Madagascar comparison in Slither review...

[younggunner]

I thought this was an interesting read.
Credit the gnrbar....

Rating: 75%
Band: Velvet Revolver
Song: Slither


Velvet Revolver slither in

Album: Contraband
Release date: Summer 2004


It would have been too cheesy to use a headline mixing wording from the bands Guns N' Roses and Stone Temple Pilots. Because that's what you can expect from the majority of the rest of the media in the next couple of months as new superband Velvet Revolver hope to invade rock radio, MTV and VH1.

The name itself [Velvet Revolver] is already cheesy anyway.

Yet another celebrity star band on paper, in the vein of A Perfect Circle, 'Revolver' is compromised of guitarist Dave Kushner, lead singer Scott Weiland (ex-STP) and features the grand trilogy of former GNR fame, Matt Sorum (drums), Duff McKagan (bass) and that bluesy, Les Paul-swinging living legend, Slash (guitars).

New listeners and/or fans of these artists in their old lineups will likewise also first and foremost just await clarity: Is this a one-off or a 'band' that plans on making music and touring with purpose? Allegedly, 'Revolver' mean business.

Slither, their first single, is pretty good.

Before you can say "no WMD in Iraq" it becomes apparent that the creative output of joining the groovy and psychedelic pop-indie version of Led Zep that was STP at their best, with the hard-nosed, daring and pounding rock and roll of GNR, is a winner. At first.

Slash serves up a trademark original and cool riff that drives the tight and funky pocket courtesy of McKagan and Sorum, while Weiland sticks to his guns (yeah, I know) in vocally surfing the music like he did in STP. A great track, really, for a throwback. The solo alone (pure Slash) is killer.

Naturally, the greatest test and comparison of 'Revolver' and Slither is to measure it against one Axl Rose and his new version of GNR. Since Rose has no new material out yet (amazing) we have to let that one rest. Okay, c'mom, let's get real: We've all heard 'Madagascar' (much bootlegged live track from the forbidden GNR album, 'Chinese Democracy') and it alone reaffirms why Rose was so important. Scorching, soul-searching and poetic rock music wrapped in a majestic melodic cloth that burns itself to the skin. Slither is hardly that.

Weiland, who wrote the lyrics, is fair game in that sense. "Always keep me under finger, that's the spot where you might linger, but I see sometime the pleasure in my mind," Scott struts like a peacock on dope (alas, pun intended) and we then might just imagine Rose smiling from somewhere within his white mansion in the Malibu hills. Lyrically or vocally, Scott Weiland is no Axl Rose.

To further compare the two camps, producer Bob Ezrin (Pink Floyd) had done Slither with 'Revolver' before the band chose to re-record it with Josh Abraham instead. Ezrin is said to be working on 'Democracy' with Rose.

On the upside, Slither is undeniably catchy and offers some bare-bones adult rock n' roll that is definately missing from the scene today. Whether the album maintains that standard and whether this band has a future (never forget Slash's two poor SnakePit albums with shifting lineups) depends on - yes - sales.

That's a bummer because they do rock. Name and all.

Bill Oxly
ROX OFF


The thread at the GN'R Bar can be read here.

Edit: Added additional info such as the source to the post. /jarmo

[2NaFish]

not really the most even comparison of songs, but still interesting to see a review that has what everyone wants to see.

[duga]

To further compare the two camps, producer Bob Ezrin (Pink Floyd) had done Slither with 'Revolver' before the band chose to re-record it with Josh Abraham instead. Ezrin is said to be working on 'Democracy' with Rose.

That's a bummer because they do rock. Name and all. [/i]

Are we sure he isn't mixing up Slither with Set me free?

[General Grievous]

Its an unfair comparison as already stated. How about just reviewing the damn song without having to judge it against Axl's new material, which still hasn't been heard in a final studio version.

What pisses me off is that the reviewer makes a point to state that he didn't use a cheesy headline combining the two bands because everyone else will be doing it. Yet he jumps right into comparing Velvet Revolver with GnR just like everyone else will be doing.   Then again maybe its just me.

[starchild_666]

I'm getting sich of these Axl and Scott comparisons... Axl is Axl and Scott is Scott! They're 2 different persons!!!

[Doc Emmett Brown]

Who is the author of the review?  It is common courtesy to post that information...

Unless of course it was written by some random guy at gnrbar.

[nesquick]

well I don't think it is fare to compare Axl Rose and scott weiland. Axl is a Rock legend, scott isn't. ok this is the truth, and even Scott recognizes that. But the media shouldn't say something like that everywhere. It's not cool for Scott.

[Booker Floyd]

 

Where is this review from?  Im guessing its just a post from another GNR message board, because it just looks like the typical die-hard Axl fan rhetotic thats posted on here all the time.  Its obvious they just used "Slither" as an excuse to review "Madagascar"...

If the writer had any sense, they would at least compare "Slither" to new GNRs rocker, "Chinese Democracy".

[Doc Emmett Brown]

Where is this review from?  Im guessing its just a post from another GNR message board, because it just looks like the typical die-hard Axl fan rhetotic thats posted on here all the time.  Its obvious they just used "Slither" as an excuse to review "Madagascar"...

If the writer had any sense, they would at least compare "Slither" to new GNRs rocker, "Chinese Democracy".

Maybe it's younggunner - the budding journalist.  But he's too modest to post the authorship  

[General Grievous]

While it does appear this person had an agenda to work Axl into this review as much as possible, at least he appears to actually have heard the song before making a review.  Much more than I can say for alot of reviewers in the magazine industry these days.

[Captain Obvious]

I'm getting sich of these Axl and Scott comparisons... Axl is Axl and Scott is Scott! They're 2 different persons!!!

I agree with you but I think that VR brought this upon themselves in their interviews.

[dave-gnfnr2k]

Why are  you all getting so pissy now that the VR comparasions to Axl are not favorable to VR? You know damn well if the review was bashing axl you would all be loving it.

 

The reviews for the VR album have been average at best.  The album is just not going to be that good.  And its great that a live version of madagascar is better than the first studio single by VR  

[Booker Floyd]

Why are  you all getting so pissy now that the VR comparasions to Axl are not favorable to VR? You know damn well if the review was bashing axl you would all be loving it.

 

So it is a message board post...

[sandman]

Why are  you all getting so pissy now that the VR comparasions to Axl are not favorable to VR? You know damn well if the review was bashing axl you would all be loving it.

 

The reviews for the VR album have been average at best.  The album is just not going to be that good.  And its great that a live version of madagascar is better than the first studio single by VR  

you're wrong, the reviews for contraband have been very good.

and liking a song better than another is an OPINION! not a fact.

it's hilarious that you have your opinion on contraband made up already. it shows how close-minded you truly are.

and comparing a live version to a studio version is sooooooooo ridiculous. so we'll start comparing songs as soon as axl's album comes out....  

[2NaFish]

Its an unfair comparison as already stated. How about just reviewing the damn song without having to judge it against Axl's new material, which still hasn't been heard in a final studio version.

What pisses me off is that the reviewer makes a point to state that he didn't use a cheesy headline combining the two bands because everyone else will be doing it. Yet he jumps right into comparing Velvet Revolver with GnR just like everyone else will be doing.   Then again maybe its just me.

Yes, because no member of the media has ever compared a member of the new gn'r to the old band. Ever.

[Naupis]

Dave-

I would love to hear where these average reviews are coming from, because every major outlet I have read that talks about Contraband has been more than favorable. This "supposed" review of Slither is a farce written by some New GNR fan with way too much time on their hands because there is nothing to get excited about with New GNR and they want to try and tear down the buzz and excitement growing with VR. It's fine though, in another 3 weeks will be listening to Contraband while the Axl-blinded new GNR fans go to bed with visions of "Chinese Democracy Starts Now!!!!" dancing in their head.


We should all just embrace both bands and enjoy the ride because VR is on a role right now and I think they are going to be wildly successful if the early results are any indication of things to come. It is possible to love both bands, I know I do.

[General Grievous]

Yes, because no member of the media has ever compared a member of the new gn'r to the old band. Ever.

I think you missed my point.

[jarmo]

So it is a message board post...

It's not.

Imagine, some journalist prefers a live version of a new GN'R track to VR's first single. The horror! What is the world coming to?

 

Get used to the idea that not every journalist will think VR is the saviour of rock n' roll as the majority of the VR fans seem to think.

He clearly states how he prefers Axl's lyrics to Scott's. You think he's the only one?


/jarmo

[Naupis]

Can we get a link or verification of where this came from at least because I would like to know what magazine/website it came from. Can you get that Jarmo....?

[Mikkamakka]

If the writer had any sense, they would at least compare "Slither" to new GNRs rocker, "Chinese Democracy".

Agree. Compare You Got No Right or (maybe later) You Got No Right with Madagascar, that would be more fair. But Madagascar is a great song, I really like it, however maybe too long for the number of music ideas they used - anyway it's a damned good song. But neither Slither is a really complex song, but it rocks. Two good songs, but I don't feel that any of them would be a song to remember in ten years.