Comparisons with Brian Wilson

[Millions]

I read with interest some guy mention the similarity between Syd Barrett(original Pink Floyd line-up) and Axl. However, don't you think Brian Wilson, the songwriting genius behind the Beach Boys, is a more apt comparison?

22 years or something between going all recluse, a bit wierd, etc....then coming back and releasing the average Smile album.

I feel sorry for Axl. He has stated in the past that he has suffered some mental issues - the last thing he needs is all this intense international scrutiny and pressure. Poor guy. And some of the fans - putting on all this pressure, with the negativity and so on -  are not helping him. And they are therefore not helping to speed up the album release. In fact, if anything, they are part of the problem.

[Shoeboy]

Smile was much better than just "average".

[dave-gnfnr2k]

I  thought smile got great reviews?

[gilld1]

Smile did get great reviews from just about everybody in the press.

Both of these guys had shitty childhoods too.  Wilson's dad was a major league asshole.

[fartinabag]

Wow, I just bought a Smile DVD live performance and it came with a documentary about the making of Smile on disk 2. ?While I was watching the documentary I noticed that B.Wilson and Axl are similar in many ways. ?They both had a dysfunctional childhood. ?They both are extremely talented songwriters who are troubled by their own personal ?"demons". ?They both had disagreements with band members about the direction and boundaries of the music. ?Both are perfectionists when it comes to writing/recording their music. ?And I think the pressure to produce a masterpiece fuels their anxiety to release it to the public. ?IMO Smile is an awesome cd, different than beach boys-it's more experimental. ?Reminds me of Mr. Bungle (California) on Ridalin. ?Anyway if a documentary on the making of CD ever surfaces in the future, it would be a great watch.

[jimmythegent]

It did get great reviews and is a great album

I was lucky enough to see him perform it is Wellington last December and all I'll say is that the "musical genious" tag is most definitley warranted in his case

[Grass]

Smile is one of the greatest records ever made.? But read my post in the Most Expensive Album Never Made thread.? There is no comparison to be made between Axl Rose and Brian Wilson if you're even slightly informed about either.? And honestly, Axl isn't in his league.? Not even close.

[jabba2]

Brian Wilson wrote music and produced records himself (in the 60's anyways), and created all the melodies for Beach Boy songs. He wasnt just a talented guy...he did everything.


The comparision basically stops there. I listen to my 66 Smile recordings everyday. They actually blow away the 2004 version.

[jameslofton29]

Not a very good comparison in my book. Brian Wilson shelved his project for many years, and didnt create a huge fucking mind game with his fans about his project.

[MikeB]

Not a very good comparison in my book. Brian Wilson shelved his project for many years, and didnt create a huge fucking mind game with his fans about his project.

Yeah really.

[Grass]

I listen to my 66 Smile recordings everyday. They actually blow away the 2004 version.

Personally, I prefer the finished 2004 album.? I think it works best as a completed whole, but I agree the '66 sessions are fascinating and brilliant in their own right.? Do you have the SOT sets?? Great sound quality for bootlegs and I love hearing the tracks evolve with each overdub.

[fartinabag]

Not a very good comparison in my book. Brian Wilson shelved his project for many years, and didnt create a huge fucking mind game with his fans about his project.

Ok. But that is just one aspect of the comparison.

[jabba2]

I listen to my 66 Smile recordings everyday. They actually blow away the 2004 version.

Personally, I prefer the finished 2004 album.? I think it works best as a completed whole, but I agree the '66 sessions are fascinating and brilliant in their own right.? Do you have the SOT sets?? Great sound quality for bootlegs and I love hearing the tracks evolve with each overdub.

My favorite is Odeon 2nd edition set.  All songs were completed except for vocals on certian tracks. The good vibrations boxset has the awesome version of DYLW?

[fartinabag]

If you're waiting...don't. Live your life. That's your responsibility not mine. If it were not to happen you won't have missed a thing. If in fact it does you might get something that works for you, in the end you could win on this either way. But if you're really into waiting try holding your breath for Jesus cause I hear the payoff may be that much greater.-(Axl Rose 2002).

Not a very good comparison in my book. Brian Wilson shelved his project for many years, and didnt create a huge fucking mind game with his fans about his project.

Where is this "huge" fn mind game, Mr. James Lofton?  Axl never formally announced an official release date (Just like the Smile record in the 60's).  It is the fans and media who created this mind game.  Blame yourself, or blame me.  It is our speculation and pessimistic attitude regarding the release date that creates this frustration.  EVERTHING WE HEAR NOW IS SIMPLY A RUMOUR.  If you lose sleep over this just wait for Jesus like Axl said...But if Axl releases Chinese Democracy before the almighty ressurection than we might get something that works for us.

[Grass]

My favorite is Odeon 2nd edition set.? All songs were completed except for vocals on certian tracks. The good vibrations boxset has the awesome version of DYLW?

Hmmm, I've never heard the Odeon.  Is there anything on it that I may be missing?  I've got the GV Box, the 3 disc SOT sessions, the SOT album version, an unlabled 2 cdr version (Vigatone maybe?), and various other legit Beach Boys records with a fragment or two from the sessions.  If there's anything different on the Odeon I might pick one up.  BTW, Vintage Vinyl (http://www.vvmo.com) has the best prices and selection I've found for Smile boots.  You might want to check them out sometime.

Axl never formally announced an official release date (Just like the Smile record in the 60's).

Smile did have a release date set for January '67.

[jabba2]

Odeon 2nd edition has the heroes and villians suite, the complete 11 minute version.  It might also have a few song fragments you never heard before. I also have collected many other boots but i only ever listen to Odeon and GV boxset.

[jameslofton29]

Buttcrack, you're wrong. Axl created this mess in 1999 when he uttered the words 'Chinese Democracy'. Before 1999, fans just enjoyed talking about the good old days. There wasn't much discussion about a new album. Sure, people hoped he would do one, but the fans didnt let a possible new album take control of their feeling for GNR. Axl's hype of CD created this monster, and he got plenty of help from Tommy and Dizzy. That Axl qoute you just used is insane! He basically says that CD sucks, you 'wont miss a thing'. The same year he said that, he talked about 'Big Guns'. He needs to make up his mind about the quality of his material. If he doesnt give a shit about his album or his fans waiting for the album, why in the hell did he mention 'Chinese Democracy'? Dont blame me or you for this shit, blame Axl.

[Saul]

Did smile sell many units at all though? 

[Grass]

Yeah, it did well, especially considering there wasn't really a lot of promotion behind it.  I believe it debuted in the UK top 10 and the US top 20.

[Dr. Blutarsky]

Buttcrack, you're wrong. Axl created this mess in 1999 when he uttered the words 'Chinese Democracy'. Before 1999, fans just enjoyed talking about the good old days. There wasn't much discussion about a new album. Sure, people hoped he would do one, but the fans didnt let a possible new album take control of their feeling for GNR. Axl's hype of CD created this monster, and he got plenty of help from Tommy and Dizzy. That Axl qoute you just used is insane! He basically says that CD sucks, you 'wont miss a thing'. The same year he said that, he talked about 'Big Guns'. He needs to make up his mind about the quality of his material. If he doesnt give a shit about his album or his fans waiting for the album, why in the hell did he mention 'Chinese Democracy'? Dont blame me or you for this shit, blame Axl.

That is what pisses me off about the whole situation. He built up CD to be so great, then disappears on us and doesn`t let us know what is going on.

 I can totally see the comparison  beween Axl & Brian Wilson.  Can`t say I have heard Smile yet. Hope Axl doesn`t wait 37 years to put out CD.