Axl Rose's dubious work ethic

People News

By April MacIntyre Dec 4, 2008, 15:53 GMT

"Rose's music tells the saga of the mutually abusive relationship between the freight train's axle and the rose it crushes, a potentially poisonous flower that keeps growing back." -Ann Powers-LA Times. Please... Axl Rose - Axl Rose from Guns and Roses in Concert at the Allstate Arena - November 27, 2006 - Allstate Arena - Rosemont, IL, USA © Daniel Locke / PR Photos

Please... Axl Rose - Axl Rose from Guns and Roses in Concert at the Allstate Arena - November 27, 2006 - Allstate Arena - Rosemont, IL, USA © Daniel Locke / PR PhotosWhen I read that particular bit of review, my head nearly exploded. Then I heard the new album from the 'Sweet Child o' mine" rockers, and I wanted to stab my eardrums.The convoluted new album from Guns N' Roses took over a decade to come out, and in the process caused a kerfuffle with the actual Chinese, who apparently took umbrage with the LP title, and now with retailers and record execs who are allegedly not pleased with the lack of promotion the band is doing; namely the enigmatic lead man, Axl Rose.Hits Daily Double reports: Many are expressing surprise that GNR's "Chinese Democracy" sold only [261,000] in its first week as a Best Buy exclusive. Analysts say that comparing GNR's total with the 802,000 tallied by AC/DC robust sales with their Wal-Mart exclusive "is like comparing apples and oranges, in that radically different circumstances surrounded the two projects."Hits alleges that "the blame for that rests at the feet of Axl Rose."IGA and Best Buy were handicapped on a number of levels, due in large part to Rose’s refusal to participate in the setup—dramatically reducing the ability of the label and Best Buy to market the release, claims Hits.Rose refused to do TV or press interviews, and he refused to take his band on the road behind the release, while no official video has yet surfaced. Conversely, AC/DC has been working the circuit like a hooker at Shriner's convention and appearing on the covers of major music magazines like Rolling Stone, with an in-depth interview last month.Hits claimed that Rose didn’t even approve the final artwork until a few weeks prior to the release date.