Velvet Revolver

Christ, that Axl Rose is stupid. Guns N' Roses was one of the most popular and entertaining hard-rock bands of the last two decades, yet Rose tore the original lineup apart for reasons that make about as much sense as the mainstream media's obsession with Britney Spears's womb. (Correct me if I'm wrong, but I don't think this is the first time morons have reproduced.) The foolishness of his actions is underlined by the success of Velvet Revolver, which not only features ex-Gunners Slash, Duff McKagan and Matt Sorum, but sports the most marketing-driven name imaginable -- or did you think the firearm in its moniker was a coincidence? Granted, Contraband, the outfit's 2004 debut, is better than most cynics anticipated thanks mostly to Slash, whose guitar work is as dirty as ever -- but Scott Weiland will never be the world's most interesting junkie singer, no matter how many times he slips in and out of rehab. While Velvet Revolver, which shares this bill with Hoobastank, is capable of sating most GN'R fans, true believers would be a lot happier had the real thing not vanished before its time. By any other name, an idiotic decision by Rose would smell just as sour.