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ernie · 11-16-2015, 10:10 AM

Appetite is something like the third of fourth highest selling hard rock/metal album ever. It still sells a bunch every year to this day.

I find it hard to say the band was overrated when they are very clearly had one of the largest impacts in rock the last few decades.

They were a very good band that is clearly a case of the whole being more than the sum of the parts. All of them can write some good songs. I'm not sure any of them have written great songs alone. Together, IMO, they wrote numerous great songs.

I do think people should go back and listen to Chinese Democracy...with some good quality headphones. I think a lot of the songs could have definitely used some outside influence editing but the structuring and layering is really quite incredible in some areas. It is self indulgent. It is in need of editing. It isn't really anything new from Axl. But it can be absolutely incredible at times IMO. It is dense and often not an "easy" listen. So much of G 'n R is that easy to listen to groove and song (the aspects Slash and Izzy brought to the table). This isn't. It's bloated like the Use your illusions but somehow more focused because it's the music that is bloated with all the loops, different guitar parts, some overwrought vocals or strange vocal choices but the songs themselves are better focused. Less prone to meandering along like Locomotive did (still the longest 9 minute song I've ever listened to. The only non-throwaway song of G 'n R I truly dislike). But there are some poor moments as well. Prostitute never should have made the cut for instance.

To me the Highlights are IRS, Better, and This I Love. The last one of that list is clearly channeling the piano based ballads of Elton John but may be the best Axl has ever sounded on an album.

I actually saw the first reincarnation in Hartford. They played Hartford then MSG and then the tour blew up in Philly. The Hartford show was very good. It wasn't as good as the orginal group but Axl sounded good, the band sounded good.

It'll be interesting to see where a reunion brings them. Or if it is even announced soon. This is Axl we're dealing with. He's always late.

11-16-2015, 10:10 AM	#43
ernie Franchise Player Join Date: Oct 2004 Exp:	Appetite is something like the third of fourth highest selling hard rock/metal album ever. It still sells a bunch every year to this day. I find it hard to say the band was overrated when they are very clearly had one of the largest impacts in rock the last few decades. They were a very good band that is clearly a case of the whole being more than the sum of the parts. All of them can write some good songs. I'm not sure any of them have written great songs alone. Together, IMO, they wrote numerous great songs. I do think people should go back and listen to Chinese Democracy...with some good quality headphones. I think a lot of the songs could have definitely used some outside influence editing but the structuring and layering is really quite incredible in some areas. It is self indulgent. It is in need of editing. It isn't really anything new from Axl. But it can be absolutely incredible at times IMO. It is dense and often not an "easy" listen. So much of G 'n R is that easy to listen to groove and song (the aspects Slash and Izzy brought to the table). This isn't. It's bloated like the Use your illusions but somehow more focused because it's the music that is bloated with all the loops, different guitar parts, some overwrought vocals or strange vocal choices but the songs themselves are better focused. Less prone to meandering along like Locomotive did (still the longest 9 minute song I've ever listened to. The only non-throwaway song of G 'n R I truly dislike). But there are some poor moments as well. Prostitute never should have made the cut for instance. To me the Highlights are IRS, Better, and This I Love. The last one of that list is clearly channeling the piano based ballads of Elton John but may be the best Axl has ever sounded on an album. I actually saw the first reincarnation in Hartford. They played Hartford then MSG and then the tour blew up in Philly. The Hartford show was very good. It wasn't as good as the orginal group but Axl sounded good, the band sounded good. It'll be interesting to see where a reunion brings them. Or if it is even announced soon. This is Axl we're dealing with. He's always late. Last edited by ernie; 11-16-2015 at 10:15 AM.