Tyson

Despite being true, am I the only one that found this line on the website a bit contentious, "Axl rose to fame as the lead vocalist and primary songwriter of Guns N' Roses?"

Was the idea for the theme of this AI vid, "Visual imagery that doesn't, in any way, mirror the lyrical content?" I think some imagery that corresponded to the lyrics could've enhanced the power of the song. Having said all of that, I do think the vid somehow makes the song better. 'The General' has grown on me, despite its overly produced nature, unnecessarily distorted sound and the lack a Slash solo or two prior to the outro. And I'd like to have seen less anime and more GnR

I recently came across this song as well and I'm equally as curious as to its origins. If I HAD to guess, I'd say it isn't GnR, but that hauntingly beautiful melody throughout the song is something that only Axl could come up with. I can't stop listening to it.

Axl finds a huge creative inspiration to make the best album GN'R has ever made. They bring Izzy back into the mix, spend time together in the studio for months and eventually release an album of entirely new material that holds up to the best of Appetite and Illusions. Or maybe nothing happens except that a few mediocre 20+ year old songs get released over the next two years

The more I listen to it, the more I like it...BUT, the overly distorted lyrics make it hard to hear the powerful, emotionally resonante lyrics. An unforced error. And a killer Slash guitar solo mid song could have taken this to another level. I repeat myself, but my own update. It is growing on me and kinda stuck in my head. Also, different speakers offer a noticeably different listening experience. On another note: Anyone have OFFICIAL lyrics to this song? "My only regret is that I never took the time to forget/forgive?!?!"

I like The General but I just think it kinda reeks of a missed opportunity. If Axl had just layed off the effects and if they'd insterted a great Slash solo in the middle it could have been a lot better

Axl tinkered with it WAY too much in the studio. I still like it, but can't help but think while listening, "Why the HELL did you make this WORSE than it should have been?!?!" WAY too much vocal distortion and overall production. Would be pretty killer stripped down. Add in a great Slash solo mid song and you have something classic level G'NR

WAY too much distortion in the vocals

It's overly produced, which takes the bite out of it. It doesn't move me to my core as much as it would if it was more stripped down and hard hitting. Also, a total lack of guitar until the end is a real missed opportunity. Having said all of that, I don't dislike it. For me, it fits into the category (as do the other old refurbished recent releases) as something I'd rather have than not. It'll def grow on me with repeated listens. In the context of this being just something for the fans, I'm fine with it. If this was intended as their official new single for an album, it would be a big letdown.

Ummm, is everyone basing their 'bad production' comments solely on the General leak? Has anyone actually heard the official studio version yet?

I always kinda thought that since Axl effectively bailed on any promotion when the record company took the album out of this hands, that it was the record company's decision to put CD as the first single. Could be wrong.

Street of Dreams would have worked too, but I think This I Love is a bit more emotionally resonant. The ending to SOD is great though. I do think that I.R.S. is actually a bit more classic GNR sounding than Chinese Democracy, with the great hook and all.

I think the singles off of Chinese Democracy should have been I.R.S. (with a radio edit that removes the extended guitar solo prior to the first repeated chorus) and then This I Love.

The General is damn good. I think some amazing Slash guitar work during the lulls proceeding the chorus could have made this something somewhat comparable to Civil War.

Are Slash and Duff on The General/Monsters recent leak? Or is there uncertainty regarding that?