Not sure what it would take to pass the so called "test" in Axl's/managements eyes.  Do people have to say, "it's the best song I've ever heard."  "It's vintage GNR."  Will, "it's good, different, but good" suffice?  Not sure about the whole testing thing either.  Doesn't seem like a good way to plan.  You should have faith and confidence in the material and let it stand on its own.  Not wait to hear initial input to find out if it appeals to the public.

I just don't see a reunion happening any time soon.  I find it hard to believe that Axl would work this hard and long to pretty much admit failure that he couldn't do it without the guys who walked out on him over 10 years ago.  Doesn't make sense to me, and I think he's to proud a man to admit defeat.  I think a reunion somewhere down the road could be possible, after he tires of the current lineup or vice versa, which has already happened in a sense with Bucket, Brain, Robin, etc.
It just makes absolutely no sense to release CD with the new band, and turn around and reunite with the old band.  Where's the logic in that?  I know that's what some people WANT to happen, but let's be realistic.  Then again, nothing concerning GNR is realistic.

You're a Raider fan, right James?  What happened to Jordan the last 2 years?  Was it just a case of him playing for a hapless team, no offense.  Kind of like what Randy Moss went through.

Maroney showed flashes towards the end of last season.  They leaned on him more heavily down the stretch, until the Super Bowl of course when they reverted back to the passing game despite the fact that Brady got knocked on his ass repeatedly (sorry it still hurts).  He was more effective his rookie year when he split time with Corey Dillon so it's still not clear whether he can be a #1 back in the NFL.  Last season, Sammy Morris was the more productive back before he got injured and went on IR.  But again, Maroney has a lot of talent and showed that late in the season.  Lots of teams have gone the route of having 2 to 3 good RB's and rotating them, keeping them fresh.  I think it's a good, under the radar signing.

Thank god you beat me to it, I watched it for about a minute before I read your post then just gave up.  Not sure what that was supposed to be.

I didn't hear, or read, Axl calling the tracks filler.  I have read some posts about how Axl laughed at the leaks though, along the lines that the quality was poor and they were clearly demos and nowhere near the finished product.  I do remember TWAT, Better, and The Blues being mentioned by Axl in an article as some of his favorites.  So while they may not be among the best of the bunch, they seem to be in his eyes.