Contraband is crippled by subconscious comparisions to Appetite

[Mattman]

You know, I bought Contraband, and it's a fine rock album.  But I find that, even though I try not to, I'm still comparing it in my mind to Appetite For Destruction.  Not overtly, but subconsciously.  It's like, I know it's just going to be a "good rock 'n' roll record" by a new supergroup, but I can't help but compare it in my mind to the greatest rock 'n' roll record EVER.  It makes Contraband pale in comparision, quite unfairly.  Anyone else have that problem?  Like, no matter how good CB may be, I can't help but compare it in my mind to AFD.

[darkmonth]

No... thats just you.  There is NO reason to compare this.  

[Falcon]

No, not here..

[Ignatius]

I don't compare Contraband with AFD, however I do compare Contraband with Slash's solo efforts. I know I could compare it with any of the STP albums, duff/matt records or even GNR also, but I don't. Sometimes, when I hear Contraband I hear an improve version of It's five o' clock somewhere. Difference is, Contraband does have good songs while IFOCS doesn't.

[Mr Cowbell ?]

CB is more on the Rock Edge of AFD then the UYI's, but there is no need to compare them, AFD is unmatchable, CB is a good listen and record

[Jizzo]

I only compare it to appetite for about 5 seconds when I try to decide which cd I would prefer stranded on a desert island

[vicarious existence]

I only compare it to appetite for about 5 seconds when I try to decide which cd I would prefer stranded on a desert island

Good call...  

[metallex78]

I don't really think of AFD when listening to Contraband, because really there is only 2 members here from AFD era, and allot of time has passed and allot of music has come and gone in the 17 years (wow, has it been that long???) since AFD was released.

It's good to see that 17 years on, these guys are STILL out there and making great rock music, which might not be up there with the likes of AFD, but still great enough to stand on its own. I'd even go as far as saying its rock album of the year for 2004, for me anyway.

It's funny how the tides have shifted in popular music lately. There's a thread in the GN'R section on this board about GN'R being popular again in 2004, and I say this is very true.

Back in the mid-late 90's, GN'R, Axl and Slash were NOT popular and it was not cool to like their music, even the Snakepit stuff. All I'd hear from people is how they were a dated 80's hair band.

Now if you talk to people in general about GN'R and Slash, there seems to be respect there, and allot of people dont hesitate to say they are/were fans, whereas, like I said, back in the late 90's it was NOT cool to like that type of music.

I'm going way off topic here, so I'll just leave it there. Something to think about though...

[tomass74]

 Difference is, Contraband does have good songs while IFOCS doesn't.

I have to disagree with you there. I really though IFOCS was a quality album The only weak part was some bad lyrics on some song sand Eric Dover wasn't the greatest. I love songs like, Monkey Chow, Neither Can I, Beggars and Hangars, Good to Be Alive and Lower. Just my opinion.

[Ignatius]

 Difference is, Contraband does have good songs while IFOCS doesn't.

I have to disagree with you there. I really though IFOCS was a quality album The only weak part was some bad lyrics on some song sand Eric Dover wasn't the greatest. I love songs like, Monkey Chow, Neither Can I, Beggars and Hangars, Good to Be Alive and Lower. Just my opinion.

Unfortunately, we'll never know how would that album sounded had it been recorded with another vocalist. Truth is, not even the guitar riffs are good.

Opinions are just like colors, I have mine you've got yours, but that album really dissapoint a lot of people cause it sucks.

[PhillyRiot]

I think the fact that you want to compare it to Appettite is a good thing.  Contraband sounds more like Appettite musically, then UYI I and II.  The vocals don't, but the music does.  I think it it is good that it makes you think of Appettite.

[Thorned Rose]

I do expect to get ripped here on this but hey that's okay.

Appetite For Destruction is an awesome recording of an certain time and place. (That being 84-87 basically in LA) If Appetite For Destruction was released this summer it would sell close to what Contraband is. The timing for AFD was incredible. AFD is a great album yes, and I like it alot, I have always found Use Your ILlusion II to outlast it easily.

THere is not really a weak spot on the album really. Weaker tracks are YOu're Crazy and ANything Goes but that's okay because those tracks aren't supposed to be Huge hits you know? They do fit the album well. I have before at first however compared AFD to Contraband. When I did that I noticed these are 2 different bands, with 2 different approaches and most importantly 2 different era of almost 19 years in different from recording times.

Which album is better? I think that Contraband is a better album then AFD. BOth are great but I would go with Contraband. Of course that really doesn't matter because you can't compare them. I think it would be so cool to go back in time and release these fuckers 1 month apart in 1987 to see what would of happened.... just for sale figures... I'd go with Contraband on that too... it is solid in your face ROCK! Nothing like it!!!

VERDICT: Don't be a fool, don't compare albums 19 years apart!

[GNROSAS]

I Don't compare CB with AFD but subconsiously all the time i compare it with What Slash,Duff played in GNR. Unfortunately CB is Inferior (with the exception of YGNR) to AFD,UYIs for me and i expected Slash,Duff to do better. I even expected Scott to sound Better.

After Listening to Contraband i always feel GNR were the best group for Slash and Duff and STP the best for Scott. VR have a lot potential but unfortunately contraband doesn't live up the quality of previous Slash,Duff writting in GNR.

I hope the 2nd album will satisfy me more.

[yagami1gnr]

Well, even though comparing is not my thing. I think that you can compare Contraband with AFD or other great rock album. Why?
Because in that way, you see the real potential of the album. Many people in this board tells you to not compare it with great albums; however,  you can compare with LP, LB, etc. You got my point.
Besides many people says that this album is so great, so I don't see really a problem.
 

[Ignatius]

I do expect to get ripped here on this but hey that's okay.

Appetite For Destruction is an awesome recording of an certain time and place. (That being 84-87 basically in LA) If Appetite For Destruction was released this summer it would sell close to what Contraband is. The timing for AFD was incredible. AFD is a great album yes, and I like it alot, I have always found Use Your ILlusion II to outlast it easily.

THere is not really a weak spot on the album really. Weaker tracks are YOu're Crazy and ANything Goes but that's okay because those tracks aren't supposed to be Huge hits you know? They do fit the album well. I have before at first however compared AFD to Contraband. When I did that I noticed these are 2 different bands, with 2 different approaches and most importantly 2 different era of almost 19 years in different from recording times.

Which album is better? I think that Contraband is a better album then AFD. BOth are great but I would go with Contraband. Of course that really doesn't matter because you can't compare them. I think it would be so cool to go back in time and release these fuckers 1 month apart in 1987 to see what would of happened.... just for sale figures... I'd go with Contraband on that too... it is solid in your face ROCK! Nothing like it!!!

VERDICT: Don't be a fool, don't compare albums 19 years apart!

Yeah I Totally agree. "Machine Head" is already a classic, Falling to Pieces is the next SCOM, Suckertrain Blues is way better than Welcome to the Jungle and Spectacle is twice as good as Mr. Brownstone...Give me a break man

Yeah, Contraband will go on to sell 16 million copies and be the biggest debut album of all time...whatever...

[Mr Cowbell ?]

Yeah I Totally agree. "Machine Head" is already a classic, Falling to Pieces is the next SCOM, Suckertrain Blues is way better than Welcome to the Jungle and Spectacle is twice as good as Mr. Brownstone...Give me a break man :

Isnt "Machine Head" a song by Bush?