chitownfan Posted November 30, 2006 Share Posted November 30, 2006 (edited) I would just like to say a couple things since i was at the show. The show wasnt sold out (about 3 quarters full), for those of you who thought it was, and people starting leaving before the show was even half over. After the first few songs the show got worse and people began to sit and then book out of there. 4 solos and 5 new songs destroyed the show."At Allstate Arena, a polished Guns N' Roses now more brand than bandBy Greg KotTribune music criticPublished November 28, 2006, 6:20 AM CSTWhen last seen at the Allstate Arena, in 2002, Guns N' Roses had retooled its lineup and was previewing tracks from its years-in-the-making album, "Chinese Democracy." Pyro and fireworks exploded, guys not named Slash played fancy guitar solos, and the songs from "Appetite for Destruction" still sounded unbeatable.On Monday at the same venue, it was 2002 all over again. The Gunners lineup had once again been shuffled around singer Axl Rose, and "Chinese Democracy" had still not been released. Several songs from that endlessly forthcoming album were once again trotted out to little notice, but "Sweet Child O' Mine" and the rest of the "Appetite" tracks still rolled through the joint like a freight train on fire. There were more long guitar solos by Slash stand-ins, and the pyro was still hot enough to flush cheeks in the lower balcony.If Rose and his revolving door of bandmates sound like they're spinning their wheels, that didn't bother an audience that filled the arena to three-quarters capacity and lingered through three opening acts and a two-hour-plus Gunners set that didn't end till nearly 2 a.m. They came to relive the era when Rose, Slash, Duff McKagen, Izzy Stradlin and Stephen Adler put the sleaze back in Sunset Strip rock 'n' roll, and sold millions upon millions of records. Since his 1987-92 heyday, Rose has managed to alienate all his sidekicks and many of his fans. Now he stands alone atop GNR, but there's the inescapable notion that it is now more of a brand than a band.Monday's show was a polished procession of oldies and a smattering of new tracks. Rose's recent material sounded more labored than the swaggering older material. The "Chinese Democracy" songs were outfitted in once-trendy touches, such as trip-hop beats, but they already sound dated. The fans were unmoved. They came to hear "Appetite" played in its entirety, and Rose played most of it. Night-prowling anthems "Welcome to the Jungle" and "Paradise City" framed the concert, and "Mr. Brownstone," "Sweet Child O' Mine," "It's So Easy," "Nightrain" and "My Michelle" (which Rose sung with opener Sebastian Bach) still packed a wallop.Rose's snake dancing charisma isn't what it once was. With his beefier frame, sun-glasses, and braids pulled back in a pony tail, he looked like one of those oily '80s talent scouts who once might've signed Guns N' Roses. But when his yowl wasn't badly undermixed, as it was in the early portion of the show, it still cut like a rusty blade. He was at his best on "Patience," first whistling the melody, then crooning it with grizzled authority against a subdued acoustic backdrop.The singer was unfailingly gracious, and the set rolled along without a hint of trouble. The musicians around him, including bassist Tommy Stinson and guitarists Robin Finck, Richard Fortus and Ron "Bumblefoot" Thal, sounded well-rehearsed. They were pros doing what pros do when on six-figure retainers.And so the night was a journey along the back road of mega-stardom, where professionalism rules. Like Mick Jagger, Rod Stewart, the Gallagher brothers and countless others, Rose is just the latest rock 'n' roll rogue to take final refuge in its comforts.gregkot@aol.com " Edited November 30, 2006 by chitownfan Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wasted Posted November 30, 2006 Share Posted November 30, 2006 How depressing is that? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bandita Posted November 30, 2006 Share Posted November 30, 2006 What's so depressing about it?Seems to me the person who wrote it had preconceived notions and wound up enjoying it anyway. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wasted Posted November 30, 2006 Share Posted November 30, 2006 He seemed to paint a picture of a passionless band who just in it for the money. New material is deemed as boring and AFD nostalgia is what people came for. But people still had good time he didn't say it sucked but did do a subtle deflating job. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pepsicoca Posted November 30, 2006 Share Posted November 30, 2006 (edited) This article sums everything up. Good read. Edited December 1, 2006 by pepsicoca Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Estranged Reality Posted November 30, 2006 Share Posted November 30, 2006 Very well-written and balanced. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
olga Posted November 30, 2006 Share Posted November 30, 2006 Just a heads up - this was posted in the Past Concerts section already. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nick85 Posted November 30, 2006 Share Posted November 30, 2006 80% Of that reviewer's points had nothing to do with the show, only the writers views of GNR/Axl.I was at this show front row center and it was nothing short of amazing. No "critic" will ever speak for me. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chitownfan Posted December 1, 2006 Author Share Posted December 1, 2006 He seemed to paint a picture of a passionless band who just in it for the money. New material is deemed as boring and AFD nostalgia is what people came for. But people still had good time he didn't say it sucked but did do a subtle deflating job.my thoughts exactly, greg kot is a good reviewer. i read a lot of his articles in the trib Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wasted Posted December 1, 2006 Share Posted December 1, 2006 thats why i said it was depressing. It's ok anyway. Professional. I sort of like it in a weird way. They do their job go in get out. Like assasins or something. Good solid shows no bullshit. Hope record is as solid and triple set. 2010? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
usjc001 Posted December 1, 2006 Share Posted December 1, 2006 Sounds like every other review.New songs are 'okay' and appetite sounds really good.To many solo's ruin the whole flow of the show...sounds about right. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
frankwhite Posted December 1, 2006 Share Posted December 1, 2006 shit... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
evil_l Posted December 1, 2006 Share Posted December 1, 2006 I found that to be a very good read, really like what I was feeling when I saw them in Stockholm this summer. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LA_0013 Posted December 1, 2006 Share Posted December 1, 2006 Nice honest assessment.... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
brownsfan Posted December 1, 2006 Share Posted December 1, 2006 this review was spot-on as far as I'm concerned... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sweetness Posted December 1, 2006 Share Posted December 1, 2006 (edited) a polished Guns N' Roses now more brand than bandThats all that needs to be said about new GNR Edited December 1, 2006 by sweetness Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mackle22 Posted December 1, 2006 Share Posted December 1, 2006 did anyone who went to the chicago show get as blown away by dizzys solo of while my guitar gently weeps as i did? fucking amazing!!!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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