Spectacle

[Ignatius]

I agree with Loretian. Spectacle is boring...I skip it everytime I listen to Contraband.


As for the bridge comment, I agree. Pretty much all the songs in Contraband follow the formula verse-chorus-verse-chorus-bridge-solo-chorus.

[Johnnyblood]

Yeah, but Chinasky, one could describe Appetite in much the same way.... most of the songs are loosely structured around one or two main riffs, a verse-chorus-verse lyrical setup, some kind of slowed up breakdown/jam type-thing right before the end, then a crazy ending.

That description certainly applies to Jungle, ISO, Nightrain, OTGM, Brownstone, Michelle, Think About You, SCOM, You're Crazy, Anything Goes, and to some extent Rocket Queen -- which is more like two songs made into one. Paradise City is a little bit different structurally, but not much.

So, do you skip over all those songs when you listen to Appetite just because they follow a formula? And if you say, "yeah, well Appetite is different...", keep in mind that it took about a year, and the release of SCOM single, before most people were able to absorbe Appetite. And only now, 15 almost 20 years later, are people beginning to regard it as a classic. And it ain't because they did anything original.

So when you consider Slash wrote a large amount of the material on Appetite, and he wrote a large amount of the material on Contraband, maybe you should listen a little closer to the Contraband material before you slag it off as boring.

[Ignatius]

Yeah, but Chinasky, one could describe Appetite in much the same way.... most of the songs are loosely structured around one or two main riffs, a verse-chorus-verse lyrical setup, some kind of slowed up breakdown/jam type-thing right before the end, then a crazy ending.

Yeah, I see what you are saying, but with Cotraband that formula is even more noticible. That was the first thing that stroke me when I listened to Contraband for the first time. Call the lyrics or maybe the melodies, the songs seem to be different from one another in AFD.

So, do you skip over all those songs when you listen to Appetite just because they follow a formula?

No, I skip Spectacle, Big Machine and a few others because I don't like them. Sometimes I play the whole album ( just trying to give those mentioned songs another try, but still don't dig them) In another words, It doesn't have to do with the song structure. It does have to do with the song quality.

And if you say, "yeah, well Appetite is different...", keep in mind that it took about a year, and the release of SCOM single, before most people were able to absorbe Appetite. And only now, 15 almost 20 years later, are people beginning to regard it as a classic. And it ain't because they did anything original.

True, but I'm not discussing that. However, I don't believe Contraband has the potential to become a classic ( if by classic we mean albums like "AFd", " Back in Black" or  "Nevermind") no matter how many years pass by.

And it ain't because they did anything original.

I do believe it was original. It was far different from everything heard at the time. It didn't become an icon of a generation ( as grunge did) but musicwise, there was nothing just like it.

So when you consider Slash wrote a large amount of the material on Appetite, and he wrote a large amount of the material on Contraband, maybe you should listen a little closer to the Contraband material before you slag it off as boring.

Could be true. I may have rushed with this one too much. Maybe not. Believe it or not, I gave contraband a few listens already ( at least ten the whole album) and that's the impression that I get.

[Johnnyblood]

I hear you Chinasky, that's cool. It's just that I find this record way WAY more exciting than Slash's and Duff's solo stuff... and it took me a few listens (casual listens, not hardcore analytical listening) before I could see what they were trying to do with each of the songs and to appreciate the chemistry of the band.

When I dowloaded those Chilean radio samples I actually singled Spectacle out as a tosser, so it took me a few listens to get into it too. Same thing with Big Machine, which is now my favorite song on the album and one of the coolest rockers I've heard in years.

Anyway, it's all good dude!  

[Ignatius]

I hear you Chinasky, that's cool. It's just that I find this record way WAY more exciting than Slash's and Duff's solo stuff...

It's definitely much more exciting than the solo efforts. I do see some similiraties ( as I posted in another thread) but way better.

I dunno, this opinion of mine may as well change a bit when I see them live ( according to HTGTH news, VR will play in Spain around September  )

[younggunner]

one could describe Appetite in much the same way.... most of the songs are loosely structured around one or two main riffs, a verse-chorus-verse lyrical setup, some kind of slowed up breakdown/jam type-thing right before the end, then a crazy ending.

That description certainly applies to Jungle, ISO, Nightrain, OTGM, Brownstone, Michelle, Think About You, SCOM, You're Crazy, Anything Goes, and to some extent Rocket Queen -- which is more like two songs made into one. Paradise City is a little bit different structurally, but not much.

So, do you skip over all those songs when you listen to Appetite just because they follow a formula? And if you say, "yeah, well Appetite is different...", keep in mind that it took about a year, and the release of SCOM single, before most people were able to absorbe Appetite. And only now, 15 almost 20 years later, are people beginning to regard it as a classic. And it ain't because they did anything original.

So when you consider Slash wrote a large amount of the material on Appetite, and he wrote a large amount of the material on Contraband, maybe you should listen a little closer to the Contraband material before you slag it off as boring.

I dont care if AFD was written the same way or not...nothing compares to it, and Cb isnt even in the same world as AFD.

AFD might be oridinary in  structure but it still is unique. That is why its one of the greatest albums of all time.

Its a boring album because 10 yrs from now there wont be one song on there thats on the radio playing. I guarentee it. Its cool if you enjoy it and you dig it but it doesnt come close to AFD or any other classic music or sound. Its just a rocking album for the moment. And thats not a knock. Its just what it is.

Just because Slash was a part of AFD and it has the same "structures" as CB doesnt mean jack shit. Theres a shitload of reasons why AFD is what it is and CD isnt.

[Mr Cowbell ?]

Did slash say in an interview recenetly that it wasnt hard to make an album, Verse,chorus, and then a solo. (in regards to the new GnR CD not out yet) I believe I read it in a magazine spin or guitar. Not sure. So maybe he does follow a formula... a formula for success

[McClane]

Spectacle is one of my fave...great song

[Mysteron]

Normally i wouldn't start a thread just about one song, but in reading the reviews you all are giving, i have noticed that many of you consider this to be one of the weaker songs on the album. I have listened to Contraband about 15 times and i think Spectacle is the best rocker on the album (followed by STB or DIFTK). Who agrees that Spectacle is an intense, awesome song? It's funny, because of all the songs that i see as being the most Guns N Roses (which were none the first few times i listened), this song is it, probably because i identify the angry tone and defiant lyrics as very Axl. Love it!


On another note, does anyone else agree that the bridges (all of them) are among the stronger elements of this album?

I think Spectacle is a weak song but the album as a whole has grown on me more. It's a Seattle glam mix for me, but not overly gnr inspired