Guns and Redemptions

Let's discuss GnR for a few minutes...

I told a freind yesterday that I hadn't been into GnR this heavy since 1987. She laughed at this silly statement. It sounds funny to me to say it. Unfortunately, I was serious, which is worse than funny. It just may make me a bit old.

I believe GnR creeped back into my subconcense based on 3 recent things:

1. I watched Duff McKagan's strange adaptation of his book "It's so easy, and other lies" on Netflix during a sleepless night.
2. I purchased a GnR t-shirt at Target (based on fit, which is a big deal for me).
3. XM started a Guns n Roses channel.

Mix that all up, and here we are, in fan mode, for the first time in many, many, many, years. I am pleasantly surprised how good the band sounds, save Axl Rose, who is aging pretty badly vocally, but only in his middle voice. His highs are schreechy, and his lows are as deep and campy as ever. This is a critique based on the live broadcast from NYC on 07/20, replayed all last weekend on XM.

I have spent many years bashing Axl. The rock community at large did the same. We all had reason. From weird dreadlocks, scattered asshole appearances, guitar player change-ups, 17 year L.P. cycles, fat Axl, and so on, he did nothing to swing public opinion to his favor.

I have decided to give Axl an overdue pass. I am man enough to admit when I was wrong. Axl's biggest problem is also a huge asset. He refuses to do press. I can now see that with no press exposure, we have no idea of his day to day, week to week, or year to year. He became something of a parachute rock star of sorts. He wore whatever he was into on his sleeve, unapologetically, and kept on trucking. Most importantly, he did not give up on GnR.

We have seen the tales of how Axl is perceived to be the bad guy. It's documented how he forced control of the band into his own hands away from the other members, which sounds dirty, but maybe, just maybe, it was a move that was absolutely needed at the time.

Slash: An alcoholic drug addict.
Duff: Drug addict.
Adler: Drug addict
Izzy: recluse and possible addict?

Axl saw the band (and his mates) falling apart, forcing him to take control. He needed to save the legacy, his job, and quite frankly, an enterprise, from failing. And he did. Was it greed driven? Sure, but smart business. Why should GnR fail because of the excesses of rock stardom consuming his bandmates? I remember reading Slash saying he did not care for the "Spaghetti Incident" line-up. Complaining about chemistry, and how it was the.lasr straw, but was he in a place to have a say in picking a permanent replacement for Izzy? No. Hell no, but he felt shunned and quit. I am sure Axl did not want that, but relationships suck, and sometimes moving on is all you can do.

Remember the story of Slash going to Axls house after Velvet Revolver was formed? Axl turned him away, and made some press release statement about Slash bashing Scott Weiland. Slash was trying to get GnR back together at the time. I am sure that is a true story. However, Axl had every right to be bitter. Slash was sober at the time, and that's awesome, but penance is paid for with hard work, which Slash had not completed. From that point forward, you can see Slash's rise to good graces. The book, the solo L.P., The Conspirators,  the RnRHOF, large solo tours, and mostly, the respect shown toward his former band and it's leader, W. Axl Rose in the press.

Which leads me to say some nice things about Slash. Axl probably understands how important Slash is. With Axl being such a recluse, the contrast of Slash being one of the most recognizable musicians on the planet is good for his business. Aside from that, he is a great guitar player. One of the best rock guitar players of all time. His tone is instantly recognizable, and his feel is beautiful. I know the guitar players coming after Slash were technical masters, and some of the best in the business, but none will ever be as epic as Slash.

As far as Duff goes, I think his redemption was equally needed, and as equally cool. His stock rose in the years away also. He carries himself and his brand with dignity. His success away from GnR came from the financial world, and a second life is a great story in itself.

Adler is a work in progress. I think they would be more willing to give him a larger stake if he keeps upward mobility in life. Again, penance is hard work. Make yourself invaluable, and the phone will ring. I enjoyed his caveman drum style. He may not be ready for prime time again, it's Peter Chris over again in a way, but he is a good guy with a child like presence.

Izzy. Where's Izzy? Come home Izzy, but only if you are still Izzy. The boys, and the world, could use some cool.

Until then, Richard and Frank deserve the spotlight. They absolutely earned it. As do Dizzy and the new girl. GnR sounds like GnR again. What a good thing.

Lastly, the band sounds good. Like, really good. It's raw, yet professionally so. Velvet Revolver never sounded that good. Neither did Slash solo, Duff solo or GnR post Slash. It's strange to think of GnR as a nostalgic act, but they are, and that's ok. They earned their place through years of sweat. Even Axl's star has risen. So after 2 decades of hatin' on you, today, I say: Axl, thank you for keeping the ship floating. Good job, man.

Nago.