure how I see it myself anymore. Many valid points.

Sometimes when I listen to songs I find spots where I think "they could do something here, that part could go on for a little longer" etc.

But to write something myself? To write just a single sentence of lyrics? I'd have no idea where to start. A solid foundation is crucial and I think once that's there it's a lot easier to play off it, flesh it out. Like decorating the house, or building a new porch. Crucial to the end product, but pretty useless if the roof is leaking and there's no isolation.

Izzy's output is obviously hugely improved by Axl and Slash, and without them would sound pretty bland. But even when those two are absent, or more or less so, he can put out some very enjoyable music. A lesser package, but still a full package.

That being said, Slash is far from void of any writing talent, and while I see Izzy as more consistent he's got a far higher peak. Izzy could certainly contribute to a song like Coma, however it's Slash and Axl that comes up with the drooly bits.

On the other hand, when you remove Axl and Izzy he's a shadow of his former self. I can name 2 songs by him post 1994 that I like, Beggars and that single from the first VR album, and by like I mean I wouldn't turn it off if it was already on. Maybe there's some decent parts beneath all those terrible vocals, I don't know, not how I listen to music, but crapping on a cake does not mean it's still an edible product. Despite it's sugary contents it's now basically plain crap. And being these are his bands by and large, it's his responsibility.

That's what I've always wondered. The man clearly has an issue with singers, and going by the guys he's worked with up until now it's not an easy task to find somebody with talent. So why doesn't he make a real solo record? Just instrumentals? I'd actually love to hear that cause then we'd finally see what he's capable of without hiding behind lesser band members. I think it's because he doesn't have the balls. Doesn't want to put himself on the spot like that. The other factor, and I'm guessing it's a significant one, is vocal less music does not get played on MTV and award shows.

That's another thing about him that begrudges me. He doesn't seem to have a vision musically and the only ambition is materialistic. Izzy doesn't care about that. He's already rich, now he wants to do what he wants to do. And I think that attitude is far more important to creativity than talent is. Perhaps another reason why Slash' work (and Axl) have been subpar all these years. They're not in it for the right reasons anymore.

Axl deserves credit though for one thing. If he feels the music isn't up to speed he'd rather spend another 10 years working it than putting out a crap product. Unless Slash has developed a really terrible taste in music lately it seems he just doesn't care. Enough people will eat it up and his image and checks are kept intact. Axl is a bit similar, but at least his music is more or less enjoyable. Not only because he's more talented, but also because he has some sort of dedication and integrity.

All that adds up to a feeling of not wanting to hear his output. I just don't trust it anymore. He's got a ton of ability, but so does a guy like Buckethead. His solos doesn't stand back to Slash at all, and I think most fans would agree. He can take a song and make it better. People like Wylde, Navarro, Bumblefoot etc. can also probably do that. It's not that special a talent.

Izzy on the other hand is dropping albums like a true creative force. Some of them are quite good, it's just not my style of music. Slash' is definitely my style, but they're just bad. I guess that's why I'd rather have him and Axl team up with some hungry and young virtuoso. Still, if a trio of Axl, Izzy and Slash was at all possible, I'd definitely go for that. No question.