TheFormerSoul

No more immediate live stuff.  Axl’s voice sounds like it is in a bad condition.  Fix that first.  Vocal therapy works, and miracles can happen if the problem is treated. 

5 hours ago, soon said:

I was under the impression that this 2014 photo was from Axls home studio, because IIRC there were pics of him and Pitman on twitter showing them outside Axls home observing the wildfires around that time. And, again iirc, Pitman had mentioned he was at Axls to work in studio?? 

 

I think this is from the “Sorry” Music Video that leaked years ago.

21 hours ago, lame ass security said:

Do you feel that it's a lack of chemistry among all three or is it more Axl doesn't have it with Slash or Duff?  Back in the day I think the chemistry was influenced, both positively and negatively, by chemicals.😄

I am going to assume you mean the rest of Axl’s musicians from the first part of your question.  

I think it’s both.  

The leftover NuGNR guys don’t mix with Slash or Duff on a purely musical level.  Additionally, I get the certain sense that there are still some communication challenges between the original three, and it reflects in the overall band chemistry live.  Not to mention this seems further reflected in the lack of clarity and derivative responses from the band members regarding the future of the band, especially in regards to new music.

My unpopular opinion is that the current band lineup just doesn’t sound good.

As great as it is to have two original members back in the fold, the musical chemistry just isn’t there.

An even more unpopular statement is that some, if not all of Axls vocals are borderline unlistenable live.  

I truly believe that Axl blew out his voice during his time in AC/DC.  Soon after they wrapped up their shows in the fall of 2016 and Axl returned to GNR, his vocal delivery completely suffered.

Here’s a full 2016 concert with a very solid vocal performance, right before the AC/DC tour.  

Every other performance with GNR since has been drastically reduced in vocal delivery.

My overall impression is that it sounds like a more streamlined and cohesive record than the last two.  

WoF, and AL had more highs and lows, great moments mixed with some clunkers.  

This is one sounds very deliberate and safe, and lacks a lot of swagger and grit as a result.  

Ps: I don’t like that Myles recycles lyrics and melodies a bunch.  “Soooooo looong”

With the removal of a very large amount of concerts, fan vids, and general performances as of late, one can’t help but speculate if this is the way things are going to continue in the future for all things GNR.  

I don’t want this topic to seem like an overreaction, but consider the silence of the camp (amidst a few taunting jeers from gnr staff on Twitter.) as a statement in itself on how the band and management are handling the censorship that is rampant online.  

Consider The Eagles deal on copyright.  Almost every live concert, and fan videos taken at the venues are the most part, nowhere to be found.  Why?  Simply because The Eagles don’t want it up there.  Good luck finding their music online at all. You will need to buy the albums.  

Imagine if someday GNR release more music with a similar approach to censorship.  GNR could release another nauseatingly expensive new box set containing leftovers from Chinese Democracy part 2, and maybe live performances of NITL, of which people could have in the past easily found uploaded to YouTube already.  Unfortunately, you have to pay the piper his $1,000 bucks to hear Axl sing live in 2016..

If this sounds far fetched remember when Axl wanted all unflattering photos of him to be removed from the internet?  

12 hours ago, Ifdworld said:

I think you're forgetting Frank plays a 3h30 hour set sometimes almost 4 hours.

 

You think a drummer can maintain that stamina for that long? Even brain said he doesn't know how frank does it because the set is so big he would've lost all energy half way through a normal gnr set now a days.

 

If you think Frank isn't a great drummer, thats your opinion. Not a fact. To assume Slash Duff and Axl can't tell a good drummer from a bad one just proves how silly that comment sounds.

I never insinuated Axl, Slash, Duff can’t tell a good drummer from a bad one.  It’s their choice to have frank play.  There are probably reasons to keep him around like loyalty to Axl over the years, he is paid as an employee rather than an original member, as well as others we can only guess about. 

Good for frank that he has the endurance to play for almost a 3hr set sometimes.  That’s really commendable.  However, you can tell from the first song of a set, how musicality and dynamics are so important for drummers.  I’m not saying Frank isn’t good at what he does, but there is a missing ingredient that becomes very apparent when a different great drummer pushes a band like GnR like what we heard in that it’s so easy performance.

 It’s like night and day. Power and endurance is fine, but dynamics, drum kit tone, and musicality is so much more important.  Especially for a band like GNR.  

That was cool.  So nice to see the guys actually having fun together on stage. 👍

What a difference a great drummer can make.  Killer energy, it’s like the band de-aged 10 years.

55 minutes ago, Litti said:

I'm afraid he can't, more or less controlled to "project the image" that the management want. (tophat glued to the head for the duration of the show)

I've said it before: lose the hat. Should only wear it for the Paradise City

If “Management” was so concerned about image projection, why havent they ordered Axl to lose weight or fix the voice?

Axls  performance I think, seem to be a mix of no/low prep for touring/fitness, and negligence of taking care of his vocals with the right technique. 

Watching any videos from 2016 on, he’s basically yelling and screaming to even get any bit of raspiness in his voice..  His vocals are shot, and it’s not going to get any better with time if he continues this way.  I don’t know why they would want to keep Axl in the position of touring when he’s not prepared vocally and is probably continuing to damage his vocal chords this way.  

6 minutes ago, Draguns said:

Cool. I'm sure  GNR won't be crying for you not buying a ticket when they have already made millions off of ticket sales. I'm not trying to bust your balls, but to me this is just mind boggling.  I was a fan of Designated Survivor. Great first season. Awful second. I didn't like the direction of the show so I stopped watching it when it came back for the second half of the second season. 

I understand.  I suppose it would make sense to just drop the thing entirely.  I invested a lot in the band for a long time. It’s hard to let it go completely (even lurking the forums).  I guess I’m holding on to false expectations.  

Like I said, I’m done investing in them with money for live performances.   I think these tours are just an act of cash grabbing and there is no potential or desire to move forward as a band or musical force.  

1 minute ago, Draguns said:

Why bother even watching and being a GNR fan if you think that way? I can never understand people like you.  Whenever I think or feel that way about a TV show, I stop watching. 

Well I guess I’m more interested in the setlist at this point than anything else.  I’m not going to watch it at this point, and I’m not going to rush out to buy tickets for a show anymore.  I’ve already done it and learned my lesson.  

I’m interested to see how the show progresses.  

That being said, Axls vocals continue to decline, and he’s more out of shape than the last run.

Recap of 2016-17 tours

In comparison to the 2016 shows, the band sounds good, much tighter than the previous leg.

They seemed to have found a way to compensate for the "wet blanket chemistry" that plagues this current lineup.  

Slash is sounding great and on his best game. Huge tone improvement even compared to last year.

Axl is still physically not in touring shape. His voice sounds like it needs a rest period.

The atmosphere of the last couple of gigs seemed really great.

I think what carries this band is really the instrumentalists bar the drumming.  I feel either Axl needs to work on his fitness/voice to survive the tours or really take time to rest his voice.  

15 hours ago, Blake Sabbath said:

With the plethora of nuGN'R discussion still rampant, but with the sea change of Slash and Duff permanently back in the fold not to mention regular updates and seemingly "normal" activity from our fave band, is it high time the mods and powers that be split the discussion in the forum between clear boundaries of nu-GN'R and Guns N' Roses '16/'17?

 

Please vote YES or NO

 

Guns n Roses 2016-17 = Nu Gnr +2

It is apparent that Axl's voice is not very strong this tour, and many of you guys have expressed frustration with how he sounds currently.

Having seen many of the photos/vids of this tour and even attending a live show, I can attest to feeling the same way too, both with Axls voice, and frankly, his fragile looking appearance.   

The question is this; if the reason for Axl's poor vocals and performances were a direct result of a vocal or physical handicap, would you guys feel less critical of this tour? 

Quick Review

The show was really great overall.  Lenny Kravitz really did a good set despite a few technical hiccups.  

Axl was on point for most of the show and his quality of voice wasn't really a big issue.  

Slash played great, and I was impressed with fortus as well.

Very few criticisms about the show itself, the only thing I noticed was that although Axl still performs well he looks frail and weathered these days.

It was a really awesome show, but I get the impression that the main glue that holds this tour together weighs heavily on leaning on the past rather then a continuation of the GnR story.  

Will be there as well.

Super fast nightrain :0 they really rush these tunes this tour!

Its all over folks gnite!

NOTHING'S EVER GOOOOD ENOUGH FOR YOUUUUUUUU

Super great!

He is starting to look like Rob Halford