why i respect axl's perfectionism so much

[nesquick]

Almost everything Axl makes (musically speaking) turns magic. He has "something" genius.

[jameslofton29]

nesquick, Axl is obviously a genius. I dont think anyone can deny that statement. Its how he uses his genius that is a big issue.

[August 18th]

james, this is what axl said in 2002 regarding the work in progress on chinese democracy:
?I gave into a lot of pressure on Illusions both internally in Guns and externally in the press, those albums suffered as a consequence, it's not something I'm too excited to have to live with again.
those were his excact words. now, i agree that axl is a genius when it comes to making music so obviously i want him to show the world that he can still make some of the best music out there, and perfecting that music can only be good. i won't get disappointed no matter what, but the closer to perfect this album gets, the better.

[jameslofton29]

August, good answer by Axl!! But read my post concerning TSI. It happened again.

[DoubleTalkingJive]

james, this is what axl said in 2002 regarding the work in progress on chinese democracy:
?I gave into a lot of pressure on Illusions both internally in Guns and externally in the press, those albums suffered as a consequence, it's not something I'm too excited to have to live with again.
those were his excact words. now, i agree that axl is a genius when it comes to making music so obviously i want him to show the world that he can still make some of the best music out there, and perfecting that music can only be good. i won't get disappointed no matter what, but the closer to perfect this album gets, the better.

But when it is enough already?   Sometimes if you keep stirring and keep stirring you will ruin it.   I agree with you that Axl is a genius, we all love him for that but he is a genius to the point of madness sometimes.   You have to eventually accept that enough is enough and live with the little imperfections he might still see.   Ever know someone in real life that is a perfectionist, it's really frustrating for example I know an artist who's work is quite good but it takes him a long time to finish a project and when he done it is brilliant but he doesn't think so.

[Twisted Nerve 85]

Regardless of flaws the album will be kickass. Even Appetite had its flaws 

[Saul]

perfection in the music buisness is impossible. there is no "right or wrong" when it comes to songwriting nor does everyone agree on what a good song is , so writing a perfect song/album is just impossible.

[W. Botaxl Rose]

Man, do u people know what the term genius means, cause axl is most definitely NOT a musical genius. Was he a great frontman in his day? Most definitely. Has he written some great lyrics? For sure.  But i get the feeling some of u think he actually wrote all the GnR songs & just showed the band how to play them. If he were a musical genius, CD would've been released 6 years ago because he would've gone into a studio & written all the parts himself & just told the musicians what notes to play. Can't wait to hear why i'm wrong on this one & why u all think he's a musical genius.

[jameslofton29]

Botaxl, most of your posts are just shitty insults about Axl, but this is your best post yet. You make a really good point. I think Axl has certain aspects of genius. Cause when he's in "the zone", there is absolutely no one better. But you're right. He needs too many people to help him to truly be called a genius. I have always said that Izzy was the major contributing factor to the success of GNR. Take him out of the band in 1986, and GNR would have been a minor blip on the musical radar screen. Take him out in late 1991, and you get 14 years and counting with no new album. You say if he were a genius, he would have released it in 1999. I disagree. The new band hadn't been together long enough at that point. If he were a genius, he would've released it in 2002 immediately after the VMA's.

[DoubleTalkingJive]

Where as I think that Axl is a musical Genius with his visions of what he want's but yes most definitely needs help to make those visions a reality, he kind of directed the music direction in which he wanted NR and Estranged but let the band write their own parts, which is what I got out of watching the Making of's.  But as far as the other songs ofcourse we know Izzy had a huge impact on GNR success.   This whole discussion brings up an interesting question.  Do you think he trusts his new bandmates to write their own parts or has Axl attempted to write everything just as he sees it?

[Eva GnRAxlRosette]

Has Axl ever referred to himself as a perfectionist?

(no... I'm not being sarcastic... I'm really asking. )

[jameslofton29]

DTJ, Axl has definitely needed help writing lyrics. Tommy has mentioned the writing being a group efort. On the HOB bootleg, while Axl is discussing the song 'Chinese Democracy', he uses the term 'we' instead of 'I'. So he is definitely getting help. As far as Axl writing all the music, I highly doubt it. Hasn't he joked about his guitar skills before? I think with the epics, he probably does the songs on piano, and the other guys come up with music to go with it.

[DoubleTalkingJive]

DTJ, Axl has definitely needed help writing lyrics. Tommy has mentioned the writing being a group efort. On the HOB bootleg, while Axl is discussing the song 'Chinese Democracy', he uses the term 'we' instead of 'I'. So he is definitely getting help. As far as Axl writing all the music, I highly doubt it. Hasn't he joked about his guitar skills before? I think with the epics, he probably does the songs on piano, and the other guys come up with music to go with it.

That's good, I am glad to see it's a group effort.  So it brings me to this question what do you think Axl is not happy about with the tracks that all the producers mentioned were great.  His vocals?

[jameslofton29]

DTJ, when those producers mentioned the music being great, there wasn't any vocals. There wasn't any any lyrics then either. It was just instrumentals. I think the main reason for the wait was Axl trying to come up with lyrics to the instrumentals. Imagine how tragic it would have been if Axl died a few years ago? Geffen/Interscope would have released CD to cash in, and it would have been just music.

[DoubleTalkingJive]

DTJ, when those producers mentioned the music being great, there wasn't any vocals. There wasn't any any lyrics then either. It was just instrumentals. I think the main reason for the wait was Axl trying to come up with lyrics to the instrumentals. Imagine how tragic it would have been if Axl died a few years ago? Geffen/Interscope would have released CD to cash in, and it would have been just music.

I didn't know that, I guess I should have read the article again, thanks James.? Well god knows what's holding this damn thing up..only Axl does.

[D]

I agree with August 15th and I had a thread where I said that I dont want CD unless its classic.

IM tired of bands I like releasing pieces of shit music, so I want Axl to take 10 more years if he has to as long as the CD is the best he can do, I know Ill be happy.

out of all the songs Ive heard I love em all.

The Blues,Madagascar and IRS are top notch awesome shit and if those really arent the top ten songs on the album we are truly in for a surprise.

[August 18th]

I agree with August 15th and I had a thread where I said that I dont want CD unless its classic.

IM tired of bands I like releasing pieces of shit music, so I want Axl to take 10 more years if he has to as long as the CD is the best he can do, I know Ill be happy.

out of all the songs Ive heard I love em all.

The Blues,Madagascar and IRS are top notch awesome shit and if those really arent the top ten songs on the album we are truly in for a surprise.

i agree, i think this record will be better than anyone can comprehend. i'm thrilled to be part of those who believed in it from the start, as this record definately will catch the attention of the world and draw alot of new fans.

[Pinball Wizard]

I really can't see on Axl a image of "genius", I really don't...

I'm not a (completly) velvet revolver basher, either a Axl one, but I just can't imagine from where you guys took the Idea that Axl Rose is a Genius...he's not even a good singer! How could he be a genius?!?

Before you starts to bashing me or whatever, I would like to say that I'm a huge Axl Rose's fan, I love his work and his voice(even I thinkin' he isn't a good singer at all) but I think that someone labeled him as "GENIUS", i'm sorry, but that's stupid... Axl Rose is just a cool guy, who is full of problems that came from his childhood and is now affecting him...

Axl Rose is not a Genius...Slash is not a genius...Duff is not a genius...scott weiland is not a genius...GN'R never has anyone that was/is a genius...

Axl Rose is just a guy with great Ideas of how doin' a rock record, or a rock concert, or a rock song or whatever, but he's NOT A GENIUS!!!

I think I'm the only Guns N' Roses' fan that can see that...

[Dust N Rose]

I really can't see on Axl a image of "genius", I really don't...

I'm not a (completly) velvet revolver basher, either a Axl one, but I just can't imagine from where you guys took the Idea that Axl Rose is a Genius...he's not even a good singer! How could he be a genius?!?

Before you starts to bashing me or whatever, I would like to say that I'm a huge Axl Rose's fan, I love his work and his voice(even I thinkin' he isn't a good singer at all) but I think that someone labeled him as "GENIUS", i'm sorry, but that's stupid... Axl Rose is just a cool guy, who is full of problems that came from his childhood and is now affecting him...

Axl Rose is not a Genius...Slash is not a genius...Duff is not a genius...scott weiland is not a genius...GN'R never has anyone that was/is a genius...

Axl Rose is just a guy with great Ideas of how doin' a rock record, or a rock concert, or a rock song or whatever, but he's NOT A GENIUS!!!

I think I'm the only Guns N' Roses' fan that can see that...

He's a good singer, at least he was. He has very good lyrical skills and his rants make sense at least. Also I liked the way he organised the Illusion miracle, the shows, the cds, the music videos e.t.c.

[nesquick]

when you sell 85 million records worldwide and was/is part of one of the greatest band in History, you have something genius. When you are able to write songs like November rain and estranged, you have something genius.
Even those who absolutely hate Axl, recognize his part of genius and his talent.