News songs only generating mediocre reviews

[Tyson]

  Just wanted to talk about this for a minute.  Of the three San Fran reviews, 2 of them dismiss the new songs as either average or just so so.  This is certainly not a positive sign.  And from what I've heard, most audiences have not been really into most of the new material.   I just want some feedback on this topic in general.  Are most people on this board so biased and vicariously attached to Axl's success as an artist and entertainer that they have completely lost all objectivity?  I mean, are the leaks and new songs really that fucking good?  Or are we scared to admit that while most show promise and are good, they simply aren't great and are somewhat of a dissapointment?  I'm not exactly sure where I stand, though I know that no one can make that final judgement until that album is actually released. 

[Voodoochild]

Go read any review from 1991 before UYI's release. You'll see the same reaction...

[ryan_of_lax]

Why does it matter so much what the public thinks!
Every post here seems like it's being written by record company people.

If you like the song, who cares what other people think.

And why would anyone expect the new songs to get the same reaction as 20 year old songs at concerts? The new songs obviously won't hold up against Sweet Child O Mine or November Rain at concerts. When the CD comes out, things will change, but until then, its only the handful of Message Board Junkies at the shows that know the new songs.

[russtcb]

I know for me I had to listen to the new songs a few times to really get into them. IRS & Catcher still aren't that great for me. Better and TWAT on the other hand rank up there as some of the best Guns N' Roses songs IMO.

Now if I were a reviewer going into these shows unknowing of any of the new material, I might feel that they are mediocre since the ones that I do like took 4 or 5 listens before they grew on me.

[Skinflick]

? Just wanted to talk about this for a minute.? Of the three San Fran reviews, 2 of them dismiss the new songs as either average or just so so.? This is certainly not a positive sign.? And from what I've heard, most audiences have not been really into most of the new material.? ?I just want some feedback on this topic in general.? Are most people on this board so biased and vicariously attached to Axl's success as an artist and entertainer that they have completely lost all objectivity?? I mean, are the leaks and new songs really that fucking good?? Or are we scared to admit that while most show promise and are good, they simply aren't great and are somewhat of a dissapointment?? I'm not exactly sure where I stand, though I know that no one can make that final judgement until that album is actually released.?

The leaks themselves have gotten very good reviews....ck Rolling Stones Magazine from a few months ago.....But when they are performed live, I guess they don't have the same bite to the critics....who gives a fuck...they sound amazing to most of us and GNR is gaining new fans that go to their shows and that's all that matters....REMEMBER....APPETITE AND UYI got mixed reviews at first...then the public caught on and the critics follow like lost puppies spotting someone......the rest is HISTORY BABY!!!

[T_Roxie]

A lot of people haven't heard them yet...but most of those who have, even non-gnr fans i've played them to, like them.

[Gaymo, the Hobbit]

that's because those retarded fucks don't know anything about sophisticated music. just looks at the music indutry right now, and you'll know why.

[Chief]

yeah it takes a while to really take in the new material if you're a newbie.

but anyway i believe that a lot of their best songs are yet to be heard.  its crazy for me to believe that they would have played their top songs already!

[nesquick]

I'm not biaised, I'm neither a "yes fan". I've been a GN'R fan since 1991 and honnestly, I think the new songs sounded very good onstage.
The problem is not the new songs, but the band has to find its own identity, and it's even more difficult with 3 guitar players, especially when Tour after Tour the line-up can change at every moment.

[GeraldFord]

Think about it, some dude goes to the show and hears five new songs, alongside 15-20 year-old classics...do you really think they are going to say "wow, the new songs are the best the band has ever released!"?

Just wait until the album comes out, a few new songs have been around for a while, and the reviews will be better.

And yeah, check and see what reviewers said about UYI songs from the pre-UYI release shows.

[dman1991]

How bout the indiana show where november rain was still in development,  The crowd was enjoying it, but it didnt have the same response as nowadays.  When the uyi version came out, it had many new parts, lots of fills and the song took off.  Anyway what im sayin is that the songs will be alot thicker and fuller on the album and I believe will kick major ass.  Look at maddy, you can just tell theres gonna be like 20 things added to make the song perfect.

[Skinflick]

I'm not biaised, I'm neither a "yes fan". I've been a GN'R fan since 1991 and honnestly, I think the new songs sounded very good onstage.
The problem is not the new songs, but the band has to find its own identity, and it's even more difficult with 3 guitar players, especially when Tour after Tour the line-up can change at every moment.

A new cd will take care of all of that...only if it is successful...and it will be

[PJ]

I'm not biaised, I'm neither a "yes fan". I've been a GN'R fan since 1991 and honnestly, I think the new songs sounded very good onstage.
The problem is not the new songs, but the band has to find its own identity, and it's even more difficult with 3 guitar players, especially when Tour after Tour the line-up can change at every moment.

yeah the 3 guitarist are the problem there... 
lets blame them for everything!
bush is losing the war in irak... because GNR have 3 guitarist
france lost the soccer world cup.. because GNR have 3 guitarist
ashlee simpson cant sing... because GNR have 3 guitarist
 

[EFISH]

Well i was hooked from my very first listen of the new material, and thats all that matters to me.

[journey]

I can't speak for everyone, but I really enjoy the new songs. I listen to them everyday. It's not because I'm biased or whatever, I just considered them to quality songs, both lyrically and musically.

One reason why certain members of the audience may be non-responsive to the new stuff, is because they haven't heard it before. It's not like they play these songs on the radio. And some songs take a few listens before they're fully appreciated.

As for the critics, I think they have some biased issues of their own.

[-Jack-]

It's rare that people like songs they haven't heard before at concerts.

When I went to see RHCP I didn't really like alot of the new songs.. but after listening to em on the record im much more familar with them...

Songs live are usually accepted the best when people know them... just a general rule of thumb

[Axl4Prez2004]

Someone mentioned it earlier...look at the reactions to new songs played live before the UYI releases.  The new songs are amazing...There Was a Time, Better, The Blues, Maddy are classics in my eyes.  Absolute fucking classics and we haven't even heard the final versions!  IRS, CD, CITR are good and I'm totally psyched to hear them when I buy Chinese Democracy.  I'm also interested in a studio version of Rhiad.  I hope I don't see Silkworms on that CD jacket though!   

[Bono]

Just curious as to why this is a   dead horse topic? it's regarding the new songs right? And the reaction they are getting at the shows right?  Just curious.

Anyways I think the lack of reaction has alot to do with both aspects of it. firstly I don't believe the new songs are that great. They're good but that's about it in my opinion. Also alot of the fans at the show haven't heard these songs so obviously they aren't gonna have the same reaction to something like... say...  Better as they will when the opening chords of SCOM hit. It's just common sense. People will respond to what they know. it's just like in a bar. More people will dance to a popular song than to somthing  they have never heard before.

[GnR-NOW]

I read some where that during the beginning of the UYI tour, Axl ranted about theyre going to be playing alot of new material regardless of what people are saying.  Now, it was only a few months ago radio stations were playing IRS, Better, and TWAT on every hour.  So if they sucked, regardless of what people were saying, the radio wouldnt be playing them.