List 3 mainstream rock bands right now that are doing anything like this. I understand, there are some great indie bands out there right now making great music, but most of the stuff they play on the radio is uninspired and boring. The difference of course between these bands and GnR is that GnR has the power to raise the bar for everyone
Radiohead
U2
Audioslave
I know alot will disagree with me but Radiohead continuously makes amazing albums and nobody is doing anything like they are. U2 is massive and continue to inspire people through their music and they also don't sound like anyone else, and Audioslave is a great modern rock band that feels fresh in an era of stale overhyped flavour of the month rock bands. Grantid of these bands U2 is the only one who has a name to match Gn'R's. If you're looking for top 40 success then the name Guns N' Roses alone will possibly surpass these bands due to such a long period of inactivity, the hype will fuel sales. Musically It may surpass them but that's gonna be hard. Like I said nothing so far from the new material leads me to believe that it's gonna be anything groundbreaking or genre changeing. I like the new stuff but I'm just trying to be realistic. Like I said though I simply just disagree with your opinion.
I see what you're saying. GnR makes a different type of music than these bands I guess it's hard to compare and that's what I'm saying. TWAT is a hard rock-ballad type song with a modern twist, combines great lyrics, great vocals, great guitar work, it's something that the marketplace has been lacking. U2 and Radiohead are alternative, and I don' think U2's current material's as good as what I've heard from GnR but again that's about opinions. Audioslave, good band but much like Velvet Revolver I don't think they really stand out from the crowd that much, they make good songs but I don't agree that their songs are as good as the new GnR ones. But like you said it's all about opinion