Wagszilla wrote:

It's nice to see Axl out there.

FlashFlood wrote:

Kind of amazing how as soon as Axl gets back with Slash his public approval rating skyrockets.

Reductive.

Billy Joel didn't invite Axl on stage because he loved the Appetite for Democracy DVD...

I think the older Axl gets the less expectations there are.

Once artists are in mid 50s, then 60s and 70s the expectation is always "well, they aren't young anymore but this doesn't entirely suck". Think of records by Aerosmith and Ac/Dc and similar acts. There's always the reviewers who shit pan it going on about how this isn't the 70s and 80s and the last 5 records sucked, then there's the reviewers who will call it a return to form.

Importantly, I just don't think anyone cares anymore, Axl's history is too big to fail now. Like all you have to do is look at the CD era. In 30 years or so he put out one record in a mostly different genre with a different band, and yet he's still welcomed with loving open arms back into the mainstream press for the reunion tour. No one cares -they just love old GNR. They could do a new record and it could suck - and the pundits will come out of the woodwork and be like "well, it's been shit since Izzy walked" or it could be genius and they'll write about how Axl has always been the last of the rock gods. But it doesn't really matter cos the pop crowed will ignore it and the rock crowed will go out and listen to it whatever happens. So like what is the real pressure these days? No one really expects a guy in his 50s is going to drop AFD2 now.

As for Axl/Dc - Axl was pretty happy to just record without writing for Sebastian on Angel Down. Although I get the impression Bon Scott is close to his heart so he'd be keen to do it well - I can imagine it might be easier to not have to write a full album of pre-prepared riffs.

For the record, Brian before his current hearing issues, was one of the top front men of all time. It's such an urban legend that Ac/Dc was only good with Bon, brian was damn well killer.