I'm optomistic about 2005. Whether Guns N' Roses releases their album or not, however, won't make or break me or my support for the band. They have been through a lot. I wonder how Axl is handling the prospect of touring and supporting a release while dealing with the legal issues that have been inflicted upon him by his former friends. As well as the legal issues that I believe need to be settled before a favorable tour contract can be negotiated with a US promoter.
While an album (or albums) worth of material may be ready to go - I believe their are other issues for the GN'R camp and the record company to address in order for the album to meet its potential. Timing is crucial - and I don't think that simply "as soon as possible' is the answer.
While we fans here on the net may be actively waiting for the album - the music listening public at large is not. We are ready for it - been ready for it and we are a given. As much as I believe Axl cares about appeasing us, the bigger picture is to release the album when everything needed is set up and ready. And that includes Axl. I assume that although the litigation would not directly hold up the album's production or release - I believe that all whose success rides on the album would feel more confident knowing that Axl would not having this matter distract him from promoting the album and the band. I would rather see Axl not release the album this year and be able to close the coffin on his dealings with his former bandmates than have him stressed out with the album a tour and interviews AND on top of it find himself once again defending his integrity against the personal attack aimed at him by the ghosts of GN'R past.
Axl and every member of the new band deserves that the focus be placed on the material they present and to be able to share how they have put it together and how they have come together to form the new incarnation of Guns N' Roses the world will see before them.
When Slash showed up at the Hard Rock Gigs - it became THE story that was reported, rather than the band's performance itself.
This is what I really don't want to see a repeat of when the album comes out and the band returns - that the media attention again once be diverted and in doing so limits their coverage of the band itself and the music.
If things have to be settled first - so be it. I want to see Axl and Robin and Tommy and Dizzy and the rest of the guys on stage again together performing thier music as much as yo guys - but not if its going to take a rear seat to the media spectacle of Axl vs. Slash like it did after the Hard Rock gigs.
I'm glad that CD was not released simultaneously with Contraband! Not because I shy from the inevitable comparisions etc.... but as much as they (Slash,Duff,Matt) talked about Axl in their interviews and talked a lot of SHIT too... the rivalry would have been accentuated in the press and this would have detracted from genuine focus on the material and from the other bandmembers also.
I want 2005 yes, but i want it to be their time to shine and our time to bask in thier glow. Not an opportunity for the press and Axl's former friends/enemies to benefit from Axl and Guns N' Roses blood, sweat, and tears that have went into the forthcoming album at HIS expense or OURS.
Happy New Year to you Axl! Happy New Year to all at the GN'R camp!
Give 'em hell... til you are done with those fuckers:
I'll be here standing
Until the bitter end
No one needs the sorrow
No one needs the pain
I hate to see you
Walking out there
Out in the rain
So don't chastise me
Or think I, I mean you harm
Of those that take you
Leave you strung out
Much too far
Baby-yeah
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