Almost two years Later --- Has VR reached your expectations?

[ClintroN]

i dunno, the album didnt really impress me when i got it, some cool stuff but wasnt what it was all hyped up to be.

they were great live in OZ   dont get me wrong, but all rock bands are great live, overall for some reason it just doesnt work for me

I wish they got Bach

i reckon if they called all the shots and had no record comp. presure then i reckon we would of had a different singer and sound all together

[nesquick]

I agree with Jarmo. They targeted a very yound audience. I never recognized myself in VR. You know, GN'R was 10 times bigger and better back in the days so...
I don't think they are THAT much successfull, at least, certainely not in Europe. They did focus on the US, because in Europe,I can tell you? a few people know who VR are.
The "modern rock charts" is bullshit. I'm sorry but it doesn't count for me. There is just one valid charts: the official Top 40. VR never had a single in the Top 40. I also never heard VR on french radiostations.
Finally, 2 million copies worldwide isn't that much also (the music isn't that great though). You know, usher last album sold over 15 million copies... that's what i call a successfull album.

I can't say i'm satisfied by VR, but I can't say i'm totally desapointed also. To tell you the truth, when "Contraband" came out, I expected 10 million copies. Then i listened to it....my expectation quickly fell down at 5 million copies. Finally it sold 2 million copies.

My conclusion ----> Axl was the driving force of GN'R.

[makane]

I agree with Jarmo. They targeted a very yound audience. I never recognized myself in VR. You know, GN'R was 10 times bigger and better back in the days so...
I don't think they are THAT much successfull, at least, certainely not in Europe. They did focus on the US, because in Europe,I can tell you? a few people know who VR are.
The "modern rock charts" is bullshit. I'm sorry but it doesn't count for me. There is just one valid charts: the official Top 40. VR never had a single in the Top 40. I also never heard VR on french radiostations.
Finally, 2 million copies worldwide isn't that much also (the music isn't that great though). You know, usher last album sold over 15 million copies... that's what i call a successfull album.

I can't say i'm satisfied by VR, but I can't say i'm totally desapointed also. To tell you the truth, when "Contraband" came out, I expected 10 million copies. Then i listened to it....my expectation quickly fell down at 5 million copies. Finally it sold 2 million copies.

My conclusion ----> Axl was the driving force of GN'R.

Why do you care so much "how many copies it has sold"? musics greatness isn't determined by record sales/radio time.
Also, thanks for bringing Axl and GN'R into the discussion.

On a side note. I'm not trying to bash VR. The above simple represent some facts and some opinions about the band and its accomplishements. So please do not take this into another VR vs GNR. This is all just about VR, so stick to it please.

[badapple81]

I agree with Jarmo. They targeted a very yound audience. I never recognized myself in VR. You know, GN'R was 10 times bigger and better back in the days so...
I don't think they are THAT much successfull, at least, certainely not in Europe. They did focus on the US, because in Europe,I can tell you? a few people know who VR are.
The "modern rock charts" is bullshit. I'm sorry but it doesn't count for me. There is just one valid charts: the official Top 40. VR never had a single in the Top 40. I also never heard VR on french radiostations.
Finally, 2 million copies worldwide isn't that much also (the music isn't that great though). You know, usher last album sold over 15 million copies... that's what i call a successfull album.

I can't say i'm satisfied by VR, but I can't say i'm totally desapointed also. To tell you the truth, when "Contraband" came out, I expected 10 million copies. Then i listened to it....my expectation quickly fell down at 5 million copies. Finally it sold 2 million copies.

My conclusion ----> Axl was the driving force of GN'R.

I never expected 10 million copies! I think 2 million copies is some achievment.

[Megaguns]

VR Rule. I think it all happened at the right time for them, The second album is gonna be much much bigger. I can tell when i listen to come on come in, If thats the way its going.....I LOVE IT!!!!!!!!!!

[Bridge]

corrections, corrections, everywhere....

VR has sold 2 million copies in the U.S. alone.  The worldwide total is above 3 million.

[mikegiuliana]

I agree with Jarmo. They targeted a very yound audience. I never recognized myself in VR. You know, GN'R was 10 times bigger and better back in the days so...
I don't think they are THAT much successfull, at least, certainely not in Europe. They did focus on the US, because in Europe,I can tell you? a few people know who VR are.
The "modern rock charts" is bullshit. I'm sorry but it doesn't count for me. There is just one valid charts: the official Top 40. VR never had a single in the Top 40. I also never heard VR on french radiostations.
Finally, 2 million copies worldwide isn't that much also (the music isn't that great though). You know, usher last album sold over 15 million copies... that's what i call a successfull album.

I can't say i'm satisfied by VR, but I can't say i'm totally desapointed also. To tell you the truth, when "Contraband" came out, I expected 10 million copies. Then i listened to it....my expectation quickly fell down at 5 million copies. Finally it sold 2 million copies.

My conclusion ----> Axl was the driving force of GN'R.

woh woh woh.. You expected a project like vr to sell 10 million copies Come on now lets be serious who the hell is selling ten million copies anywhere.. Usher maybe sold 15 million world wide but he did more like 7-8 in the usa... But he is the biggest pop/r&B act in the world these days, plus his collaborations with other big artists like ludacris alicia keys and lil jon. The man is on trl all the time and gets tons of publicity...

You didn't like the album that's cool, but to say you expected 10 million copies is just bullshit to be honest... An impossible goal for some guys around 40 in their second career

[D]

I still listen to it at least once every two weeks, its in constant rotation with NIN's With Teeth,STP's Thank You Motley Crue Red White And Crue and Bon Jovi Have A Nice Day

I listen to one several times, get tired of it and alternate

So yeah its been very successful

Scott is still in his mid 30's I believe so he isnt what u would call old.


They did drop the ball with the singles but it seems the way things work now is, Radio and video stations give u heavy support for your first single and heavy support for your second single if the first one is huge but its like they move on to other artists after that.

There are exceptions, Green Day U2 but most of the bands dont have the 4 or 5 singles anymore like they use to for some reason.

I think they kick ass, I cant wait for the 2nd album and they have more than fulfilled my expectations.

[deliverthecow]

Expectations of 10 million. No rock band does that anymore. The days of your "Appetite For Destruction' and 'Hysteria's are long gone. As much as I hate to say it but MTV drives album sales and bands like VR just wont get on MTV. I mean Green Day has went through the roof and they dont even get on MTV too often. I remember when that is all you would see on MTV was bands like GnR, Leppard etc. They just wont touch rock these days. So for VR to sell 2 million albums here in the US that is pretty impressive. 

[Krispy Kreme]

It's been two years since the band got together. I can't remember whether the name had officialy been picked before the "El Rey" show or not, but in and out, I'd say it's been two years.

Time to look back now. This thread is about your input in whether the band has been successful and reached the expectations, or has not really leveled up with the hype it created.

We are not trying to review the album here - there's already a thread about that, not trying to review the shows here (another thread). Let's try to scracth the surface a bit.

Looking at facts, VR has achieved many things over the past 24 months.

- Debuted at number 1.
- Sold around 1,5 - 2 million copies
- Two number 1 singles all over the US (Modern Rock stations)
- One Grammy
- Featured in 3 different movie soundtracks
- Particpated in Live 8
- Toured the World in 15 months

Looking at those facts, we can say that VR has reached the most optimisitic expectations. The line up is solid despite a few arguments here and there, but looks like Scott has found the stability he needed and has become more reliable than I anticipated. The new album is due sometimes next year, so they have obviously shutted many people (myself included) who thought this band was not gonna last long.

Now let's try to point out other things that they were not so successful at:

Touring ---> Yes, the first tour was simply amazing. Sold out every venue in the US. However, the "Wonderland" tour has not sold out every venue. As a matter of fact, the venues were half empty (half full for the optimistic) in those smaller size markets.? Do you think it was a little too early to book an arena show? Also, VR has barely toured Europe. They did have a UK tour, but haven't really tour other places this year.

Promotion ---> VR public relations team has done a terrific job prior to the album release. VR was in every radio show all over the country. The hype created couldn't have been better. However, they could've done a bit more in Europe. Yes, the US market is their biggest priority, but Europe is still a strong market. Name recognition is important and VR is not well known here. The album did well in the UK, but I belive it hasn't even reached the top 20 in any other country. Maybe more touring or more TV appearances over here, could've push the album a bit more. What do you think?

Singles choices ---> The first two singles top the rock modern charts in America, but from that point onwards, the band hasn't really released a single. Apperantly DLT did get some radio play and so did suckert train blues, but label didn't really follow up on that. I still haven't seen the DLT video...I kinda believe VR faded away after the release of Falling To Pieces, they had a few more big guns (LTA, YGNR) but didn't really do anything with those.

Image ---> The image the band has tried to portrayed over the past few years doesn't reall match what the band is all about. Yes, this is a rock and roll band, a road band, but the element of "danger" they've self-proclaimed in many interviews, is no longer there. These guys are all married and well in their 40's...they could've just stick to their music instead of trying to fool people with their "dangerous" image.

Album re-re-re-releases ---> I'm not gonna review the album here.? How many times has the album been re-released? I don't know, but there album has been released many times with added new features (B-sides, dvds..) also, the three different covers (which i still think it ws a brilliant idea to get more sales of hard core fans) Do you guys think that was appropiate?

Fanbase ---> Does VR have a fanbase? let explain myself here. I don't know what VR will accomplish in the near future, but I have a feeling VR has accomplished as many things as they did because of the expectations they created. Everyone wanted to see what this band could do. But now that the album is been out for a while, touring is almost over..do you guys think VR has a strong fan base built from the scracth? (Former GNR and STP fans don't count)


So taking all this into consideration, do you think VR has succeeded? Do you disagree with any of their decissions (theirs or label)? Do you think next album is gonna sell well? Do we have VR for a while?


On a side note. I'm not trying to bash VR. The above simple represent some facts and some opinions about the band and its accomplishements. So please do not take this into another VR vs GNR. This is all just about VR, so stick to it please.

The answer is yes.
Almost all of the reviews  of fans say their live show is the best they have ever seen. I can attest to the fact that  they are simply awesome live. Saw them twice in 2004 and was blown away. Best I have seen in decades.

[Izzy]

Liked the album when i got it - but i think its rubbish now, and no longer have any interest in the band and won't be buying the follow up unless its radically different.

[Holy War]

Yeah I'd say Velvet Revolver reached my expectations.

(that wasn't a good thing) 

[killingvector]

I'd have to say no. The album just didn't stick to my bones. I'm happy for their success but the production on Contraband really killed it for me.