Chinese Democracy: Would Axl rather have radio success or a complete album?

[ppbebe]

There can be radio friendly songs on the most complete album.

Nothing will come out of Chinese musically that hasn't been done before,

Well yes and no. I bet no album had so many different styles and different sounds on it as Chinese. See the dazzling variety of people in the band and their musical influences. that alone is musically unprecedented. 
Chinese democracy is coming from all over the place. axl said so in 1999. And he said it would be a very complex record in 2007. and that he was trying to do something different.

[madagas]

I see your point a little, but "different" for Axl doesn't mean unprecedented. I mean, 2 keyboards-done, 3 guitarists-done. Synthesizers, orchestras, mixed with guitars-done. Diverse personalities in bands-done. From the songs we have heard, NOTHING is special about them other than they are all distinctly different in styles-which doesn't lend itself to the creation of a cohesive final album. I think that is part of Axl's struggle-too much diversification and not a coherent, focused vision. Untamed talent if you will. We will see what the final album sounds like. But until then, judging from what we have heard, it is up in the air as to the final results.

[BLS-Pride]

Well, how I know rock-which looks at the genre from a historical perspective and doesn't concern itself with current trends-Chinese won't change ANYTHING. It has all been done before. However, I do hope the album brings back the love for melodic hard rock and not just headbanging/screaming/emo type horseshit. I also think it could help put some "balls" in the adult rock genre (Coldplay, Maher, Dave Matthews-shit like that). Nothing will come out of Chinese musically that hasn't been done before, but it can possibly help unseat some irritating current trends. In the end though, I want a complete album and don't care if there is a radio friendly jingle on it or not.

I hope so bro. I miss the balls and blues dirty in your face rock. I hope Axl has a few in his bag of tunes.

[ppbebe]

I see your point a little, but "different" for Axl doesn't mean unprecedented. I mean, 2 keyboards-done, 3 guitarists-done. Synthesizers, orchestras, mixed with guitars-done. Diverse personalities in bands-done. From the songs we have heard, NOTHING is special about them other than they are all distinctly different in styles-which doesn't lend itself to the creation of a cohesive final album. I think that is part of Axl's struggle-too much diversification and not a coherent, focused vision. Untamed talent if you will. We will see what the final album sounds like. But until then, judging from what we have heard, it is up in the air as to the final results.

Yeah but Nothing is special about any of them?
Then madagas, if anything that musically, speaking strictly, hasn't been done previously has ever come out of any famous album in the pop history would be the question. There's nothing new under the sun.

My bet is that he dared choose the struggle in broad compass over a shortcut in a simple, set direction.

[madagas]

Yes, I do agree on that. He is definitely "daring" to be great, not just good. That is a very important part of Axl's psyche and something that I admire about him. He is bucking industry convention and following his own personal "muse" as Merck would say.  Just because he is not breaking any new ground musically, doesn't mean he can't make an album for the ages. Most of the best albums of all time are not original, they are simply high quality from front to back. Great songs, cover to cover. The project has a ton of potential and I do see it's potential, but there are also some potential tragic flaws, ie achilles heels if you will. The major problem is the erratic nature of Axl himself. The ups and downs he has experienced throughout his life don't lend themselves towards stability and focus.  By nature and personal experience, he will be on one hand brilliant, on the other hand erratic and insecure. The entire project reeks of this. It is obvious. In the end though, let's just hope he is having a good day when he finally decides to wrap this baby up. I think it's going to be great because from what I have seen in the last year, I think he turned a corner-shook off some prior demons and is more content with himself than  he has ever been. He showed it on stage, in front of the masses. The eyes don't lie. He seemed happy and that is the key to life, not just making a good album. 

[novemberparadise23]

im sure axl wants both radio success and a complete album


he will need a couple of radio hits for non diehard fans to pick up the album to get into guns n roses music and get the message of the album

[ppbebe]

He is bucking industry convention and following his own personal "muse" as Merck would say.

Would Merck say muse? He was not the first person to use the Clich?. even on this board. 
Indeed, nothing is new under the sun.

I don't disagree with you
save that you assume axl is such and such. what do we know about his being such and such other than by hearsay that mostly comes from the people who haven't been friends with him for a decade or two if not ever?

He might be far easygoing than he's been painted out to be.
Maybe he's rather slow and steady than erratic and insecure, don't you think?