Gordon Comstock Posted January 8 Posted January 8 5 minutes ago, Free Bird said: I agree he did a good job on those three. Even an amazing job on Monsters. To clarify things up, with lyrics I didn’t mean his vocals, more the amount of lines he wrote for most of the new songs. That gives the feeling, that the vocals weren’t finished written, therefore these songs were really leftovers. Not because of their quality but because they weren’t ready for release until they were frankensteined together (with repeated vocals and newly added guitar and bass parts) Slash might not be the weakest link on the NITL singles, but he also hasn't elevated any of those songs. Hard Skool is worse than the demo. Perhaps and Absurd are fine covers of nuGNR songs. Monsters has a nice outro but we know the solo used to be way longer and heavier... The choices for singles have been weird, we know Axl has more 'complete' songs. Unfortunately it seems like he's got some aces up his sleeve but isn't confident in them until they leak and get feedback. The actual vocals are mostly good despite the effects, Monsters especially - it's wild he's been sitting on that song for 20+ years. But unfortunately 3/4 of the singles are 1 verse, chorus, bridge, repeat. They absolutely seem like 'leftovers' and 'ideas' with frankensteined production. 2 Quote
ZoSoRose Posted January 8 Posted January 8 (edited) 9 minutes ago, Gordon Comstock said: Slash might not be the weakest link on the NITL singles, but he also hasn't elevated any of those songs. Hard Skool is worse than the demo. Perhaps and Absurd are fine covers of nuGNR songs. Monsters has a nice outro but we know the solo used to be way longer and heavier... The choices for singles have been weird, we know Axl has more 'complete' songs. Unfortunately it seems like he's got some aces up his sleeve but isn't confident in them until they leak and get feedback. The actual vocals are mostly good despite the effects, Monsters especially - it's wild he's been sitting on that song for 20+ years. But unfortunately 3/4 of the singles are 1 verse, chorus, bridge, repeat. They absolutely seem like 'leftovers' and 'ideas' with frankensteined production. I don’t necessarily agree with that. His guitar playing doesn’t blow me away on the singles, but I don’t think it’s bad. I personally think the final version of Hard Skool is superior to the demo, and I dig Slash’s playing. The slide solo was a cool touch. Absurd is basic, but works. The guitar work on The General is hit and miss for me. I like the solo and some of Slash’s leads, but the sitar sounding part is way overused and gets grating for me. Perhaps is fine, but that is one I’ll agree with you on. He could have done something better for the solo Monsters I genuinely like. He gets some great, old sounding sleazy sounds like he used to on that one. Edited January 8 by ZoSoRose 1 Quote
ZoSoRose Posted January 8 Posted January 8 14 minutes ago, Gordon Comstock said: The choices for singles have been weird, we know Axl has more 'complete' songs. Unfortunately it seems like he's got some aces up his sleeve but isn't confident in them until they leak and get feedback. The actual vocals are mostly good despite the effects, Monsters especially - it's wild he's been sitting on that song for 20+ years. But unfortunately 3/4 of the singles are 1 verse, chorus, bridge, repeat. They absolutely seem like 'leftovers' and 'ideas' with frankensteined production. I agree with this, for sure. Quote
Gordon Comstock Posted January 8 Posted January 8 10 minutes ago, ZoSoRose said: I don’t necessarily agree with that. His guitar playing doesn’t blow me away on the singles, but I don’t think it’s bad. I personally think the final version of Hard Skool is superior to the demo, and I dig Slash’s playing. The slide solo was a cool touch. Absurd is basic, but works. The guitar work on The General is hit and miss for me. I like the solo and some of Slash’s leads, but the sitar sounding part is way overused and gets grating for me. Perhaps is fine, but that is one I’ll agree with you on. He could have done something better for the solo Monsters I genuinely like. He gets some great, old sounding sleazy sounds like he used to on that one. His playing isn't bad, but it also doesn't really improve the songs. Hard Skool is more about the drums for me, Slash's playing is fine but he had a weaker track to work with. The demo is a bit long but overall it's way better. Monsters seems heavily simplified but the outro is still the most 'classic GNR' we've heard on those re-recordings. I'm glad we got to hear The General but yea it probably sounded better with Bucket and Robin's tones, it doesn't really fit Slash. It's harsh to call his playing uninspired, but really for Slash and Duff these songs are just a session or two playing nuGNR covers, I can't blame Slash for playing basic versions... 2 Quote
Voodoochild Posted January 8 Posted January 8 6 hours ago, Free Bird said: I agree he did a good job on those three. Even an amazing job on Monsters. To clarify things up, with lyrics I didn’t mean his vocals, more the amount of lines he wrote for most of the new songs. That gives the feeling, that the vocals weren’t finished written, therefore these songs were really leftovers. Not because of their quality but because they weren’t ready for release until they were frankensteined together (with repeated vocals and newly added guitar and bass parts) I know, I was pointing out that even though the lyrics are repetitive, the vocal delivery was good. But I disagree about the songs being unfinished. It may feel that way, but if you consider that Perhaps and Hard Skool dated from at least 2000, I think Axl always intended to have both songs in that way, lyrics-wise. 5 hours ago, Gordon Comstock said: His playing isn't bad, but it also doesn't really improve the songs. Hard Skool is more about the drums for me, Slash's playing is fine but he had a weaker track to work with. The demo is a bit long but overall it's way better. Monsters seems heavily simplified but the outro is still the most 'classic GNR' we've heard on those re-recordings. I'm glad we got to hear The General but yea it probably sounded better with Bucket and Robin's tones, it doesn't really fit Slash. It's harsh to call his playing uninspired, but really for Slash and Duff these songs are just a session or two playing nuGNR covers, I can't blame Slash for playing basic versions... Maybe I'm being a bit too harsh, but I think Slash is a professional musician and shouldn't be constrained to be great only on stuff that he wrote. I take his work on Give in to Me with MJ - I'm not sure what he actually wrote, but for sure it wasn't *his* song. Maybe he didn't have too much time, maybe he just wasn't in a good mood doing this and just wanted to get rid of this task with Axl. Honestly, I just think he could be better, that's all. About Duff: I don't think he did a bad job. All the songs seemed to have a pretty clear bass line that were actually a step up from Tommy's buried bass (which is not his fault, of course). 1 Quote
El Guapo Posted January 9 Posted January 9 20 hours ago, Voodoochild said: I know, I was pointing out that even though the lyrics are repetitive, the vocal delivery was good. But I disagree about the songs being unfinished. It may feel that way, but if you consider that Perhaps and Hard Skool dated from at least 2000, I think Axl always intended to have both songs in that way, lyrics-wise. Maybe I'm being a bit too harsh, but I think Slash is a professional musician and shouldn't be constrained to be great only on stuff that he wrote. I take his work on Give in to Me with MJ - I'm not sure what he actually wrote, but for sure it wasn't *his* song. Maybe he didn't have too much time, maybe he just wasn't in a good mood doing this and just wanted to get rid of this task with Axl. Honestly, I just think he could be better, that's all. About Duff: I don't think he did a bad job. All the songs seemed to have a pretty clear bass line that were actually a step up from Tommy's buried bass (which is not his fault, of course). Maybe Slash simply doesn't really like these songs much, hard to get inspired if that's the case. 4 Quote
jacdaniel Posted January 9 Posted January 9 The songs released so far are pretty rubbish. You can’t polish a turd. There’s nothing wrong with the guitars. The songs just aren’t good. 3 Quote
Rovim Posted January 9 Posted January 9 (edited) at least I think it's an unpopular opinion: Slash's Perhaps solo is very good. I still prefer Robin's take on it, but I was surprised at how many people didn't really care for Slash's solo around here. his most inspired work imho on HS is the slow slide solo during, but all of his guitar work on HS fits the song well, even if it's nothing amazing. Edited January 9 by Rovim 1 Quote
jacdaniel Posted January 9 Posted January 9 I think people on here are also completely obsessed with having epic solos or guitar work on everything. Look at AFD, one of the greatest guitar albums of all time. But most songs don’t actually have some magical epic solo. Just solos and lead work that serve the songs. Overplaying is also a real issue. 4 Quote
Rovim Posted January 9 Posted January 9 28 minutes ago, jacdaniel said: I think people on here are also completely obsessed with having epic solos or guitar work on everything. Look at AFD, one of the greatest guitar albums of all time. But most songs don’t actually have some magical epic solo. Just solos and lead work that serve the songs. Overplaying is also a real issue. maybe not epic on most songs but the solos are magical as you call them imo. the material doesn't go for epic on AFD, but the guitars are perfect. it's not the best example. UYI is. every solo is incredible and so many are "epic". when looking at the peak of what Slash created it paints a more accurate picture if you look at all of his work in Gn'R, not just AFD, even if I consider it the best of what they created as a full album at least. 2 Quote
ChristmasFnatic Posted January 9 Posted January 9 On 1/8/2025 at 1:27 PM, Gordon Comstock said: Slash might not be the weakest link on the NITL singles, but he also hasn't elevated any of those songs. Hard Skool is worse than the demo. Perhaps and Absurd are fine covers of nuGNR songs. Monsters has a nice outro but we know the solo used to be way longer and heavier... The choices for singles have been weird, we know Axl has more 'complete' songs. Unfortunately it seems like he's got some aces up his sleeve but isn't confident in them until they leak and get feedback. The actual vocals are mostly good despite the effects, Monsters especially - it's wild he's been sitting on that song for 20+ years. But unfortunately 3/4 of the singles are 1 verse, chorus, bridge, repeat. They absolutely seem like 'leftovers' and 'ideas' with frankensteined production. I dont blame Slash. Esp in Hard Skool where he probably thinks the song is about him. and I dont know about you guys but Shadow is waaaay superior than the succeeding singles they released. I guess I just prefer those type of tunes. 1 Quote
SoulMonster Posted January 9 Posted January 9 2 minutes ago, ChristmasFnatic said: I dont blame Slash. Esp in Hard Skool where he probably thinks the song is about him. and I dont know about you guys but Shadow is waaaay superior than the succeeding singles they released. I guess I just prefer those type of tunes. Shadow is a great tune. I wish it was on Appetite, could have replaced Think About You, Anything Goes or even You're Crazy. But I also think Perhaps, Hard Skool and The General could have replaced songson Use Your Illusions and made those albums better, so I am not complaining about what we are getting. I just hope we will get something more soon. 1 Quote
Voodoochild Posted January 9 Posted January 9 4 hours ago, El Guapo said: Maybe Slash simply doesn't really like these songs much, hard to get inspired if that's the case. That's a real possibility, yes. In that case, he shouldn't have recorded anything IMO. 3 hours ago, jacdaniel said: I think people on here are also completely obsessed with having epic solos or guitar work on everything. Look at AFD, one of the greatest guitar albums of all time. But most songs don’t actually have some magical epic solo. Just solos and lead work that serve the songs. Overplaying is also a real issue. Well, you said the songs are bad in your opinion, but the guitar work was fine. I disagree. I do think the guitar work was fine, but I just wanted more. I dislike Fall to Pieces, to me it's a very boring song. But I think his guitar work there is very good and it elevates the track a lot. I would like to have this again. About being "obsessed" with epic solos, I'm not sure this is the case here. At least from my POV, the problem is that I think Slash's work was uninspired. And again, his tone is way worse than in the 90s/early 2000s. It's all very subjective, of course. Quote
Karice Posted January 10 Author Posted January 10 On 1/9/2025 at 3:34 AM, jacdaniel said: The songs released so far are pretty rubbish. You can’t polish a turd. There’s nothing wrong with the guitars. The songs just aren’t good. I don't get this unpopular Guns N' Roses opinion from you. A LOT of people LOVE Perhaps and definitely don't consider Perhaps a rubbish song. 🤔 Quote
Popular Post jacdaniel Posted January 10 Popular Post Posted January 10 1 hour ago, Karice said: I don't get this unpopular Guns N' Roses opinion from you. A LOT of people LOVE Perhaps and definitely don't consider Perhaps a rubbish song. 🤔 If you ever had to choose a song to explain “filler” then Perhaps is a great example. It’s a nothing song that doesn’t even seem complete. Same verse and chorus. Moany lyrics. No tempo. Short solo. B side song for sure and not surprised it didn’t make the cut for CD 4 1 Quote
Karice Posted January 11 Author Posted January 11 On 1/10/2025 at 5:27 AM, jacdaniel said: If you ever had to choose a song to explain “filler” then Perhaps is a great example. It’s a nothing song that doesn’t even seem complete. Same verse and chorus. Moany lyrics. No tempo. Short solo. B side song for sure and not surprised it didn’t make the cut for CD Hmm. LOTS of people give Perhaps HIGH PRAISE, saying stuff like,"Perhaps is the BEST song from the newer Singles of the Chinese Democracy leftovers! Totally great song, I love it! 😍🥰 Quote
Imissthecornrows Posted January 11 Posted January 11 Perhaps is head and shoulders above all the other NITL singles. Absurd and the General just do not do it for me. And I'm a huge Chinese Democracy fan. My unpopular opinion is that UYI II and CD are masterpieces, and are a toss up for their best album. I also prefer the Spaghetti Incident to UYI I. I've tried so hard to get into UYI I, but just don't connect with it. 1 Quote
Karice Posted January 12 Author Posted January 12 19 hours ago, Imissthecornrows said: Perhaps is head and shoulders above all the other NITL singles. Absurd and the General just do not do it for me. And I'm a huge Chinese Democracy fan. My unpopular opinion is that UYI II and CD are masterpieces, and are a toss up for their best album. I also prefer the Spaghetti Incident to UYI I. I've tried so hard to get into UYI I, but just don't connect with it. Hmm. To me, Use Your Illusions Part 2 album is a depressing drag of an album, 😫 whereas Use Your Illusions Part 1 Album is a VERY fun album. 😀 1 Quote
Karice Posted January 12 Author Posted January 12 A FEW people liked the LOOSE cornrows Axl era, circa 2002. I and MOST Fans found the LOOSE cornrows Axl era circa 2002 weird looking.😵💫 Although when he put them in a ponytail he actually looked badass. 🥰😍😀 The LOOSE cornrows era is a HUGE NO NO to me and MOST Fans! 😵💫 Quote
ZoSoRose Posted January 12 Posted January 12 Unpopular opinion- Hard Skool rocks and the final version and mix are fine 2 Quote
HOOSIER GUNZ Posted January 12 Posted January 12 8 minutes ago, ZoSoRose said: Unpopular opinion- Hard Skool rocks and the final version and mix are fine I’ll second that! I like HS too! Quote
Karice Posted January 12 Author Posted January 12 (edited) I'll third that! Hard Skool is also a good song to me too! 😀 Edited January 12 by Karice Quote
Free Bird Posted January 12 Posted January 12 4 hours ago, Karice said: A FEW people liked the LOOSE cornrows Axl era, circa 2002. I and MOST Fans found the LOOSE cornrows Axl era circa 2002 weird looking.😵💫 Although when he put them in a ponytail he actually looked badass. 🥰😍😀 The LOOSE cornrows era is a HUGE NO NO to me and MOST Fans! 😵💫 Karice, pointing out what others think is… pointless. You‘ll always find people with all different kind of opinions. How about making your own mind and don’t let others have such an impact on you 2 Quote
B5Redeye Posted January 12 Posted January 12 Unpopular opinion…. GNR tickets today are worth every penny. Come on US leg!! Quote
DoMw94 Posted January 13 Posted January 13 On 1/9/2025 at 1:17 PM, Voodoochild said: That's a real possibility, yes. In that case, he shouldn't have recorded anything IMO. I don't think it's a possibility at all. If he didn't like them, he wouldn't have done them. Simple as. Nobody had a gun to his head, and Guns N' Roses is a three-way partnership these days. Axl isn't dictating to Slash and Duff what they must record Quote
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