Does Axl make songs sound better than they actually are?

[Atillla]

I was just replying in another thread and I believe this to be the case. His voice is so unique and the singing melodies he comes up with make the songs (or rather, the only instruments music) sound better than they actually are.

Take for instance Nightrain, one of my favs, especially live, (the studio version sounds dry to me). Take away the vocals, all of them and what you have is an average drunken Aerosmith jam. Nothing noteworthy to me personally. The vocals make that song unique. Ofcourse the vocals wouldn't be there if the music wasn't there first, I am a writing and performing musician myself, so I understand that but I am not talking about that.

Or take The Blues, take away the vocals. You got some chordprogressions that anyone could and does write on a daily basis. Axl's vocals make that song unique.

I am not an Axl fanboy, just a casual listener to GnR so obviousy many die-hards will disagree (the band makes the songs stuff), but seriously, take away Axl's vocals... what do you end up with?

[Voodoochild]

Keep in mind that chord progressions is not what makes the melody alone. The arrangements, the solos, the fills...

Of course Axl's voice makes the songs sounding so unique, but IMO the instrumental of all the incarnations  are top notch. Two of my favorite parts of all gnr songs are the ending of Locomotive (which is almost a long solo with just a casual vocalization) and Robin's solo in Better.

[rockNroses]

TWAT could be sung by Amy Winehouse or Madonna and it would still sound fantastic.

Think of Robert Plant or Ozzy singing RHIAD - it would work.

So I think Axl is quite underrated as a composer and songwriter, not as a singer.

[Atillla]

Yes, considering the vocal melodies were written by Axl, which is what I also mentioned. His voice and the melodies he comes ups with makes the songs sound better I think.

And the outro of Locomotive is one of the best of GnR, agreed.

[gunns1]

TWAT could be sung by Amy Winehouse or Madonna and it would still sound fantastic.

Think of Robert Plant or Ozzy singing RHIAD - it would work.

So I think Axl is quite underrated as a composer and songwriter, not as a singer.

Im sorry, but I think thats complety crap,
axl makes gnr songs sound like gnr, you couldnt have another singer sing them,
hes voice has so many different styles and falsettos/tones etc
that you couldnt replace it with anyone else..

take for example the current supposedly "leak" thats floating around on youtube, "checkmate"
merk said it isnt gnr, but you can tell from that signature voice its axl,

Axl makes the songs special, I listen to his voice in songs , 2nd. solos/instruments, simple as that



btw, Why do alot of people like catcher in the rye?
Its got very simple instruments and guitar in it, but its some peoples favourite new gnr song,
would it be because of axls melodies and voice?
and could Ozzy or Robert plant sing this song as good as him?

[Wooody]

TWAT could be sung by Amy Winehouse or Madonna and it would still sound fantastic.

Think of Robert Plant or Ozzy singing RHIAD - it would work.

So I think Axl is quite underrated as a composer and songwriter, not as a singer.

ah, but TWAT is an Axl song...
Ive also had the same thought as Attila... Ive always thought some songs (not estranged, or november rain, or the truely musically amazing songs)  where great because of the vocals and the lyrics. Have you heard some of the demos sung by izzy ?  I love izzy but Damn those songs kinda suck !  with axl singing them they have a whole different vibe, and he takes them to a whole different level. OF course it can't hurt to have slash's solos,  I agree with attila that some songs are simple songs (chord progression, etc) and sound nothing special without axl, and I also agree with rocknroses that some songs could do without axl, but that is only because they stand on their own because of  how marvelous their melody is.

[mrbucketfoot]

Most of the songs are incredible compositions, however I do think that Axl's voice lends itself well to the song and lyrics.

We haven't heard a good "Sweet Child O' Mine" cover ever because Axl's unique talent. It's a very interesting voice and what I've always loved about GNR (and Axl) is that his voice is very genuine. Most who come from music school are focused on vocal perfection and and following the formula that they learned, they lose a genuine truth to their sound and their music. Art isn't formulaic. There may be guidelines, but those can always be strayed from.

[ty182]

Yeah, one thing to keep in mind is that at this point Axl most likely has a hand in writing/composing each and every song that is recorded. In old GN'R days, entire songs might be written by Izzy/Slash, or Izzy/Duff, or even Slash/Axl. So, anything that is recorded by the new-age GN'R is most likely put together by Axl (in the end - ie: even if the rest of the band puts together a tune, Axl probably has some tweaks for it to make it to his liking).

[D]

AFD is so great cause u have excellent vocals, Top notch riffs and solos plus Duff and Steven are SOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO Underrated in what they bring to the table as far as the rhythm section goes. The swing like groove they have going is something I havent ever heard since and those songs are almost danceable and that is what is really missing with UYI's and other stuff.

Hopefully CD will carry on great solos mixed with Axls brilliant vocals and melodies.

[Thyme]

Keep in mind that chord progressions is not what makes the melody alone. The arrangements, the solos, the fills...

Of course Axl's voice makes the songs sounding so unique, but IMO the instrumental of all the incarnations  are top notch. Two of my favorite parts of all gnr songs are the ending of Locomotive (which is almost a long solo with just a casual vocalization) and Robin's solo in Better.

I'm with you Voodoo - Robin's solo is amazing - simple but played with great feel

[lynn1961]

Looking at the original question, I'd say "no".  Are you kidding?  Axl's voice can be great!  But does it make it sound better?  Listen to SCOM, live, especially the intro......my ears hurt.  His voice is unique.  He's one of the greatest frontmen/lead singers of our lifetime.    

However, I could stand listening to Coma or Locomotive without the vocals over it.   An "average drunken Aerosmith jam"?   What?  Sometimes, take away the vocals, and you have an awesome musical jam behind it.  That's just me, though, and what I think.    

[Voodoochild]

I think Axl was lucky and conscious enough to be with great musicians such as Izzy, Slash, Robin, Bucket, Ron... IMO, I love GNR songs A LOT because of the instrumental, as its what I pay attention the most because I play guitar (and that sucks sometimes). For me is often kinda hard to really focus on the vocals. That's why I love the new band too, not just because of Axl.

For example, I like the three songs with Axl on Angel Down, but because of Axl. I don't like that style of music tho. Anyways, the point is that GNR songs are what they are because of the sum of everything, otherwise would be just like the Angel Down tracks to me.

[metallex78]

I think Axl's voice most definitely makes certain songs sound better than what they are, and I think on the new GN'R tracks this where it is most noticable too. I think if you take Axl's vocals off there, the songs are definitely taken down a notch. Which isn't to say the songs aren't good, I think they are great, but Axl's vocals really take them that extra level.

Oh, and I have to disagree with you though that Nightrain is not very good without Axl's vocals. That guitar playing is pure ear-candy to me.

[horsey]

look at knockin on heavens door,ive never herd it so good.yes bob dylan's was good but axl made it great.and alot of other's as well.so i gotta say hell yeah !

[Randy Jesus]

I think Axl's voice most definitely makes certain songs sound better than what they are, and I think on the new GN'R tracks this where it is most noticable too. I think if you take Axl's vocals off there, the songs are definitely taken down a notch. Which isn't to say the songs aren't good, I think they are great, but Axl's vocals really take them that extra level.

Oh, and I have to disagree with you though that Nightrain is not very good without Axl's vocals. That guitar playing is pure ear-candy to me.

Axl does make songs better, look at Scott (one of my favorite singer/ songwriters) when he sings GNR material it is taken down several levels (even with slash). I think that we can all agree that Axl was the one who made GNR dynamic dispite the great talent that was with the band and the great talent that is currently with the band.

[Mutherfunker]

Haha - does anyone not see what a ridiculous question this is?
 
I'd be really upset and shocked if I found that the songs were just as good without Axl. If that was the case he'd be useless and talentless.

Dear God, what passes for a discussion on here sometimes! It's like saying - "Does Slash make the songs sound better than they would be without him?"....

@#$%Funker

[vanilie]

It's like saying - "Does Slash make the songs sound better than they would be without him?"....

my answer is no...

an example : BH modified a little bit the solo at the end of november rain and it was enough to make it better and it sounded greater than slash's one.

I am not saying that BH is better slash, it is not the matter but sometimes, the cover could be better than the original.

and about Axl, yes, I agree, his voice and talent are irreplaceable.

[ppbebe]

For sure yes. The same is true with any other part. guitars, bass, drums keyboards effects arrangements and so on take the bass out from wttj the song will sound weaker.
Every part every note in there is to make a song sound better. If not it shouldn?t be there. Anything Superfluous can ruin the song.

if the music is the body of a song, vocals give the spirit to it.
I find the instrumental demos of the new songs amazing, which was unexpected. in most cases vocal music sounds boring or silly without vocal. imagine an Amy Winehouse or a Madonna song without vocals. But That's ok because it's supposed to be completed with vocals.
Anyway those GNR instrumentals sound already very fine pieces of music.  I think axl said to the effect that it was like competing against the impregnable thick walls of sounds to add his parts to them. It must have been very tough  but judging from the songs with his vocals the outcome is so massively grand.

Most who come from music school are focused on vocal perfection and and following the formula that they learned, they lose a genuine truth to their sound and their music. Art isn't formulaic. There may be guidelines, but those can always be strayed from.

I think chris and richard went to kinda music school and bff even teaches. some of cd songs are orchestrated by the people from music school.

[Smoking Guns]

Axl and Slash had the ability to take average songs to new levels with a killer guitar solo or awesome vocals. 

For Slash, look at KOHD or Sweet Child, where would they be with out the solos?

For Axl, the outro vocal on Its So Easy!!! The passion, the power, the anger.  It had it all.  Few could bring that feeling!

[ppbebe]

Axl and Slash had the ability to take average songs to new levels with a killer guitar solo or awesome vocals. 

who made the 'average' songs I wonder.