I'm not much of a critic, but to me, it's very generic-sounding, both lyrically and musically, and Axl sounds terrible in much of it. There are some decent songs, I suppose--but only because there has to be: "Better," "There Was a Time," and (despite the horrid title) "The Blues" are okay. But overall, if the finished album sounds anything like the stuff here (some of which is several years old), I'd have to ask: Sixteen years since the last album, and this is what he's got to show for it? I hope I'm wrong, and I hope the album's great, but I gotta admit--I'm not setting my sights too high.
What do you want or hope the album sounds like?
I didn't get a chance to download this last night, so I'll try again tonight. While I really like songs like "There Was A Time" and "The Blues", I hope the album (if it is ever released) is not filled with slower-tempo songs like those two. I really like "Better" and the raw, in-your-face sound it has. "I.R.S." is also good, but not as heavy. If the album is filled with songs like "T.W.A.T." and power ballads, I'll still like it but won't be blaring it on my stereo too often unless I'm in a tired, calm mood.
Give me an album with songs like "Better", and I'll be happy. Either way, no matter what comes out, everyone will call it a disappointment. Nothing can live up to the myth or hype.
As for Velvet Revolver, I have their first album. And it is a good rock album, but I never liked the polish sound it has. Slash's riffs are best suited for a hard rock sound, and Weilend's vocals have become very laid back. I am big STP fan, but ever since the 2nd album (Purple?), Weilend's vocals have been anything but Hard Rock. That being said, "Interstate Love Song" is one of my all-time favs!