Before i launch into discussion i'd first like to say i love the leaks, all of them basically, except 'if the world'. i cannot commend Axl enough for having the balls to move forward in the manner in which he did.
i was thinking to myself about the links and the musical direction the leaks have taken and a thought struck me.
as i thought of the many arguments i use to rebuke anti-axl illiterate idiots on youtube etc. i realised that the basis of many of my arguments is that Axl is not attempting to recreate blues-based hardrock, hes moving forward whether it be through the use of industrial sounds or anything else, and that is a good thing(which i think it is) however what would happen if he did? i don't mean totally replicate it, eg.motley crue, which would only serve to portray him as a pathetic washed up 80's rocker. what i mean is transform and evolve the type of music that made him and GNR famous. Axl has surrounded himself with some of the best musicians available in the 21st century, there is no reason he could not accomplish this feat. keep in mind, i am not saying he should, i am just putting the concept forward so others may discuss it with me. try to imagine a 21st century hard rocker in the style of welcome to the jungle or nightrain, i tried to avoid saying it but, SCOM. i think 'catcher in the rye is the closest thing to this so far, it feels to me like an updated version of november rain or don't cry, and in my opinion, both musically and lyrically, catcher is the best of the leaks.
i also acknowledge that we have heard a small sample of the alleged 30+ songs that Axl and the new band have recorded, but i couldn't help but ask what if? what if Axl stayed, even a little, closer to the roots of GNR, to evolve and develop that classic sound? i'd say we may have heard(are yet to hear?) more catcher in the rye-esq songs which, in my opinion, would be a better move on Axl's part.
