ZoSoRose

I'm just using my ears, man

Good summary. I like parts of the song, but as you said, it doesn't go anywhere and that is its biggest problem. The chorus is heavy and pretty rad. Feels like 3 different ideas slapped together and looped (which it is). The bridge is a mess then Slash slaps some shredding on the end to add a tiny bit of variety. The song was better by association when listened right in front of Monsters because you then at least had variety between the tracks. As a single, it is a complete misfire. I like The General as a forum legend and meme, and I got a kick out of seeing the debut of it in- person live, but if I wasn't aware of the infamy over the track, it would be a nothing for me. It certainly does not live up to the hype. It is too bad, because parts of it are cool. The chorus is simple but pretty neat, and it is one of the heaviest metal things the band has put out. Pieces of the orchestra are sinister and neat. If Axl really worked out the best parts of that song and crafted different parts around it, it could have been a really cool song. Same with Absurd. Change the lyrics, add some parts and a real bridge for variety, put in a guitar solo and it is a completely acceptable comeback song. Unfortunately, these leftover tracks are just that- leftovers. They are repetitive and lack a lot of structural variety because they were the ideas that did not make the final cut. It doesn't mean I don't like them or that I am not happy to have them, because I really am, and I welcome more. But that does not change the fact of what these songs truly are. Even Hard Skool could have benefited from a completely different part of the bridge before or after the slide solo with some vocals. Think of the little bridge in YCBM. It isn't long or anything, but it does wonders to the song structure. Not every song needs a verse/chorus/verse/chorus/bridge/chorus structure (and some do); I used to really appreciate all the little changes and twists and turns in GNR songs that make them interesting. My hope in 2016 was that the CD leftovers would have been completely redone. They should have reworked and rerecorded these songs from the ground up with Slash and Duff writing all- new sections around the existing ones. It would have fostered actual song writing and it could have even led to some all- new songs in addition to the reworked leftovers. Imagine them keeping the verse and chorus guitars of Absurd, adding a totally new bridge and some other parts, and Axl contributing all- new lyrics and vocals. Unfortunately, it seems Axl does not want to write and record new vocal sections, so it means they have to work with what they have and just record new guitars over all the old parts.

Since last posting here, I have tracked down, "Appetite for Destruction : 1986 Sound City Session N' More" (official) "Live at Castle Donnington 1988"- Donnington Castle- Donnington, England 1988 (vintage bootleg) "Riffle Totin' Florists"- Perkins Palace- Pasadena, California 1987, and The Marquee- London, UK 1987 (vintage bootleg) "Live at the O2, Vol. 1"- The O2 Arena- London, England 2012 (modern bootleg)

The Studio 60 vinyl album is still easy to find fyi.

Yes, that’s the show. The RSD release is vinyl!

It rocks live, too. I am definitely picking up that live album they are putting out for Record Store Day. It is the Hackney Diamonds release show. Short, kick- ass set and WWW is a highlight

(It didn't)

Honestly, there is not a single song I don't enjoy on this record- especially when they are listened to as a whole!

Just picked up a stellar bootleg of a show with Gillan singing. It rocks, but I prefer my Martin boot

I wonder why Crue didn’t get Dj to replace Mick. John 5 is much better

Motley just sucks live and diluted their brand with their shit- show of a reunion. I don't think I can name a worse reunion. Playback controversies, Vince Neil sounding consistently unlistenable, and then the coup de grace of them dropping Mick Mars. I have long outgrown Motley Crue but I can see why promoters and Motley Crue would be excited about the prospect of a GNR/Motley co- headlining tour. That would be easy for them to market and most casual fans lump both bands in, together. It would be way more lucrative for Motley than for GNR, though. Motley is playing a B- tier casino in the middle of Michigan, this summer. That is NuGNR circa 2013-2014 level territory. They need big acts to play the big venues, whereas GNR don't. I could definitely see GNR having Motley as an opening act, but I doubt Motley Crue would allow their egos to accept that. I could see GNR partnering with another mega- band one day for a co- headlining tour, though. They surely do well in larger markets (the Boston and LA shows I saw in 2023 were pretty packed), but they struggled when I saw them in Detroit in 2021. I don't think they would go for Motley Crue, but a double- bill with the Foo Fighters, Metallicas, AC/DCs, Queen + Adam Lamberts, Aerosmiths of the world for one last stadium jaunt could be possible.

Agreed. It hasn't been the same since Church of Rock N Roll imo. Gonzo and then disbanding was a big mistake imo, as they had some amazing momentum in 2012. I saw them 3 times that year and they were a force to be reckoned with. Got to hang out with some of them at the gigs, too. They were really cool dudes at those shows

I saw Foxy Shazam open for Slash in 2012

It would be an okay business decision, as it would help fill up stadiums but Motley Crue is not a band I care to see, again. Pass

It’s especially crazy considering we have the original, complete and unaltered versions officially released and they’re fucking awesome

And two of the partners don’t care if one of the partners wants to release old songs, so why would they unnecessarily rock the boat? It is easier to avoid songwriting and recording, mentioning current GNR affairs in media, and accepting the CD era and why shouldn’t they? The band is basically a business partnership at this point. Getting along for the good of the brand only benefits fans and their legacy. I wish there was more new music, but that is an Axl- thing and not a GNR- thing. We didn’t get a thing (aside from the live video and album) from 2009- 2014. They aren’t abundant, but at least we have gotten some great releases out of the current era, Sound City Sessions Ritz 1991 live album and video Last Vegas 1992 live album Shadow of Your Love Four redone CD leftovers (with more on the way) Shit, I’ll take it. There’s some good stuff up there. Hoping for more live shows and CD leftovers. If that is the best we get, I’m okay with it.

Absurd, Hard Skool, Perhaps, and The General. Plus Monsters will come. I don't think it is that crazy to assume they did 3-5 more to make a short LP's worth. I can see them slapping them together with a cover and selling them as a 12 inch record through their online store. I'd definitely buy it, Shit, you could even throw on some live tracks which they already did with the Hard Skool singles (Absurd and Shadow of Your Love and even Don't Cry and You're Crazy with the CD, right?)

If the "next album" is just a compilation of spruced up CD2 songs, it is safe to say Slash has been done with his contributions since around 2019

As someone who is gladly taking the Chinese leftovers, there is virtually no interest in those songs outside the diehard community.

They’re active in other places

I was worried about Papa Was a Rolling Stone but that snippet sounds amazing

Looks like it’s still very much a rock record, too

Just post, it’s all good!

I collect bootlegs on vinyl. I came across a great looking Sabbath boot from their 1989 Vienna show a few months back and decided to buy it. I always loved the original band, Heaven and Hell, the revival Dio record in 2009, and 13. I always dismissed the Tony Martin years. I decided to pick the boot up and thought the show sounded fucking awesome. I am so happy I picked it up (boots are expensive so I was iffy about getting it). Got me into Headless Cross and let me say, that album is absolutely fucking killer. Just stellar metal that fits right in with the 80s NWOBHM. Iommi sounds awesome (did he use Marshalls in that era?) and Tony Martin is a fucking insane singer. I might pick this up, although I still need to pick up some of the OG Sabbath albums, too. Very cool this is coming out for fans.