jekylhyde

Beard is also in good mood and cracking jokes. 

I dig that rock'n'roll meets lounge singer -look. It's not over the top, but still has some pizzazz.

When the band is on tour, watching Youtube-videos (instead of seeing them live) slowly becomes a bit "whatever, man", but surprise appearances like these are really fun!

16 hours ago, Shaolin Punk said:

Interesting that the chords and part before the original song had to have been recorded to fit as it even plays the main lick in a clean tone just before the original kicks in, question is was it done by slash?

15 hours ago, rocknroll41 said:

Are the guitar chords ringing out in the beginning pulled from the master? Or is that just some random session guitarist “covering” Izzy’s part before the real song kicks in?

I'm basing this purely on my own perception of what I hear, but it sounds like a random session guitarist*. The tone and the effects sound a little "basic". For the lack of a better word. Like they have some stock reverb or delay effect on them. Which would make sense if it is recorded only for this trailer. There would be no need to fiddle with the sound and burn money on it more than you have to.

But I like the dreamy vibe of the chords and the main lick, though. Fits the mood of the images it accompanies.

*Nothing against session guitarists, because they are usually crazy talented.

A few Finnish songs for upcoming busking season (along with my originals) on acoustic.

On electric guitar I've been trying to tackle Iron Man's solos. Been kicking myself for years for not learning to solo, so it's time to correct that mistake. It's tenacious work, but also rewarding and addictive. My long term goal on electric is to learn to play at least half of Paranoid (the album).

It's funny, they are 50 year old songs, I've been listening to them for 20 years and now when I'm learning them on guitar they feel brand new and exciting. Music is weird. Music is great.

Rock's joke was really dumb and un-funny. A bald woman? Joking about something so ordinary wasn't funny in the 90's when G.I. Jane was released, let alone in 2022.

But a poor joke is no excuse to hit anyone. In the worst case scenario, Rock could've fallen down and hit his head. There are people who have died that way or have gotten serious brain injuries. You can never know what happens when you hit a person. I wouldn't take that kind of a risk. Ruining someone else's (and/or mine's) life like that.

I mean, I do understand why Smith was pissed off, but if you can't control yourself and you start hitting people like that, then there is something wrong with you and you need help. 

6 hours ago, Nice Boy said:

That's actually changed my view of Myles as a singer. His high forced wailing can be a bit much, but on this song his voice was way more controlled, good quality and easy on the ear 

You took the words right out of my mouth.

Though, I've come to kinda like his falsetto these days. He could just use it a bit more sparingly. But his low/deep voice is actually quite pleasant.

10 hours ago, rocknroll41 said:

The more I listen to HardSkool, the more boring it gets. Whereas the more I listen to Absurd, the more I surprisingly like it.

I've felt this way since last fall when the songs were released.

Hard Skool is such a "safe" song. A neutered version of a Guns N' Roses song.

Absurd, on the other hand, while not perfect, sounds more genuine. Like they wanted to take a risk and do something out-of-the-box.

I don't understand why would a mainstream band want to release a lyric video for a song released two-three months ago, but... uhm... here we are. It's a nice video. I don't dislike it. It is what it is. A low-effort thing. A cool supplement for the new Slash song, I guess...

Both are good songs, but Absurd sounds more honest, whereas Hard Skool sounds a little bit paint by the numbers. I guess casual fans dig Hard Skool more, but they will forget it come next year. Absurd one the other hand will be talked about. Some will love it and some will absolutely hate it. And I think that's the point of music. Making something that sparks a reaction. Guns N' Roses should embrace that with new music. I mean, it's what they used to do. Not every song they released was great, but they always sounded honest.

36 minutes ago, SoulMonster said:

2016 or 2021, I don't think it would have made much difference. To turn things around and not be considered a legacy act, the band would have to do more than release a couple of singles. They would have to release more music that was relevant to more than old fans and the few young people who care about to his type of music. 

I don't think there is anything they can do to not be considered a legacy act. By casual fans, anyway. Us die-hards are a different breed. I'll buy anything they sell when it comes to new music, but most of all I would like to see them release music that reflects who they are now, as a band. I mean, they are millionaires nearly twice my age, but I still wish they'd release something I could relate to. Lyrically and musically.

It's really sad they broke up in the 90's and never got the chance to really evolve. Thank The Void there are other bands in the world.

I like both Absurd and Hard Skool, but they sound like tour samples to me. If they release an album I hope those songs are not on it.

I mean, after Duff's last solo album, Slash's Anastasia and CD's TWAT, for example, it would be a pity, if they would release a record with those songs on it, because they can write stuff that is so much better.

54 minutes ago, We love Axl Rose said:

Nightrain from this show 

https://streamable.com/2zy1h8

Damn!

2 hours ago, Gordon Comstock said:

I don't think they're gonna release an album this year, but even if they do, they won't 'take over music again' or have any real impact outside of classic rock stations. They waited way too long to capitalize on the reunion hype. I haven't heard Hardschool on the radio since the day it was released.

They don't take over even classic rock stations, if the quality of the new songs is on the same level as Hard Skool and Absurd. I mean, I really do dig them because they are new songs from Guns N' Roses, but in the end they do sound like B-sides. Good B-sides, but still...

Making a some kind of impact with new music would require them to release songs on par with their past hits. But to be fair, I don't think they are aiming for that anyway. Which is fine by me. I'll take whatever they release and be happy 

7 hours ago, Dean said:

Of all things with this band, nothing will ever top finally having a copy of Chinese Democracy for me. What a fucking album.

Hear, hear! 

1 hour ago, LA_0013 said:

In the minority here but Absurd >>>>HS. 

I like both of them, but I was (and still am) more hyped for Absurd. My only gripe with it is the use of same lyrics on the verses, but other than that it is a real banger! It sounds a bit more honest and fun than Hard Skool, like a true experiment and effort to create something different. Hard Skool sounds a bit like Shadow of Your Love or like an AfD b-side.

But on the other hand it has all the elements of a classic hard rocking Guns N' Roses song (sans swinging/groovy drums) and you can't hate that. The solo is pretty cool and emotive, the vocal melodies are catchy, Duff's bass intro... It is a good song.

I guess the main reason why I like Absurd a bit more, is the fact that if the band continues to play new songs live, those songs should, in my opinion, be songs that Axl can sing live without struggling too much and really tear it up.

I mean, I take anything I get, be it vocals from ´99 or whatever, because it really doesn't matter when your listening at home. But as a fan I obviously like to root for this band and I wish they'll be able to wow audiences years to come. And have some creative spark. 

That setlist was pretty damn good! Something for everyone. Based on those videos of Hard Skool, I wish the band writes (or re-tools) songs that can be sung on a lower register. But still, it's cool that they are doing new songs. Also, the shows at this leg look really fun and the whole band seems to be really into it. Good time to be a Gn'R fan!

46 minutes ago, denin said:

The current methodology reminds me of those (rather good) fan-made mash-ups of VR tracks with CD vocals, like Messages from Madagascar. Should've known back then that it was to be the future of GNR.

Oh, those are so GOOD! I listened to that mash-up EP just a month or two ago for the first time in a couple of years and that mash-up of If the World and Slither is  And also the song you mentioned. Just awesome. 

13 minutes ago, alfierose said:

That's interesting. I can see why that becomes an issue. Which one has the more 'usual' way of working? Is there a more usual way?

With the disclaimer that I have never written a song nor played an instrument beyond the recorder in school, Axl's method seems the most logical to me. It strikes me as harder to write a song around guitar riffs than to overlay them onto something that already has structure and lyrics.

From what I've read, most bands write the music first and melodies plus lyrics second. That's also the way I write songs, because I think it's way easier to come up with a melody when you have chords, because you can "find" the notes of the melody from the notes of the chords.

Doing it the other way sounds a bit too difficult or complicated to me. But then again, I've gotten used to doing it that way. So, I guess it's all about what works for you personally.

And I am more of a rhythm guy, than a melody guy, so that also factors in. If you find melody easier than rhythm, it makes sense to do the melodies first. 

I liked Absurd a bit more (sans the repeated lyrics in the verses), because it sounds like an experiment, where the band is having fun, where as Hard Skool seems like a more honest attempt at making a Guns-sounding song, but it kinda lacks that little extra swagger and swing.

The absence of those worked on Chinese Democracy, because they weren't hard rock songs, which Hard Skool clearly is.

It's in no way a bad song and it is VERY catchy, but it sounds a bit too tight and over-produced. It doesn't breath and everything sounds like they are played to a clicktrack. 

But if I let go of my analyzing side, I can honestly say I like it. I listened to it like 20 times yesterday, so it obviously doesn't suck. And in the end, it is so cool to have new Guns N' Roses music! 

1 hour ago, bumfarce said:

I fucking hate that some kids will hear this as their first Guns tune.

How very considerate of you, but I bet the kids will manage.

Just now, Slurps said:

That pic might be fake.

It's a rare picture from 1999.