Post by AxlReznor on Nov 11, 2006 11:42:27 GMT
Since 1999, we've heard 10 new songs.
Oh My God
W. Axl Rose - Vocals
Dave Navarro - Lead guitar
Gary Sunshine - Lead guitar
Paul Tobias - Rhythm guitar
Tommy Stinson - Bass
Josh Freese - Drums
Dizzy Reed - Keyboards
Our first glimpse of Guns N' Roses since 1994's cover of Sympathy For The Devil, this track from the End Of Days movie soundtrack caused quite a shock to the system. Gone was the bluesy rock of old, and in its place was a modern, nu-metalesque sound. For this reason, I believe it's unfairly criticised. It may not sound like the Guns N' Roses we had gotten used to, but it's still a pretty strong effort from the opening drum machine, through to the verses and the solos. It does suffer a bit from Axl seemingly wanting to throw any sound he could think of into the mix, but it's not as bad as all that.
Rhiad & The Bedouins
First performed live by:
W. Axl Rose - Vocals
Buckethead - Lead & Rhythm guitar
Robin Finck - Lead & Rhythm guitar
Paul Tobias - Rhythm guitar
Tommy Stinson - Bass
Brain - Drums
Dizzy Reed - Keyboards
Chris Pitman - Synths
This is a strange one. I choose to believe that this was a work-in-progress when they played it between 2001 and 2002. There's an impressive solo, and a vocal line that shows much promise. But it didn't sound like Axl's knew what he was singing, and replaced a lot of words with "oh's" instead. Has been included in the options list for the set on the current US tour. Hopefully it's a completely reworked version.
Chinese Democracy
First performed live by:
W. Axl Rose - Vocals
Buckethead - Lead & Rhythm guitar
Robin Finck - Lead & Rhythm guitar
Paul Tobias - Rhythm guitar
Tommy Stinson - Bass
Brain - Drums
Dizzy Reed - Keyboards
Chris Pitman - Synths
The title track of the album, opens with a catchy riff and carries on with Axl singing in his baritone style. Inspired by watching Kundun, a movie about the Chinese invasion of Tibet. The strangest thing here, is that they were actually allowed to perform this in China.
One of the more impressive tracks to be played between the 2001 and 2002 dates, it's now been made heavier and sounds a lot better.
The Blues
First performed live by:
W. Axl Rose - Vocals/Piano
Buckethead - Lead & Rhythm guitar
Robin Finck - Lead & Rhythm guitar
Paul Tobias - Rhythm guitar
Tommy Stinson - Bass
Brain - Drums
Dizzy Reed - Keyboards
Chris Pitman - Synths
Probably the most popular of the new songs, The Blues is the track that sounds most like classic Guns N' Roses. Reminiscent of November Rain, the sensitive, piano-led ballad is a message for his old bandmates. Features Robin Finck's solo that is eerily similar to Slash. But that's just what I don't like about it. It's a very good song, it just feels to me like it should have been by the old band.
Silkworms
First performed live by:
W. Axl Rose - Vocals
Buckethead - Lead & Rhythm guitar
Robin Finck - Lead & Rhythm guitar
Paul Tobias - Rhythm guitar
Tommy Stinson - Bass
Brain - Drums
Dizzy Reed - Keyboards
Chris Pitman - Synths
Written by Dizzy Reed and Chris Pitman, this is truly the most bizarre Guns N' Roses track yet. In amongst all of the many sounds on display here is some industrial-sounding synths and guitars, drum n' bass programming, and I do believe I hear a bit of jazz in there too. I like to think of this track as a failed experiment... a result of the band's insistence on trying a bit of everything at least once.
Madagascar
First performed live by:
W. Axl Rose - Vocals
Buckethead - Lead & Rhythm guitar
Robin Finck - Lead & Rhythm guitar
Paul Tobias - Rhythm guitar
Tommy Stinson - Bass
Brain - Drums
Dizzy Reed - Keyboards
Chris Pitman - Synths
Until this year, the highlight of the new material. It captures perfectly the image of what Guns N' Roses would have sounded like if formed 10 years later. Opens with keyboards and an atmosphere-setting drumloop, which gradually gives way to Axl's melancholy vocals about how he's fed up with hearing he can't make it without the other band members. Then the guitars kick in, just as a montage of vocal samples from famous speeches and movies plays along with a solo, which builds up the adrenaline gradually until the final almost-orgasmic moment when Martin Luther King cries "free at last, free at last, thank god almighty, we are free at last!". All in all, an incredible song. Can't wait to hear the finished track.
Better
Leaked in 2006.
First performed live by:
W. Axl Rose - Vocals
Robin Finck - Lead & Rhythm guitar
Richard Fortus - Lead & Rhythm guitar
Ron Thal - Lead & Rhythm guitar
Tommy Stinson - Bass
Brain - Drums
Dizzy Reed - Keyboards
Chris Pitman - Synths
Out of all of the new songs, this seems to be the one that most of the fans love. Considering the amount of surprises it throws at you in its 4 minutes it's easy to see why. Starts off with a strange guitar effect, with Axl singing falsetto over the top before going into the first verse which gives you the impression that it's going to a mid-pace, nu-metal type song. And then out of nowhere comes the chorus - short and sweet, but making way for some truly bizarre twists and turns, which includes a lot of sweep-picking and ultra-fast shredding solos, a heavy-as-fuck, balls-out riff accompanied by Axl proving once and for all that no one can scream like him... and then, it all ends with a bluesy lead part accompanying the last verse, which is again mid-paced.
Surprisingly for a song with so many sudden changes in direction, all signs point to Better being the album's lead single.
T.W.A.T.
Leaked in 2006
First performed live by:
W. Axl Rose - Vocals
Robin Finck - Lead & Rhythm guitar
Richard Fortus - Lead & Rhythm guitar
Ron Thal - Lead & Rhythm guitar
Tommy Stinson - Bass
Brain - Drums
Dizzy Reed - Keyboards
Chris Pitman - Synths
Standing for There Was A Time, this song immediately took over from Madagascar as my favourite of the new material. Another drum-loop opens the track, along with a short keyboard part before moving into the song which showcases Axl's obvious talent with lyrics and melody. Then it's time to showcase the band's guitarists skill, with 3 solos accopanied by a choir-sung refrain, and with Axl backing. Nothing short of a masterpiece.
I.R.S.
Leaked onto radio in 2004
Leaked onto internet in 2006
First performed live by:
W. Axl Rose - Vocals
Robin Finck - Lead & Rhythm guitar
Richard Fortus - Lead & Rhythm guitar
Ron Thal - Lead & Rhythm guitar
Tommy Stinson - Bass
Brain - Drums
Dizzy Reed - Keyboards
Chris Pitman - Synths
At the live shows I've been to, this is the new song that got the strongest reaction from the crowd. Another song which showcases Axl's ability to bring multiple styles into one song, the intro includes Robin Finck's psychedelic lead which wouldn't sound too out-of-place in a Led Zeppelin song. And then spirals into another power-chord driven hard rock song, with Axl sounding angrier than he has done in years (I believe the lyrics are directed at Slash) which includes another bluesy lead break by Robin as well as another incredible solo later on (in live performances, Robin gets another solo too). This is the song which caused a Rolling Stone journalist to say the album is sounding like "Led Zeppelin's Physical Graffiti remixed by Trent Reznor". What more can I say?
Catcher In The Rye
Leaked in 2006
Performed by (not conclusive):
W. Axl Rose - Vocals
Brian May - Lead guitar
Paul Tobias - Rhythm guitar
Tommy Stinson - Bass
Josh Freese - Drums
Dizzy Reed - Keyboards
Chris Pitman - Synths
Probably the least impressive of all of the leaks from this year (though that's possibly because it isn't a finished track), this song sounds like a modern day version of Queen. Features some great lyrics by Axl, but everything else seems to be a bit lacking. Even the lead guitar by Queen's Brian May should be a lot more prominent. Saying that, it has grown on me with time... but if it's on the album, I'm hoping for a reworking.
Songs we know about we've yet to hear:
Sorry
Prostitute
If The World
General
Thyme
Leave Me Alone
Oklahoma
Seven
Oh My God
W. Axl Rose - Vocals
Dave Navarro - Lead guitar
Gary Sunshine - Lead guitar
Paul Tobias - Rhythm guitar
Tommy Stinson - Bass
Josh Freese - Drums
Dizzy Reed - Keyboards
Our first glimpse of Guns N' Roses since 1994's cover of Sympathy For The Devil, this track from the End Of Days movie soundtrack caused quite a shock to the system. Gone was the bluesy rock of old, and in its place was a modern, nu-metalesque sound. For this reason, I believe it's unfairly criticised. It may not sound like the Guns N' Roses we had gotten used to, but it's still a pretty strong effort from the opening drum machine, through to the verses and the solos. It does suffer a bit from Axl seemingly wanting to throw any sound he could think of into the mix, but it's not as bad as all that.
Rhiad & The Bedouins
First performed live by:
W. Axl Rose - Vocals
Buckethead - Lead & Rhythm guitar
Robin Finck - Lead & Rhythm guitar
Paul Tobias - Rhythm guitar
Tommy Stinson - Bass
Brain - Drums
Dizzy Reed - Keyboards
Chris Pitman - Synths
This is a strange one. I choose to believe that this was a work-in-progress when they played it between 2001 and 2002. There's an impressive solo, and a vocal line that shows much promise. But it didn't sound like Axl's knew what he was singing, and replaced a lot of words with "oh's" instead. Has been included in the options list for the set on the current US tour. Hopefully it's a completely reworked version.
Chinese Democracy
First performed live by:
W. Axl Rose - Vocals
Buckethead - Lead & Rhythm guitar
Robin Finck - Lead & Rhythm guitar
Paul Tobias - Rhythm guitar
Tommy Stinson - Bass
Brain - Drums
Dizzy Reed - Keyboards
Chris Pitman - Synths
The title track of the album, opens with a catchy riff and carries on with Axl singing in his baritone style. Inspired by watching Kundun, a movie about the Chinese invasion of Tibet. The strangest thing here, is that they were actually allowed to perform this in China.
One of the more impressive tracks to be played between the 2001 and 2002 dates, it's now been made heavier and sounds a lot better.
The Blues
First performed live by:
W. Axl Rose - Vocals/Piano
Buckethead - Lead & Rhythm guitar
Robin Finck - Lead & Rhythm guitar
Paul Tobias - Rhythm guitar
Tommy Stinson - Bass
Brain - Drums
Dizzy Reed - Keyboards
Chris Pitman - Synths
Probably the most popular of the new songs, The Blues is the track that sounds most like classic Guns N' Roses. Reminiscent of November Rain, the sensitive, piano-led ballad is a message for his old bandmates. Features Robin Finck's solo that is eerily similar to Slash. But that's just what I don't like about it. It's a very good song, it just feels to me like it should have been by the old band.
Silkworms
First performed live by:
W. Axl Rose - Vocals
Buckethead - Lead & Rhythm guitar
Robin Finck - Lead & Rhythm guitar
Paul Tobias - Rhythm guitar
Tommy Stinson - Bass
Brain - Drums
Dizzy Reed - Keyboards
Chris Pitman - Synths
Written by Dizzy Reed and Chris Pitman, this is truly the most bizarre Guns N' Roses track yet. In amongst all of the many sounds on display here is some industrial-sounding synths and guitars, drum n' bass programming, and I do believe I hear a bit of jazz in there too. I like to think of this track as a failed experiment... a result of the band's insistence on trying a bit of everything at least once.
Madagascar
First performed live by:
W. Axl Rose - Vocals
Buckethead - Lead & Rhythm guitar
Robin Finck - Lead & Rhythm guitar
Paul Tobias - Rhythm guitar
Tommy Stinson - Bass
Brain - Drums
Dizzy Reed - Keyboards
Chris Pitman - Synths
Until this year, the highlight of the new material. It captures perfectly the image of what Guns N' Roses would have sounded like if formed 10 years later. Opens with keyboards and an atmosphere-setting drumloop, which gradually gives way to Axl's melancholy vocals about how he's fed up with hearing he can't make it without the other band members. Then the guitars kick in, just as a montage of vocal samples from famous speeches and movies plays along with a solo, which builds up the adrenaline gradually until the final almost-orgasmic moment when Martin Luther King cries "free at last, free at last, thank god almighty, we are free at last!". All in all, an incredible song. Can't wait to hear the finished track.
Better
Leaked in 2006.
First performed live by:
W. Axl Rose - Vocals
Robin Finck - Lead & Rhythm guitar
Richard Fortus - Lead & Rhythm guitar
Ron Thal - Lead & Rhythm guitar
Tommy Stinson - Bass
Brain - Drums
Dizzy Reed - Keyboards
Chris Pitman - Synths
Out of all of the new songs, this seems to be the one that most of the fans love. Considering the amount of surprises it throws at you in its 4 minutes it's easy to see why. Starts off with a strange guitar effect, with Axl singing falsetto over the top before going into the first verse which gives you the impression that it's going to a mid-pace, nu-metal type song. And then out of nowhere comes the chorus - short and sweet, but making way for some truly bizarre twists and turns, which includes a lot of sweep-picking and ultra-fast shredding solos, a heavy-as-fuck, balls-out riff accompanied by Axl proving once and for all that no one can scream like him... and then, it all ends with a bluesy lead part accompanying the last verse, which is again mid-paced.
Surprisingly for a song with so many sudden changes in direction, all signs point to Better being the album's lead single.
T.W.A.T.
Leaked in 2006
First performed live by:
W. Axl Rose - Vocals
Robin Finck - Lead & Rhythm guitar
Richard Fortus - Lead & Rhythm guitar
Ron Thal - Lead & Rhythm guitar
Tommy Stinson - Bass
Brain - Drums
Dizzy Reed - Keyboards
Chris Pitman - Synths
Standing for There Was A Time, this song immediately took over from Madagascar as my favourite of the new material. Another drum-loop opens the track, along with a short keyboard part before moving into the song which showcases Axl's obvious talent with lyrics and melody. Then it's time to showcase the band's guitarists skill, with 3 solos accopanied by a choir-sung refrain, and with Axl backing. Nothing short of a masterpiece.
I.R.S.
Leaked onto radio in 2004
Leaked onto internet in 2006
First performed live by:
W. Axl Rose - Vocals
Robin Finck - Lead & Rhythm guitar
Richard Fortus - Lead & Rhythm guitar
Ron Thal - Lead & Rhythm guitar
Tommy Stinson - Bass
Brain - Drums
Dizzy Reed - Keyboards
Chris Pitman - Synths
At the live shows I've been to, this is the new song that got the strongest reaction from the crowd. Another song which showcases Axl's ability to bring multiple styles into one song, the intro includes Robin Finck's psychedelic lead which wouldn't sound too out-of-place in a Led Zeppelin song. And then spirals into another power-chord driven hard rock song, with Axl sounding angrier than he has done in years (I believe the lyrics are directed at Slash) which includes another bluesy lead break by Robin as well as another incredible solo later on (in live performances, Robin gets another solo too). This is the song which caused a Rolling Stone journalist to say the album is sounding like "Led Zeppelin's Physical Graffiti remixed by Trent Reznor". What more can I say?
Catcher In The Rye
Leaked in 2006
Performed by (not conclusive):
W. Axl Rose - Vocals
Brian May - Lead guitar
Paul Tobias - Rhythm guitar
Tommy Stinson - Bass
Josh Freese - Drums
Dizzy Reed - Keyboards
Chris Pitman - Synths
Probably the least impressive of all of the leaks from this year (though that's possibly because it isn't a finished track), this song sounds like a modern day version of Queen. Features some great lyrics by Axl, but everything else seems to be a bit lacking. Even the lead guitar by Queen's Brian May should be a lot more prominent. Saying that, it has grown on me with time... but if it's on the album, I'm hoping for a reworking.
Songs we know about we've yet to hear:
Sorry
Prostitute
If The World
General
Thyme
Leave Me Alone
Oklahoma
Seven
