Dec 02 2008
Axl Rose Blamed For Poor Chinese Democracy Sales
Geffen records are blaming Axl Rose for the disappointing first week sales of the new Guns ‘N’ Roses album Chinese Democracy.
According to The Sun newspaper in the UK, a Geffen insider said: “Everyone knows Axl is a bit of a maverick genius and won’t do anything he doesn’t want to do.
“The label is really glad to have him back. But it is frustrating because the album would have had a much better chance of going to No1 if he had only been prepared to show his face.
“People have been trying to contact him for two months and he’s been completely AWOL.
“You would have thought after spending 15 years on an album you might do a few weeks promotion.”
Chinese Democracy missed the top spot in the album charts in both the USA and the UK. Having your album come in at No2 would not usually be cause for alarm, but after spending 15 years and an estimated 50 gazillion dollars making Chinese Democracy, Geffen is understandably worried about sales numbers.
Taking a look at recent No1 albums from Metallica and AC/DC, the Rockblog notices that both those bands announced US tour dates approximately a month before their new albums were released. AC/DC then announced European tour dates the week before Black Ice went on sale and Metallica about a month after Death Magnetic hit the streets, though they did play release parties in London and Berlin. So far, there has been no news of a Guns ‘N’ Roses tour to promote Chinese Democracy.
It also doesn’t help that Chinese Democracy is not a very good rock album. Over 8 million people listened to the album feed on the band’s Myspace page. How many of them felt the same way as the Rockblog? Chinese Democracy is not what they were hoping for from a Guns ‘N’ Roses album.
The Sun article says Axl Rose is rumoured to be trying to get the old band back together. They report Izzy Stradlin is keen to see the original lineup back together. Steven Adler has also announced his interest in getting back together with his former Guns ‘N’ Roses bandmates. Velvet Revolver is currently without a singer and were reportedly asked to be released from their record contract, so Slash and Duff McKagan look like they could be available.
Let’s hope Axl has been neglecting his promoting duties to get Guns ‘N’ Roses back together to do some serious rocking. Whatever Axl does, he better do it quick. The world will not wait another 15 years for a Guns ‘N’ Roses album and the Rockblog can’t imagine any record companies spending the GDP of a medium sized country to get it recorded.
Look up recent pictures of Axl. Man, that guy is fucking HIDEOUS. From what I’ve heard of the new album, it’s terrible.
The album is genius. Sales do not equal quality. Is it AFD? No. It’s different, new and completely amazing. Get off your narrow-minded high horses and take the piece of shit known as Death Magnetic out of the player.
I Love The Album, But I’d Love It More If It Wasent Under The Name ‘Guns N’ Roses’ Because It’s Not.
If Axl Does Get The Original Line Up Together, It Will Be The Best Day Of My Life. I Cried With Happiness When I Heard The Rumours- No Joke.
I Guess Everyones Gunna Slag Off Axl In Here, But I Don’t Care. I Mean, Can You Imagine Guns N’ Roses Without Axl Rose As A Vocalist?
No.
He Brought Us The Songs We Fucking Love.
And If He Is Getting The Original Band Together, What A Fucking Amazing Man.
I Don’t Care If You All Hate Him, I’ll Always Love Him.
I’m Aware Of What He’s Done In The Past, But Thats
AXL
FUCKING
ROSE.
His Anger Is What Makes Him An Amazing Song Writer, And Also Helped Them Get Signed In The Early Days When He Released So Much Anger And Passion On Stage.
Im Gunna Stop Now…
Mmmmmmmmm Guns N’ Roses.
overall, the album is incredible - anyone who waits 15 years for something will be slightly disappointed after all the hype has built their expectations to a ridiculous level of absolute perfection. No album is perfect or the best, but if you really spend some time with it, you’ll notice how eclectic it really is. Axl has managed to create a body of work that keeps up with an industry that has changed dramatically over 15 years. That in itself is amazing. If I were Axl, I’d be proud to have the #3 spot. Try finding another artist that hit #3 after 15 years of seclusion.