I, for one, was excited when I heard that Slash, Duff and Matt were teaming up for a new group. The first info out was that Josh Todd was to front the group. I had my reservations when I heard this because, while Todd has a powerful voice, he's not that dynamic of a singer. Apparently the group agreed and he was out of the running. Then a host of names were floated, included a longtime antiMusic favorite Kelly Shaefer, but ultimately the band made the surprising choice of Scott Weiland. I was a little shocked because of Weiland's troubles and explosive personality, but maybe they felt his voice was strong enough to overcome those shortcomings. 

Then the moment of truth arrived and we finally heard what this new supergroup sounded like and to be honest, I was under-whelmed. I wasn't expecting Guns N' Roses Pt II, but what I heard didn't make the sale and after a few spins, the CD was placed on the disappointment shelf to gather dust. I gave them another chance with their second CD and that was even more disappointing. The songs were strong, but the vocals just didn't have the power needed to make them shine. Velvet Revolver's music style calls for a lot more than the underpowered "Layne Staley lite" style of Stone Temple Pilots. 

I understand that a lot of people loved what Velvet Revolver had to offer. They heard something that I must have missed, but I'm sure that most would agree that VR hasn't come anywhere close to matching what Guns N' Roses did musically. I personally lay a lot of blame for that on the vocals. So for this Top 5 list, I look at the reasons why Axl is better than Weiland. 

5: Attitude - Axl may have an attitude at times, but it's mostly because he is a perfectionist and doesn't want to give less than 100%, which can cause problems with bandmates, whereas Weiland has an attitude because he's an a....

4: Power - When the song calls for it, Axl can take it PAST 11, whereas Weiland tends to top out around 6 1/2. 

3: Appreciation - Axl is pretty reclusive, but when he does go out in public, fans can approach him and he'll talk with them, take photos etc, whereas Weiland has been reported to tell fans that want autographs or photos that he "doesn't do eBay". Damn, I might have paid 50 cents for that autograph.

2: Quality - 'Appetite' is a classic that is still selling well today, whereas 'Core' etc are largely forgotten now that the Alice in Chain clone trend is over.

And the number one reason why Axl is better than Weiland...

Originality -Axl has a very unique and dynamic voice that is unmistakable, whereas we're heard Weiland's voice from a dozen bands and it's about as original as a Fox reality show.

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Rant or Rave? Your turn, post your comments and thoughts on this news item. But hey keep it clean, we wouldn't want to have to wash your mouth out with Old Spice.

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Posted by Keavin

A longtime reader saw this on one of the GN'R message boards in response to this article and emailed it over. Rather funny stuff. He didn't name the site or the poster's name. So sorry about not giving proper credit for this, but here goes:

There's only 5?

In at #6

Lyrical Ability:

Capt'n American's Been Torn Apart
He's a Court Jester with a Broken Heart - Axl

Randy: Dog, dog, dog, gotta tell you that was the bomb. Political, comic books. Listen to this, the greatest lyric of the 90s.

Paula (looks like shes sitting down but actually she's standing on her chair): Something about your....I have to say (left side of face twitches) You touched me in places...

Simon: Ok. Enough Paula, I think we get it...I know you won't believe me, that actually I thought that was one of your best lines, not your best but you'll still win Rock Idol.
 

Time Feels like I've been back in Jail
Like when I was doing time in the can - Scott

Randy: Yo, Yo, Yo. Scott Dude, is that even english. I produced Journey and... that you know, it just didn't do it for me, man. Sorry... You'll come back... Reform STD, I loved Poor, that record was da bomb.

Paula (pops from under table, Simon looks relieved): Oh, Scotty. You know I love you. I do. You send me to places, you know I love you. I just think...not your best, sorry (winks incomprehensibly). Oh c'mon!!!

Simon: If I'm honest, and I'll probably be crucified for this, that is one of the worst lyrics I ever heard. It sounded like one of those lines from a bad 50s gangster movies. Doing time in the can sounds like you on a toilet break. It was quite comical if I'm honest...

(Crowd Storms Stage) 

Posted by  Jesus Schwartz on 2008/03/27 18:30:58
On ArtistDirect.com, STP's biography says the band realized that they'd have a better chance of getting signed if they were to "sound like" other more popular bands. That may not all rest on Scott Weiland's shoulders, but there was another side project called Talk Show that involved the rest of STP that sounded little like the other stuff on the radio at the time (which may explain how it fell flat and has been long forgotten). Even if Weiland had a better voice, it wouldn't mask the fact that he's a runner-up. Even if you took "Appetite For Destruction" out of the equation, the four remaining G'n'R albums have more quality songs than everything Scott Weiland has collaborated on.

Posted by  Alon 2008/03/27 09:36:03
We all know Weiland can be an a**, but here are some questions for you. Has Weiland ever started a riot? How m any does Axl have, 3 or 4 now? Weiland may have missed some shows in his time, but how many times has Axl skipped a show? Have you ever listened to STP' "Tiny Music", Weiland proves his originality and vocal ability. Why do people still insist on comparing Weiland to other 90's singers like Eddie Vedder and now Layne Staley (which I never heard before, but you're probably comparing him to Layne cause of the drug problem)? STP formed in San Diego in the late 80's, around the same time AIC were and before Pearl Jam. So, how could Weiland steal their style? Are you really underwhlemed of VR just because of Weiland? I mean I'm sure that no one else in the band had anything to do with that. I think you're just that Weiland is still making music and Axl is locked up somehwere getting botox injections. 

Posted by  ozzyon 2008/03/27 02:07:18
Gotta say I can't disagree. VR was a huge disappointment.

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