"Better" - "Download Now" review (RS)

[tHeElEcTrIcSiNtAr]

All in all though, I dont get Rolling Stone's review here. How they are saying that its like three different songs in one or whatever they said. The song's structure has always been the same, that hasnt changed. So I dont get why they say this: "There are several different guitar solos in wildly varying styles (from Tom Morello-esque bleeping to Slash-like lyricism), disparate sections that sometimes sound like altogether separate songs and at least three different Axl voices (creepy baby, sexy pop crooner, and heavy-metal she-devil)."

I mean all that stuff was in the first leak too, and when they reviewed the New Jersey show they called Better one of Axl's all time best songs. I mean they arent really bashing it, they still believe its a great song, I just dont know why they are acting like none of that stuff was on the other demo. There was still 2 guitar solos, disparate sections and Axl using three different voices. All that stuff is the same, so I dont see their point really.

[JuicySwoos]

Jackamo and the Mother Gooser are turning Pittman into a punchline. Although I applaud their adoration for the man, but jeeze, we get the point.

Oh, and I like the synths.

[redx]

I've never viewed Better as separate songs, although the way the song changes, it does feel like different sections cut n'pasted together. I liked the effect.

[Jackamo!]

Jackamo and the Mother Gooser are turning Pittman into a punchline. Although I applaud their adoration for the man, but jeeze, we get the point.

Oh, and I like the synths.

We're just showing love.

The two leaks of Better just show different sides of the song.
One of them just-so-happens to be synth heavy- which I like.
And that's what I'm saying, the instrument itself which has been around Gn'R for a while- is reaching new levels.

[The Dog]

That review is dead on.  The latest version is the worst one.  Theres just WAY too much going on.

[Jackamo!]

That review is dead on.  The latest version is the worst one.  Theres just WAY too much going on.

Do you think the songs from "Chinese Democracy" are gonna be basic cable with 35 channels? No chance- they're gonna be a satellite dish with 1,000's of channels and better porn.

[AxlRose4eva1]

Sometimes less is more.  The rolling stone review is dead on.  Better has always sounded like 3 songs cut together, but this is nothing new for GNR.  I would say over half of their songs sound like at least 2 songs cut together.(I mean some of the bigger ones on each album Rocket Queen, Patience, Coma, Locomotive)  It is the small things that hold them together, this seems to be a musical effect that Axl likes and I think it works well.  I didnt see this as a criticism by Rolling Stone, in fact I thought it sounded like a compliment.  Still, I think the new demo of better sounds overworked and I totally understand the belief that Axl should not add anymore to it.  I know BBF has said this isnt the version, but I hope the real version is stripped of layers, not with more.

[JuicySwoos]

Jackamo and the Mother Gooser are turning Pittman into a punchline. Although I applaud their adoration for the man, but jeeze, we get the point.

Oh, and I like the synths.

We're just showing love.

The two leaks of Better just show different sides of the song.
One of them just-so-happens to be synth heavy- which I like.
And that's what I'm saying, the instrument itself which has been around Gn'R for a while- is reaching new levels.

Better to show love than hate I guess!!

[bazgnr]

All in all though, I dont get Rolling Stone's review here. How they are saying that its like three different songs in one or whatever they said. The song's structure has always been the same, that hasnt changed. So I dont get why they say this: "There are several different guitar solos in wildly varying styles (from Tom Morello-esque bleeping to Slash-like lyricism), disparate sections that sometimes sound like altogether separate songs and at least three different Axl voices (creepy baby, sexy pop crooner, and heavy-metal she-devil)."

I mean all that stuff was in the first leak too, and when they reviewed the New Jersey show they called Better one of Axl's all time best songs. I mean they arent really bashing it, they still believe its a great song, I just dont know why they are acting like none of that stuff was on the other demo. There was still 2 guitar solos, disparate sections and Axl using three different voices. All that stuff is the same, so I dont see their point really.

I love both versions of the song, but I tend to agree with the review - the second leak has a cleaner mix with less guitar, which makes the other parts of the song stand out (the weird sounds and effects) while burying some others (Bucket's runs, for example).  With the guitars lower in the mix, it's much easier to view the songs as separate parts.  To me, each version has certain strengths, and I'm hoping there's a third version with mid-ground between the two.

The other part I agree with?  It's time to get the music out. 

[WARose]

both versions are the exact same songs except for the little lyric change.... they?re just differently mixed and the quality of the new one is better....

i don?t believe in a single release by the way. it just doesn?t make any sense.

[gnr_12]

All in all though, I dont get Rolling Stone's review here. How they are saying that its like three different songs in one or whatever they said. The song's structure has always been the same, that hasnt changed. So I dont get why they say this: "There are several different guitar solos in wildly varying styles (from Tom Morello-esque bleeping to Slash-like lyricism), disparate sections that sometimes sound like altogether separate songs and at least three different Axl voices (creepy baby, sexy pop crooner, and heavy-metal she-devil)."

I mean all that stuff was in the first leak too, and when they reviewed the New Jersey show they called Better one of Axl's all time best songs. I mean they arent really bashing it, they still believe its a great song, I just dont know why they are acting like none of that stuff was on the other demo. There was still 2 guitar solos, disparate sections and Axl using three different voices. All that stuff is the same, so I dont see their point really.

Honestly, I think the 3 songs in one point is more of a compliment than a put down.. i mean.. the thought of blending 3 songs into one is awesome.. its so creative.. sooo awesome... its not just one constant melody the whole time.. it changes, which makes the song likeable... different...  wild and thats why we all love it:

I love both versions of the song, but I tend to agree with the review - the second leak has a cleaner mix with less guitar, which makes the other parts of the song stand out (the weird sounds and effects) while burying some others (Bucket's runs, for example).  With the guitars lower in the mix, it's much easier to view the songs as separate parts.  To me, each version has certain strengths, and I'm hoping there's a third version with mid-ground between the two.

The other part I agree with?  It's time to get the music out. 

[D]

My only complaint with the new one is how they totally  neutered Bucket's shredding solo. it kicks ass on the first one, but the notes sound all mashed together and in the new one and it is way too low.

[slane92]

The latest leak is an unfinished, demo version of better.

Why worry about what RS says?

Trust that the band will get it right with the official, finished version. 

[Ganja4Life]

The latest leak is an unfinished, demo version of better.

Why worry about what RS says?

Trust that the band will get it right with the official, finished version.?

exactly

[SADIS]

What annoyed met with the first version and again with this one is that the vocals have clearly been recorded sentence by sentence. I sure as hell hope they make that smooth in the final version.

[Axl Rose's Guns]

I trust Rolling Stone, they get everything spot on, their sources are deep inside the music biz, Ive had ChiDem since November

[bringbackadler]

I'm hoping the final studio cut contains even MORE synth mixed in...

I think it's necessary for this song's success.   


*bba*

[ppbebe]

Ive had ChiDem since November

21st, nay?

[Voodoochild]

The final cut will have the same structure, but the better mix will make it flow nicely like any other GN'R song. I'm confident about that.

[darkmonth]

I just spliced both together ... Cut the new intro, and added the old version with the louder guitars on top of the main section with a -6db volume.  The whole mix sounds fatter, but still reatains some of the new elements. It ROCKS!