Hats off to GNR in 2021

[Towelie]

I know such an overtly positive thread will probably be met with negativity by some, but I think Axl, band and management have done a great job of turning things around in 2021. 

I won't lie, I was pretty jaded and cynical before the tour started, but for the first time in ages it feels like it's fun to be a Guns fan again. Not everyone can make it to the live shows and there hasn't been a whole lot to feel positive about with regards to Guns for those of us unable to see the band live in recent years.

Whilst I am (perhaps naively) hoping that the single releases continue and that one day we might even get a full album, I must tip my hat to the band for finally entering the 21st century, embracing the use of streaming services, playing new songs live and even releasing a physical format single for the first time since 1996.

Nice one band and management.

Edited September 27, 2021 by Towelie

[WhazUp]

Yeah, you know the past 2 months has been quite the turnaround.  I know things are not perfect, but Axl is improved since the start of the tour (and this may be just what he sounds like from now on), they have 2 songs newly released, recent setlists have been varied, and the rhythm section seems more tight than they ever have

I just hope GNR keeps the momentum going during the off-time after this leg of the tour ends.  Interviews or something like that, can go a long way for keeping us feeling invested while in the upcoming months the "new song" hype dies down a bit

[koldweather]

They've basically behaved as you'd expect from a band this year. I'm not sure whether that's worthy of huge credit, but its for sure a step forward. 

Hopefully it gets Axl creative juices going again a little seeing how it is possible for this version of the band to make new music. I think the experience they had in the mid 90s really made them all very cautious.

Finally, I think it does seem likely that this was planned in 2020 but covid did actually shut it down, as some from within the band mentioned.

[Towelie]

1 minute ago, WhazUp said:

Yeah, you know the past 2 months has been quite the turnaround.  I know things are not perfect, but Axl is improved since the start of the tour (and this may be just what he sounds like from now on), they have 2 songs newly released, recent setlists have been varied, and the rhythm section seems more tight than they ever have

I just hope GNR keeps the momentum going during the off-time after this leg of the tour ends.  Interviews or something like that, can go a long way for keeping us feeling invested while in the upcoming months the "new song" hype dies down a bit

Personally I don't really care about interviews. If an album is too much to ask for,  2 single releases per tour for the next couple of years would keep me invested.

[MrSoftie]

After the last few shows of 2019 and 2020 I was 100% against buying tickets again. I got a great show in 2017 and didn't want to ruin that memory. After the first few shows this year I stood by that decision.

Well.. they've changed my mind. Axl sounds much improved. There might be less rasp but his voice is much stronger, more consistent. The band have never sounded better, they've released 2 songs and actually played them live, and they rotate the setlist. I'm sold.

[Towelie]

1 minute ago, MrSoftie said:

The band have never sounded better

I wouldn't go that far.

 

[AxlRoseCDII]

Guns in 2021 are great. I was pretty much checked out after 2019. But this year has been amazing. 2 new, great songs. Axl sounds as good as he’s gonna get probably at this point. Things aren’t perfect and I definitely make fun of the band here or there but all jokes aside this has been a phenomenal time to be a Guns fan. Props to management and the band for turning things around.

[DurhamGirl]

Axl, the band and management have really worked hard, obviously, and it shows!

[MrSoftie]

2 hours ago, Towelie said:

I wouldn't go that far.

 

I'm referring to this band

[SoulMonster]

I agree with the OP. What would be beautiful was if Axl came out publicly and talked about the plans for the future and what he hopes to see happen. That's the big thing missing for me.

[Live Like a Suicide]

I agree it has been a great year for Guns, but what matters now is how they maintain this momentum. If they just let everything fizzle out and not release or do anything until mid next year, then this will be nothing more than a small blip on an otherwise underwhelming radar.

[RussTCB]

4 hours ago, Towelie said:

I know such an overtly positive thread will probably be met with negativity by some, but I think Axl, band and management have done a great job of turning things around in 2021. 

I won't lie, I was pretty jaded and cynical before the tour started, but for the first time in ages it feels like it's fun to be a Guns fan again. Not everyone can make it to the live shows and there hasn't been a whole lot to feel positive about with regards to Guns for those of us unable to see the band live in recent years.

Whilst I am (perhaps naively) hoping that the single releases continue and that one day we might even get a full album, I must tip my hat to the band for finally entering the 21st century, embracing the use of streaming services, playing new songs live and even releasing a physical format single for the first time since 1996.

Nice one band and management.

There was no one more negative than me prior to the start of the tour. Then the kick off in Hershey made it worse. 

Then suddenly, Absurd happened and the band flipped the switch. Setlists started getting minor to big changes, Axl started trying harder, the band started playing WAY better and the shows just seemed......fun and fresh (for the most part).

Does Axl sound "great"? No. But he's also 1000 years old in rock years and IMO, he's trying very hard. Effort goes a LONG way with me. Over the last month, I've seen way more effort from Axl & GN'R then I've seen in years. 

[rocknroll41]

Yeah it’s nice to see GnR finally being somewhat creative again. Hopefully there’s more to come.

Thank you Axl & TB.

[Blackstar]

3 hours ago, DurhamGirl said:

Axl, the band and management have really worked hard, obviously, and it shows!

They released music not long after you became a fan. You're a lucky girl

[t-p-d-a]

5 hours ago, Towelie said:

I wouldn't go that far.

 

Instrumental Yes. They play really tight... even Frank Ferrer. And since they play a little slower, it sounds very very good. Slash & Duff it's still worth to see them live

but Axl in 2021. It's the worst voice in his carreer! Can it get worse? Yeah like he doesn't sing all words, skipping lyrics. And that's exactly what happened this year

[GNRfanMILO]

We are still a long way to go, but things are definitely moving forward.

This year we got awesome rotating setlists, new songs, new songs performed live, slower tempos which made the band sound at their best (2021 is the best of all NITL IMO, instrumentally), and we got the most happy and charismatic Axl I’ve ever seen.  I’ve never seen him interact with the crowd like he does now. And he’s clearly giving his best vocally.

Even last year we got the Selects that, yes, were amateurish (but also the first time ever GnR does something like that). Fernando promised live videos and we got live videos. Fernando promised new music and we got new music. And he also said that this was supposed to happen last year but COVID happened, and now I believe him.

There’s really not that much to criticize. Even Axl’s improvement is shocking. He sounds almost like 2017 again. It’s a great time to be a GnR fan.

Edited September 27, 2021 by GNRfanMILO

[Tom-Ass]

5 hours ago, koldweather said:

They've basically behaved as you'd expect from a band this year. I'm not sure whether that's worthy of huge credit, but its for sure a step forward. 

 

That is what I was thinking.. They reworked two 20 year old demos and played them live.. I guess it is a step forward for them but would be a footnote for any other band.. They should have done this 5 years ago.  Either way, it is something.  

3 hours ago, MrSoftie said:

I'm referring to this band

Agreed... The band itself sounds the best it has since the reunion...

[ZoSoRose]

Good job, GNR team! But keep the new songs coming 

[ZoSoRose]

Good job, GNR team! But keep the new songs coming 

[gnfnrs1972]

There's no way to go but up when your at rock bottom. I'd  like to thank Team Brazil......F#ck Team Brazil.

[Original]

It was a kick ass tour to follow along with here (on MyGNR) and my show (St Paul) was so awesome/fun.  With all the "Covid" issues a lot of tours have had I'm glad Guns went off without hitch.  Band is on fire and Axl is kicking ass.  

[Nick85]

2 hours ago, RussTCB said:

There was no one more negative than me prior to the start of the tour. Then the kick off in Hershey made it worse. 

Then suddenly, Absurd happened and the band flipped the switch. Setlists started getting minor to big changes, Axl started trying harder, the band started playing WAY better and the shows just seemed......fun and fresh (for the most part).

Does Axl sound "great"? No. But he's also 1000 years old in rock years and IMO, he's trying very hard. Effort goes a LONG way with me. Over the last month, I've seen way more effort from Axl & GN'R then I've seen in years. 

He’s still out there at 59 giving it his all. That alone matters so much. We’re hard on them, they’ve kinda made that bed, but 2021 was a win for all. 

 

…..I still want that album. 😏

[betterman]

A good start, but they have to follow-up in 2022

[Gold top 78]

2 “new” songs released, the band sound  tighter and Axl seems the happiest he’s been for a long time. Things definitely going in the right direction. Let’s hope they continue to keep the positive steps going 

[Zeppelin]

They've definitely become a more "active" band in certain aspects, so I'll give them credit for that. But I'm not exactly wetting myself in excitement for what they're doing. It still feels like small potatoes.