CHINESE DEMOCRACY HAS ARRIVED. BUT WHERE THE FUCK IS AXL ROSE?
Wednesday, November 26th, 2008 at 10:50am by Vince Neilstein
The album we’ve waited 17 years for has finally arrived (stay put for our own Axl’s review later today). But where the fuck is Axl Rose? Typically when bands have an album coming out they like to do this little thing called “press” to help generate buzz and sell records. But Axl is nowhere to be seen, having not made a single public appearance or even so much as a statement since the album’s release date was announced. No press conferences, no music video, no interviews, no talk shows… NOTHING.
Perhaps Axl feels the press is generating enough buzz on their own, and to some extent he’s right (ahem, [[cough]]). But after 17 years and $13 million, wouldn’t he want to make the most of his one shot? For chrissakes, Guns N’ Roses haven’t even announced a tour yet. And he’s up against The Killers and Kanye for that coveted #1 spot.
Though Chinese Democracy is finally out, it seems Axl is still the same old recluse he’s always been. Maybe he’s done with fame, done with the spotlight, and just wants the music to speak for itself. Ah, who am I kidding; it’s only a matter of time.
-VN
I bet he wants to avoid the questions from the press about why it took so much time for the record to come out.Or maybe he’s just the same guy he’s always been.Not coming out of his hole when he doesn’t feel like being seen.It seems to be part of the guy’s temper.Showing up when he wants to,doing a full gig when he wants to…when his mood is not up to it,he just stays home.He can afford to behave this way I suppose.
But I hear the band is going to make an appearance at some Music Awards thing soon.Maybe he wants to keep himself in the dark until that occasion,giving the event some kind of exclusivity.
Either way,I’m not gonna watch this.Putting up with crappy music only to see a guy sing a bunch of new songs that probably aren’t this good…I have no time for that,and even if I did,I wouldn’t waste it this way.
I’m also looking forward to hear his reply about the 15-year delay.
Who gives a fuck why it took so long?We have all heard the stories.The point is that the album is actually out now and for sale.People own it.It is tangible.What are we going to crack jokes about now?
November 23, 2008 will forever be known as “The Day the Cynicism Died.”
I actually find it refreshing. GNR has had its day, and Axl knows it. At this point their legacy should speak for itself. Anything he says about the album can only adulterate our expectations, especially he has a tendency to be somewhat of a douchebag in interviews. Metallica’s efforts to cast their last four albums in a positive light have only served to bury them deeper in the rubble of their commercially-driven image.
good for him. there’s plenty of noise about the album without Axl’s personal involvement. AC/DC felt they had to launch big and take the money before minds changed/wallets closed – hence the huge promo onslaught. haven’t said this in a while: good for you Axl.
thank god, he’s almost single handedly brining back the mystique that used to make artists so intriguing in the first place.
Dude, he doesn’t have to do press releases or any type of promotion. He is Axl Freakin’ Rose!
Well, there already is a video for Chinese Democracy. No clue if it’s official or not though
http://www.gunsnroses.us/chinesedemocracy/
Quinn, I’ll venture to say that there is PLENTY to remain cynical about, including almost everything about GnR. The fact that the album actually was released means nothing, and we will find (and still have) lots of jokes to crack.
Drew, Axl is not single-handedly doing shit. He’s being a manic-depressive, borderline personality recluse. No “mystique” about it. He just doesn’t know how to handle the situation. And that’s fine, but he’s no rock crusader. He’s an aging rock star with a bunch of problems I could care less about, and I doubt I’m alone (and I’m no youngster).
It’s a nice album though, but callin’ it a GnR album is like calling a Blaze Bailey album an Iron Maiden album…all right I officially killed the lexical meaning of the word “album”
Oh! and I totally agree with Pick-Axe Bobby about Axl’s personality.
Happy Thanksgiving