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This sounds cliche, however, you really do have to listen to this album a few times to truly appreciate it. It is overproduced for sure, but not overly distracting, Axl is a victim of his own perfectionism. This album sounds like a perfect transition from the Use Your Illusion albums, but to me, it doesn't sound dated. It cracks me up to listen to people say that it isn't G N R; that it doesn't sound like them at all, but you know those same people would be critical if it sounded the same or tried to hard to be the next Appetite. Axl has grown musically and it is definitely represented with this album. Like it or not, Axl is G N R. If you need proof, just listen to Scott Weiland singing any G N R tune live with Velvet Revolver, which is 3/5 G N R, not good at all. Motley Crue tried to be Motley without Vince Neil and that didn't work out too well. Give this album a few listens before judging it; it is actually very good. The world is a better place with this album in it.
What's great about it: Great to hear Axl singing new stuff 4+
What's not so great: a little mellow, but still great