Guns N’ Roses – Chinese Democracy (Release Year – 2008)
It is hard to talk about Guns N’ Roses without mentioning that this disc is some odd thirteen years overdue. Millions of dollars were spent in creating this much ballyhooed album. I don’t think anyone expects this album to meet their expectations (self included).
I for one am glad this album is finally out, and Axl Rose can finally get this King Kong sized monkey off of his back. Long before this album was released, I heard leaks of several of these tunes. I wasn’t very impressed by the the rougher versions of these songs. I must admit the final product is much better than I thought it would be.
At times, it seems as if the multitude of producers tried to help reproduce Slash’s guitar tones, in order to preserve that classic Guns N’ Roses sound. The end result is an album that won’t sound completely unfamiliar to Guns N’ Roses fans, even though Axl Rose is the only remaining member of the original band.
I have not been a huge Axl Rose fan in the past, but I have to admit it is pretty damned good to hear his distinct voice one more. It has been far too long. The opening and title track “Chinese Democracy” is a pretty rocking good way to start off this disc. Almost immediately, I thought this disc might be a lot better than expected. “Shackler’s Revenge” on the other hand left me scratching my head. This song doesn’t seem to know if wants to be hard rock, Industrial, or techno. It seems to blend elements of all three. It actually isn’t too bad, once you get past the beginning of the song.
I believe “Better” could be one of the best Guns N’ Roses songs ever. Even though this song has some unusual guitar sounds mixed through it, it still feels like a modernized G N’ R song. This is easily my favorite on Chinese Democracy.
“Street of Dreams” was completely unexpected. This is a piano driven ballad with a fairly decent guitar solo in the middle. Early in this song I thought Axl’s voice sounded odd as he was hitting some unusual low notes with his voice. His pure singing voice (thankfully) takes over quickly. What this song is missing is Slash. With Slash’s guitar playing, this could song could have been another taken to new heights. Even still, this song is pretty good, and definitely one of the better ones on “Chinese Democracy”.
Is it just me, or does “If The World” sound like a Lenny Kravitz tune? This is a pop tune with a hard edge and a rhythm with a little bit of funk in it. I wouldn’t expect to hear something like this on a hard rock record, especially a Guns N’ Roses record.
“There Was A Time” has a 70’s classic rock vibe that reminds me a bit of the Moody Blues mixed with some harder guitar parts. This is one of those songs that has the potential to grow on you if given the chance.
At this point in the album, I could have used a really hard driving song. “Catcher In the Rye” is definitely not that. This song also has a classic rock vibe about it, but it doesn’t sound like a G N’ R tune.
I really dislike the intro on “Scraped” but the rest of the song is pretty cool. There is a pretty good groove all throughout “Scraped”.
Riad N’ The Bedouins has more of that familiar Guns N’ Roses sound that I prefer. There are a lot more heavy guitar parts on this song, than on most of the tunes on Chinese Democracy.
“Sorry” sounds as if Axl was trying to channel his inner Pink Floyd. I like Pink Floyd, but I don’t want to hear it on a Guns N’ Roses album. It just sounds odd to me.
The first time I heard I.R.S. I thought the song had a heavier slant to it. This finished product adds a dated keyboard sound, which detracts from the industrial edge it had. It isn’t a bad tune, but I liked the previous versions I heard better.
I didn’t care for “Madagascar” the first time around, but after a couple of listens, I started to realize that this song is a lot better than I originally thought. This song has an epic feel to it that reminds me of “November Rain” somewhat.
Chinese Democracy closes out with two piano based numbers “This I Love” and “Prostitute”. Both songs are solid enough, but not what I would expect to hear from this band.
If you are listening to “Chinese Democracy” for the first time, and are looking for another “Appetite for Destruction” you aren’t going to find it here. This album seemingly expands on the sounds of the Use Your Illusion records, but has a much more experimental feel to it. There are moments of brilliance on “Chinese Democracy”, but those looking for a quick hard rock fix may not give this album a chance to find them.
Was this album worth the wait, and all of the hoopla? Probably not. I would recommend checking out the songs for yourself on the Guns N’ Roses myspace site.
Rating:
Out of 10
Track Listing:
- Chinese Democracy
- Shackler´s Revenge
- Better
- Street Of Dreams
- If The World
- There Was A Time
- Catcher In The Rye
- Scraped
- Riad N´ The Bedouins
- Sorry
- I.R.S.
- Madagascar
- This I Love
- Prostitute
Outloud! -S/T
Stryper - Murder By Pride
I finally got the CD just after X-Mas,..it’s great. Axl’s voice is as good as when he was 24. The album isn’t ” Appetite..” but then again, nothing dublicates that record…but Chinese Democracy is damn good !!
What does hard rock mean to anyone anymore? I’m curious?
The reason I ask is because I dont get how anyone who is a rocker would think this album kicks ass. Now to be completely fair here I have not listened to the whole album so eiether way I know im setting myself up for a big : You’re a hypocrite”.
Maybe…maybe not. To me axl rose is dead…or at least the axl we used to remember. After hearing 4 tracks off the new album (and some rough cuts on my friends bootleg copy before the album dropped) I think this album is the biggest joke….and its on the fans. What is this boring garbage that we have been waiting 14 years for? Axl’s voice does NOT sound good. It sounds strained and void of any personality. It’s almost like he concentrated so much on how the album should sound he forgot about his vocals.
Granted the band is tight but its nothing to write home about.
The only way I’ll have own another album that axl is on is if its the orginal G n’R line up. Maybe i live in the past too much…or maybe im just not feeling a lot of these new albums that my favourite bands are releasing. You can only have lightning strike once fellas and APPETITE is it for me….not Chinese Democracy.
I agree with some of your points. Appetite is easily G N’R’s best album. I wasn’t feeling the love for this album at the time of review. It has grown on me since then. There are 3 or 4 decent songs. I still think this is like the Axl Rose solo project instead of G N’R. I half wonder if this is part of Axl’s plan. To put out a lackluster album, and follow it up with a monster hard rock disc.
Lower the bar, then raise it back up again. He says there is enough material for another album but I won’t hold my breath waiting for another one. Especially after Chinese Democracy.
There’s no way Axl was holding back Rob, this was his “masterpiece”. He painstakingly took 14 years to make sure he was happy with every single note and sound, this is why it is so disappointing, it is completely over-thought. Appetite will never be duplicated..by anyone… it was brilliantly recorded like a natural stream of seedy, Los Angeles sub-consciousness with no apparent forethought whatsoever. Brilliant.
It is ok, but there is no way in hell I could call Chinese Democracy a masterpiece on a good day. I am glad Axl can.
Like you, I think Appetite was G N’R’s masterpiece. They will never top that effort no matter what lineup Axl puts out there.