Velvet Revolver's next album

[Dave_Rose]

Contraband is no where near as good as the illusion albums

[Doc Emmett Brown]

ranting: Do you know how many tries it took to do this?!  I had to log in & out 3 times!!   anyway...

I just cant see that...Whats similar about any of the first 5 tracks?? I understand that most of them are pretty fast, but thats about it.? "STB" sounds like "Big Machine"?? "DIFTK" sounds like "Illegal i Song"?? Again, cant see it.

  And Contraband "reeks" of late-90s/millenial production & mixing.

Care to elaborate?  Its relatively light on actual production (effects and such).   

I think these two are related so I'll answer them together.   I feel the production turned these 5 songs into a big pudding.  Which is a shame because if I listen closely, I can hear the differences in the songs, but since nothing is allowed to stand out or shine through, I dont have anything to hook onto.   This may be my fault because I dont have a musician's ear. 

The first song I began to like after several listens of the album was DIFTK.... which many of you express distaste for, probably for the same reasons that I like it.  I could distinguish parts of the song from each other: the vocal melody contrasted the heavier guitar riff, and well, the lyrics made sense to me, and I always use that as markers in a song.

It's not so much the intensity of the production (heavy vs. light, i.e. Pet Sounds vs. Exile on Main Street), but the style that bothers me.  A lot of times I find it difficult to make out what Scott is saying because the vocals are not bumped up in the mixing. 

Moreover, I think we all agree that Slash is, for the most part, essentially muted on this album       I'm very happy that he is receiving well-deserved attention from radio, but I feel it came at a price.

Arent you curious about the so-called 'lush' production version by Bob Ezrin?  Maybe it wasnt filled with background white noise that seems to infiltrate this version of the production. Maybe they should have released it as a double album with 2 production versions. 

Is anyone going to care that Dirty Little Thing was about Paris Hilton when she's old and her boobs are sagging?

Youre talking about two different concepts - sound and content.? I dont find either records to be dated in either department.

yes, you're right about the 2 different concepts.  But I think both records are dated in the sound dept.  Unlike Tyrod, I do not mean this as a criticism of either album (he used the word "reek" which is obviously meant to diss the record, so I used it back at him).   I dont think there is anything wrong in sounding dated - a great album is usually a snapshot of the time and culture in which it was created (that was plagiarism btw).   

AFD, while it appeals to many people of all ages and types, has an unabashed Sunset Strip feel to it - you can be transported back to that era when you listen.   As for Contraband - do you agree that it is a 'modern' sounding record?  (It must be, since it's being played on KROQ...).   It is only reasonable to assume that music will change drastically over the next decade, just as it did in the 90's, and thus CB will sound dated 15 years from now, just as AFD does to us now.   I dont find this a flaw of the album, it just speaks of the nature of music.  It's silly to say that CB is better than AFD b/c AFD reeks of 80's - there are better methods of comparison!

[Captain Obvious]

Dump Dave Kushner and get Izzy

Dump Scott and get a better singer. Seriously, as long as they have that guy, everything will sound like a boring Pearl Jam b-side.

[RichardNixon]

Dump Dave Kushner and get Izzy

Dump Scott and get a better singer. Seriously, as long as they have that guy, everything will sound like a boring Pearl Jam b-side.

Scott Weiland has not made any music that sounds anything like Pearl Jam since 1992.

[Top-Hatted One]

I'll take any VR song over Anything Goes and You're Crazy

but I can't deny the incredible effect AFD had on me. I will likely never experience anything like it again.

There isn't one bad song on Contraband. The only thing it lacks is a Jungle, Sweet Child, Paradise type anthem.  Slither kinda is but thats just one.

[GnFnR87]

Contraband was a very good debut from a flat-out awesome hard rock band. There next effort will be even better.

[Mr Cowbell ?]

I'll take any VR song over Anything Goes and You're Crazy

but I can't deny the incredible effect AFD had on me. I will likely never experience anything like it again.

There isn't one bad song on Contraband. The only thing it lacks is a Jungle, Sweet Child, Paradise type anthem.? Slither kinda is but thats just one.

Yeah I agree on that(underlined part), I feel STB could be a WTTG/Its So Easy type of song if it got released as a single.

[badgirl]

Not to add fuel to the fire here, but it is my OPINION that songs like 'Anything Goes' and "You're Crazy, and "Think About You" could not have even made it onto Contraband because of really how bad they are.? I agree with the poster that is sick of people putting AFD on this huge pedestal.? It is a great album, but it is not flawless.? And some of the songs just reek of 1980's hair band like "Out ta Get Me" and parts of "It's So Easy" <------ namely the whole "Why don't you just FUCK OFF" part which is uber-gay.
As for lyrics...well I'll just say that if Axl would spend less time trying put out this deeply meaningful album, and more time rocking like he did with AFD, we would already have a kickass album by now.? I mean who the fuck listens to Rock and Roll to discover some deep meaning?? That's crazy talk folks.? ?

Contraband is excellent.? Their next effort will be even better IMO.

-TyRod-

I've wanted to bring this up for a while now, but when Axl says, during Double Talkin' Jive, "you dig, what i'm saying, home fuck", i cringe every single time. the song fucking rules, but "home fuck"!!! is he kidding? not only is that soooo dated, but i don't even really think "home fuck" was ever something people said or that caught on. but its very very lame and kills the song for me. also, the part on Get In The Ring (which i also love love love) where the announcer voice says "and weighing in at 850 pounds, Guns N Roses!" 

that's all i wanted to say about that. 

[tomass74]

Contraband fucking gets better everytime I listen to it. Saying that, I can't say whether the next album will get better. I hear something different everytime I listen to this one.

As much as I love Guns N Roses, Axl's lyrics are not very deep and meaningful. Not saying that they aren't good. Sweet Child O Mine, Awesome Awesome song, the lyrics are cheesy but they work.

I love the lyrics on Contrabnd. Seriously, I think they are the fucking great!!!!!!! If you think they aren't meaningful you are not listening or just don't want them to be good because Scott pours his fucking soul out on Contraband. I like music from the heart.

If they drop anyone, I think it should be Matt. But that will never happen.

[K-Rock]

I'll take any VR song over Anything Goes and You're Crazy

I'll add Out Ta Get Me, Think About You & My Michelle to that......regardless of anything somebody who just heard Van Halen for the first time thinks.

but I can't deny the incredible effect AFD had on me. I will likely never experience anything like it again.

Exactly how I feel.? I may like a cd better in the future....but I too doubt a record wiil ever have the same affect on me as AFD had.? I felt content chilling out in my room listening to AFD repeatedly instead of causing havoc & mayhem on the streets as a 17 year old bad-attitude trouble-maker.

There isn't one bad song on Contraband. The only thing it lacks is a Jungle, Sweet Child, Paradise type anthem.? Slither kinda is but thats just one.

Agreed.

[Doc Emmett Brown]

There isn't one bad song on Contraband.

I agree there arent any outright bad songs on the album, but the only excellent song in my mind is You Got No Right. 

The only thing it lacks is a Jungle, Sweet Child, Paradise type anthem.? Slither kinda is but thats just one.

Truthfully, I've never seen any older musicians make anthemic songs in their later careers.  Songs like that arise when you're young and you dont give a fuck.   If you could give me an example of an anthemic song made by musicians in their 40's (and it must be generally agreed upon that it sounds anthem-like to a large chunk of people) - I'd much appreciate it.

[Mikkamakka]

Truthfully, I've never seen any older musicians make anthemic songs in their later careers.? Songs like that arise when you're young and you dont give a fuck.? ?If you could give me an example of an anthemic song made by musicians in their 40's (and it must be generally agreed upon that it sounds anthem-like to a large chunk of people) - I'd much appreciate it.

You are right, it's really rare for a 40+ star to write an anthem, but...
The show must go on of Queen, maybe Livin' on the edge/Cryin' of Aerosmith, It's my life of Bon Jovi, Hey Stoopid/Poison/Bed of Nails of Alice Cooper. But don't forget, Slash is only 39 years old. 

[Izzy]

I'll take any VR song over Anything Goes and You're Crazy

I'll add Out Ta Get Me, Think About You & My Michelle to that......regardless of anything somebody who just heard Van Halen for the first time thinks.

Lol

U crack me up

''I'm a GNR fan - i just don't like Axl or any of their songs''

U crazy sod - i'd love to argue a bit more with u, but a 30 year old who logs into a GNR site damn near EVERYDAY and yet doesn't like their songs just seems like a BAD choice to try and argue with

Ur crazier than DRUNK

By the way i'm a massive Beatles fan - I just don't like their music

If i remember correctly u have stated in the past u hope C.D goes back to AFD esque rockers.....yet u don't like the songs off AFD? Rock on mate

[Mikkamakka]

I'll take any VR song over Anything Goes and You're Crazy

I'll add Out Ta Get Me, Think About You & My Michelle to that......regardless of anything somebody who just heard Van Halen for the first time thinks.

Lol

U crack me up

''I'm a GNR fan - i just don't like Axl or any of their songs''

U crazy sod - i'd love to argue a bit more with u, but a 30 year old who logs into a GNR site damn near EVERYDAY and yet doesn't like their songs just seems like a BAD choice to try and argue with

A fan doesn't have to like all songs of his/her band, although I don't think that every song on Contraband beats 5/12 songs of AFD. IMO the worst song on Contraband is not worse than Think About You or Anything Goes - but the best ones are worse than WTTJ, Paradise City or Rocket Queen. AFD is one of my favourites album of all time, but I can't say it's my favourite one 'cause it depends on my mood. And to tell the truth with each year I like UYI 2 less, I listened through the album from Civil War to My World maybe 3 times this year, 'cause I almost always skip Yesterdays, KOHD, Get in the ring, So Fine and Don't Cry alt. Some of the songs lose their charm with listening tem over 1000 times, well, some of them are rediscovered or their charm recognized only years later. Anyway, there are GN'R songs I don't really like and 2 GN'R songs I absolutely hate (Can't Put..., Silkworms).

[Izzy]

A fan doesn't have to like all songs of his/her band,

Very true - but claiming 5/12 songs on AFD are rubbish is perhaps going a bit far don't u think

U have to bear in mind the people sying these things also profess to not liking Use Your Illusion 1 or 2

If they don't like 40% of AFD and very little of UYI 1 or 2....then....well, what are they a fan of?

More to the point if they don't like the band...why are they here?

[Mikkamakka]

A fan doesn't have to like all songs of his/her band,

Very true - but claiming 5/12 songs on AFD are rubbish is perhaps going a bit far don't u think

U have to bear in mind the people sying these things also profess to not liking Use Your Illusion 1 or 2

If they don't like 40% of AFD and very little of UYI 1 or 2....then....well, what are they a fan of?

More to the point if they don't like the band...why are they here?

Of course 5/12 songs of AFD is not rubbish. The album maybe has 2 fillers and 2-3 average songs, but the rest is pure genius so the whole album is 10/10. But I can understand that K-Rock or others criticize GN'R songs and albums 'cause he's into GN'R since maybe 1987, and he got used to the songs too much. I'm a fan since '89 and I like the band (I talk about the '87-'96 era) on a quite different way I used to. I was a real HC fan, I thought they are gods, their works are worth to remember, they tell us/me the meaning of life... Later I only listened them 3-4 hours a day, but now... I don't listen GN'R even every week, I don't buy the magazines they're in to collect, I see their weaknesses and limitations as a musician and a human being, but GN'R '87-'93 is still my favourite band. But let's see what K-Rock feels about it.

[TyRod Tulip]

U have to bear in mind the people sying these things also profess to not liking Use Your Illusion 1 or 2

If they don't like 40% of AFD and very little of UYI 1 or 2....then....well, what are they a fan of?

More to the point if they don't like the band...why are they here?

You are wrong.  Most of the people saying that 5/12 of AFD is not great think that the UYIs albums are better.  I personally think that the UYI albums are alot better than AFD.  And I will say again that 5 out of the 12 song on AFD are not very good.  As a matter of fact, they are not as good as the worst song on CB.  I agree with the poster that said that while that is true, there are no song on CB that are as good as WTTJ, SCOM and PC. 

Izzy, we are here because we love GNR.  Not because we think they can do no wrong or because we think Axl is god.  Try to get a handle on that.  We are eagerly awaiting to hear Axl's opus, which is exactly what CD has to be ... his finest body of work.  Hell I could write a kickass R&R album given 10 years.   

Izzy, if you think Anything Goes and Think About You are better than the songs on CB, then fine.  That is your opinion.  IMO, those songs suck ass.

-TyRod-

[Izzy]

Izzy, we are here because we love GNR.? Not because we think they can do no wrong or because we think Axl is god.? Try to get a handle on that.

I happen to like GNR and realise virtually every song is a real accomplishment - some are better than others but there is just one song of their's i dislike. Fair enough u profess ur love for the band, its just when someone claims to dislike 40% of the band efforts i have to wonder, thats a pretty big chunk of their songs......

Contraband is a good rock album. I really like all (but one) songs on Contraband, but GNR are vastly superior - thats not a shot at VR that's a realisation that GNR are much much better. That doesn't stop me enjoying VR though.

Anyway, how come every thread in the VR section is also about GNR?

[K-Rock]

Lol

U crack me up

''I'm a GNR fan - i just don't like Axl or any of their songs''

U crazy sod - i'd love to argue a bit more with u, but a 30 year old who logs into a GNR site damn near EVERYDAY and yet doesn't like their songs just seems like a BAD choice to try and argue with
Ur crazier than DRUNK

By the way i'm a massive Beatles fan - I just don't like their music

If i remember correctly u have stated in the past u hope C.D goes back to AFD esque rockers.....yet u don't like the songs off AFD? Rock on mate

One more time......you seem a little slow and not one for reading what's put in front of you.

So I separated each sentence so that you could hopefully stay with me.? Are you ready?? Take your time.......so that you can comprehend each sentence.

I like every song on AFD.?

Period.?

I "prefer".....look up the word "pre-fer"....all 13 songs of Contraband over 5 of the songs on AFD.?

Therefore, I find 7 of the songs on......you with me still..........AFD better than anything on Contraband.?

If you add up all the songs on Contraband & AFD.....that makes 25 songs........that I like.

I like most of the songs on UYI I & II.

So, because AFD, UYI I & II are not my top 3 albums of all time.......I'm not a GNR fan???

Or, if I "prefer" Velvet Revolver live over the many GNR concerts I've seen.......I'm bashing GNR??

Perhaps you like to twist one's words just for the sake of antagonizing.

And yes, Mrs. Axl..........I would love for CD to be closer to AFD than UYI.

[Hammy]

Fuck me, the whole world these days seems to think Guns N' Roses is a joke you come on a GN'R board and what happens a bunch of people bash the band.? Firstly Izzy i agree with your music tastes and what you are saying about Appetite compared to Contraband i also think the flaws you bring up are right to the point and anyone comparing Contraband to it or saying it tops the UYI's is crazy but fact is everyone has an opinion music is down to taste some like the simple some the complex some the catchy pop some the heavy rock.? Fact is if you are passionate about something you will defend it to the ends of the earth.? I mean ive met people who think Guns N' Roses suck.? People who think the Spice Girls rule.? Their is no arguing with them so put simply i back your views i believe GN'R are very complex at times.? I also remember hearing someone once say [ive mentioned this before btw] that songs are written from their own experiences and have meaning to them but if fans can get some other meaning out of the song that's fine.? Now Weiland writes songs from the point of view of a junkie and a lot of his meaning in his lyrics won't mean shit but hell you can interpret them anyway you want that's what i always have done with Axl's and i get more out of those but it seems some getting more out of Weiland's.? Put simply whatever your opinion is fine but people with a different one may tend to think yours sucks

P.S.? Why Don't You Just FUCK OFF uber gay??? when did this turn into an Avril Lavigne board?