Released: Nov 23, 2008
Genre: Geffen Records
Label: Rock
Number Of Tracks: 14
17 years after their last original album, Guns N’ Roses have finally released Chinese Democracy. Is there any way the album can live up to all of the lofty expectations?
Featured review by:
UG Team, on november 24, 2008 22 of 41 people found this review helpful
Sound: Outside of the Beach Boys’ Smile, no other album in rock-n-roll history has inspired the kind of legend that Chinese Democracy has in the last decade or so. Soon after their atrocious covers album, The Spaghetti Incident hit stores, GNR mainman Axl Rose has been talking up Chinese Democracy. Little did anyone know but the album would take nearly 20 years to see the light of day. Much has been written about the making of the record so we’ll spare you all of the already well-documented details and instead will focus on highlighting the end results here. If you want to see the gigantic list of musical collaborators on the project, seek out the liner notes online. Below is a song by song breakdown of the album. // 7
Lyrics and Singing: GNR’s best work was always a sum of all of its parts. If Slash and Izzy (or Gilby for that matter) were volleying off each other and Duff and either Steven Adler or Matt Sorum were locked in to the groove chances are whatever song they were playing would be rivaling or even topping anyone else that came before them. But the extra kick in the ass was Axl Rose. When the gifted yet troubled singer was on his A game, the competition had no chance. On this comeback album, Rose is surrounded by a cast (and a long one at that) of musicians so a lot of the old GNR charm rests on his shoulders. While the guys backing him on the tracks do a formidable job, that specific magic of the old days is lost. Either way, the singer delivers one of his strongest performances. He utilizes every facet of his wide range throughout the 14 tracks. We get the high-pitched wailing of “Out Ta Get Me,” the softer tone of “Patience,” and the steamrolling mid-range found in classics like “You Could Be Mine” throughout this collection. Like an old-friend, Rose’s familiar voice is welcomed and even though the classic line-up isn’t around anymore, the songs have that extra spark only someone like this legend can lend them.
01.“Chinese Democracy”: after an unnecessary long intro, the album kicks off with an over-processed guitar sound that has more in common with the industrial informed sounds of Nine Inch Nails than it does with the blues based hard-rock of their early material. It’s not all that surprising since former NIN six-stringer Robin Finck plays on the track. Rose’s vocals are double-tracked on the verses so you get his low and high register at the same time lending the song a sinister vibe throughout. The middle section features some blistering guitar solo work supercharging the song right when it needed it. Choosing to start the album with this track was a wise move and our fears are somewhat relieved…for now at least. // 7
02.“Shackler’s Revenge”: the first riff in “Shackler’s Revenge” sounds like something Static-X would concoct and unfortunately for the listener, things don’t really veer away from that for the remainder of the song. The mechanical rhythm track only accentuates the song’s lifeless feel. The guitars and bass sound like they are coming out of walls of solid-state heads making you long for the warmer, analog sounds of their classic output. The only thing that could have saved this one from its own mediocrity would have been a gigantic chorus but that never came. This one isn’t even good enough for b-side status. // 4
03.“Better”: almost from the get-go, “Better” hooks you in with one memorable melody after the other. Rose’s tremendous mid-range is utilized for the majority of the song and the production pulls back leaving it to shine without the effects and processing found on “Shackler’s Revenge.” Throughout the remainder of the track, Finck and Ron “Bumblefoot” Thal take turns soloing showcasing their explosive yet tasteful styles. Some of their licks will even remind you off former GNR axe-slinger Slash in spots. After the colossal letdown of the previous song, “Better” is a beaming example of why the world was waiting for this album with baited-breadth. // 8
04.“Street of Dreams”: Elton John’s influence is all over “Street of Dreams.” From the gorgeous piano sections to the stadium-ready orchestration, this track sounds like the English singer’s early 70’s work like Goodbye Yellow Brick Road and Tumbleweed Connection. It’s not that “Street of Dreams” apes every move from those albums but it definitely has their sonic fingerprints all over it. The band even had John join them on a version of their song “November Rain” back in the early 90’s so their ties go back for years. Outside of the obvious textural influences, “Street of Dreams” contains Axl’s unmistakable vocal flourishes making it a GNR song in the end. The climactic guitar solos are a highpoint and the pretty piano melodies are abundant so this one will definitely find its way onto the band’s live sets for years to come. // 7
05.“If The World”: everything about this song misses the mark. From the light-jazz percussion to the go-nowhere vocal parts, “If The World” is an utter waste of studio time. How this disaster made it onto the album is a complete mystery. With the exception of a few interesting guitar parts, the song is devoid of anything worth further exploring. // 2
06.“There Was A Time”: here come those drum loops again. It seems like Axl is totally infatuated with the electronic side of music these past few years and certainly during the making of Chinese Democracy. It doesn’t serve the material well here as they seem like afterthoughts more than organic parts of the songs they’re found in. At the core of it, “There Was A Time” doesn’t have a compelling enough song to help propel it over its sonic weaknesses. // 4
07.“Catcher in the Rye”: this one gets off to a winning start with bluesy guitar licks and country-rock pianos. The verse melody is reminiscent of Use Your Illusion era GNR. The chorus explodes with huge guitars only to give way to a quieter interlude and then back into a classic-rock solo section. Some of Rose’s vocal cues have a Paul McCartney-esque charm about them etching themselves into your head after the first listen. Just when you started losing interest the record gets a jolt of energy. // 7
08.“Scraped”: a straight-ahead rocker in the mold of the title track, “Scraped” isn’t going to have you dying to reach for the rewind button. For another band this song would have made an OK album cut but for a band that had their fans waiting for so many years, it comes off as a big letdown. // 6
09.“Riad N’ The Bedouins": this one has a shuffling guitar main refrain that wouldn’t have sounded out of place on Appetite For Destruction but there are elements in the arrangement that hinder the track. For one, Axl’s high-pitched vocal delivery doesn’t mesh well with the rest of the instrumentation. After a while, his singing starts sounding like a wall of shrieking; shifting your focus away from the muscular guitars. How this mess got past the production team of Rose and Caram Costanzo really boggles the mind. // 5
10.“Sorry”: the song immediately starts with Rose’s singing echoing the bluesy overtones ringing in the rhythm section and guitars. Something in the reverb-drenched guitars reminds this writer of David Gilmour’s (Pink Floyd) mid-period work. The dramatic chorus seems tailor-made to bounce off arena walls. One of the band’s biggest strengths is their ability to pull of sweeping epics like this and this song is proof they should have explored that side of their arsenal more. // 7
11.“I.R.S.”: another track that doesn’t really warrant its inclusion here. The riffs and Axl’s melodies are sub-standard, the kind of stuff any bar-band would come up with. Is this the same songwriter who wrote “Rocket Queen?” // 5
12.“Madagascar”: this is one where Rose really aimed for the rafters. It’s the type of grandiose musical statement a younger band wouldn’t probably even try writing let alone record. There are majestic string orchestrations and dramatic guitar lead runs that echo the singer’s vocal lines at key points. A speech from Martin Luther King Jr. gets thrown into the song’s crescendo for added effect. This one is the vein of “Civil War” or “Estranged” but neither the lyrics nor the arrangement help get the song into that club. The nuances in this one might grow on you with time but at this point, we’re left a bit underwhelmed again. // 6
13.“This I Love” here’s Chinese Democracy’s most potent moment. Rose is accompanied by a piano, a string section, and a Robin Finck guitar solo that pushes and pulls into the of the album’s most impassioned performances. Some of the more interesting bends recall Michael Schenker’s most thrilling work with U.F.O. in the late 70s. Who would have guessed that a guy who made a name for himself in an industrial-rock band would have such classic-rock blessed chops in his pocket? Another great choice by Rose was to keep this one short and sweet insuring the extraordinary melodies and guitar solos don’t get suffocated by a busy arrangement. // 9
14.“Prostitute”: “Prostitute” goes from hushed verses to a towering chorus washed in guitars and theatrical orchestration making it a fitting closer. It’s not clear who Rose is directing the lyrics to when he sings, “Oh, I saw the damage in you, my fortunate one, the ending of you,” but the intent is there, seething right below the surface. There is some whammy-bar assisted bombast towards the final seconds that comes out of nowhere but somehow works in the scheme of the song. So just like that, Chinese Democracy comes to and end. // 7 // 8
Impression: Does the album live up to the lofty expectations the public has showered it with? No, but then again, how could it have anyway? If Chinese Democracy would have come out 2 or even 4 years after their last studio album, it would have been examined in a whole other manner. There is enough great material here to make the album a worthy fit into your music collection but is it essential as an entire piece, no. But then again, how many full-lengths released today are? There are 6-7 powerful tracks here and they prove Rose is still a vital songwriter and frontman. Hopefully he can get back into the studio and bang out another collection sooner than it took this time. // 7
Reviewed by:
King Krapp, on november 26, 2008 8 of 20 people found this review helpful
Sound: Allow me to come right out and say that this album has been produced very well. Frankly, after an 8-bajillion year wait, it bloody well ought to be. Each instrument shines clear in the mix, whilst not overpowering the others, except perhaps for the bass, which could benefit from a tweak in the upwards direction. This, however, is all undone by what can only be described as a very poor guitar tone. Think Linkin Park kicking Buckethead in the balls while Satriani gets drunk and plays with his effects. From that comparison, it should be obvious that it sounds far too digital, as if "Generic Axl-Supporting bandmate #1" is trying as hard as he can to emulate Slash, through studio tweaking. Axl's voice, too, whilst never exactly angelic, has sunk to new levels of stupid. His trademark "mnyaaaawh!" is still there, but it is sullied by what appears to be an attempt to sound more "gritty." It does not work. For most of the album, he is simply tolerable, but on songs like "Street Of Dreams" it becomes a nightmare. // 5
Lyrics and Singing: Having already disussed a lot of Axl's sound, it is now time to evaluate his technical skill. And it's not there. He sounds, at best, mediocore, hitting easy notes, and not trying anything beyond his new baritone. But then he remembers Appetite for Destruction, and tries to hit those wonderful high notes, and ends up sounding, well, old. The lyrics, too, are unimaginitive, right from the opening verse of the title track, which says:
"It don't really matter
You're gonna find out for yourself
No it don't really matter
You're gonna leave this thing to somebody else"
There is the occasional stab at political or social commentary, but it comes off as trite and forced, leading to an overall poor impression of the lyrical properties of this album. But, it IS a metal album, and what do you expect, Chaucer? // 6
Impression: This is by no means Guns N Roses' worst album, but it's nowhere near their best. The whole album screams of Axl and Co's valiant attempt to create an album that is an instant classic, whilst appealing to the electronic-humping pop community. With every song I listen to, my desire to never listen to this album again rises. It is a mediocre album from a band that should be stratospheric. In 2750, when their next album will probably get released, I sincerely hope they lay aside the dearth of effects, give Axl a wedgie, and stop him listening to November Rain. It worked once, but trying to do a soulful ballad with pro-tools and r'n'b influences on every second track does NOT work. The technical skill of the guitar is admirable, the production is good, but the rest is simply unsatisfactory. // 3
Reviewed by:
dgme92, on november 25, 2008 7 of 23 people found this review helpful
Sound: Guns N' Roses has been moved to the 21st century in style, as Axl Rose & Co. have released an album of stellar material. Sure, you will get the old-school fans who will say "It's not GnR", or "It doesn't sound the same". I say to those people, free up your mind and listen a little more before you make up your mind. I used to think the new Guns N' Roses sucked hard, until I saw 'Better' performed live, which totally changed my opinion on the band. Axl's proven to the world that he is an amazing song writing talent, composing some of his best work (and GnR as a whole) on this album. Tracks such as "There Was A Time", "Better" and "This I Love", stand up among GnR's best. The production is stellar, and is a real strong point on the album, with every instrument and factor getting the spotlight at some point in the album, with no flaky sound, but all crisp and clear. New guitarists Bumblefoot, Richard Fortus and Robin Finck (not forgetting Buckethead, even though he has left the band, some parts still remain on the album) have a great chemistry, both live and in the studio, where their respective parts seem to melt together in an incredibly smooth fashion.
01.Chinese Democracy: the title track, surprisingly, is one of the album’s weaker tracks. It’s got some great guitar work, and I am loving Bumblefoot’s fretless rhythm guitar during the verses, however the chorus doesn’t jump out at you with a catchy hook to keep you interested. Great guitar solo courtesy of Buckethead, and Axl sounds great. My only real issue is with the lyrics, they are definitely the weakest point. No catchy chorus section, and an odd reference to “masturbation” in the middle. Good track, but not the best. Good opener and first single though, in my opinion. 8/10
02.Shackler's Revenge: ever since the track was leaked in demo form before it's official release on Rock Band 2, Shackler's Revenge has come on in leaps and bounds. The audio is far crisper, with a nice crunch in the guitar, with Axl's voice totally dominating the track, which isn't that bad, seeing as this is one of Axl's strongest vocal tracks on the album. The chorus is stadium-worthy mega rock at it’s finest, with some fantastically catchy singing. The solo seems to fly off to nowhere in the first few seconds, but then it tidies up and sounds nice, with a brilliant sweep to tap run in the end. Not the best song on the album, very avant-garde with an industrial flair, great if you're into that kind of thing. I think it rocks though. 9/10
03.Better: the best raw rock song on the album, no doubt. If you're looking for a song to bring you back to the sheer punch and drama of old Guns, this is it. Axl is amazing, just simply amazing on this track, with a fantastic rhythm section, a wall of guitars, bass and drums that hits you hard. Some awesome sweeps and shred runs in this song by, and Bumblefoot has put some licks into the verse and chorus, to add a 4th dimension to an already brilliant track. This is one incredible song, easily one of my favourites on the album. The two bridge sections are defiantly catchy, with an amazing, blues ridden solo in the final section by Robin Finck. A solo worthy of the massive gap Slash left in the band, no doubt. 10/10
04.Street Of Dreams: the first ballad of many on album. Axl's wail is present and correct on this one, hitting some notes we long forgot he could hit. The rhythm guitar accompanies the piano perfectly, with a lovely crunch and some riffs in there challenging the crashing piano for dominance. A track renamed from it's old codename "The Blues", the blues really does ring out in this one, with sped up blues licks, an excellent solo ringing out between verses, and some great vocal melodies. A great all rounder, some good lyrics. Gorgeous melodies, and a huge Elton John influence can be heard in this song. Loving this one. 10/10
05.If The World: a slick song, totally fit for a modern soundtrack to city life. The bass line is infectious, a simple "ba dum, ba dum ba dum" ringing through the whole song. It's sounds like a kind of mix between Audioslave and Rodrigo y Gabriela, with some fantastic Middle Eastern/Spanish guitar from Buckethead to complement the bass and distorted guitar. There’s a surprisingly energetic solo in there too by Buckethead. Couple the instrumental section with Axl’s soaring vocals and this one’s a winner. Especially check out the “la, na na na” bridge. You’ll be hooked. 10/10
06.There Was A Time: the song opens up with this weird choir style bit at the start, but once Axl’s voice kicks in it’s a brilliant track straight away. Right from the word go, there are guitars matching the notes Axl is singing and the bass and drums are the perfect fit and lend the song a tense, edgy and modern feel. The whole thing is one massive wall of sound that attacks and keeps you immersed in the music, and is one of the best tracks on the album. The guitar solos are amazing, with some of Buckethead’s best work he has ever done, (yes, that’s including his solo material) and the outro solo is an orgasmic wah wah, clean sound behemoth that I cannot get out of my head! Seriously, it’s so catchy it will stick with you. This song is worth it for the guitar alone, but add Axl, and the rest of the freaking band, and you have an instant, unforgettable, smashing classic. 10/10
07.Catcher In The Rye: this song blows my mind. If they had re-mastered Brian May’s guitar solo of course it would have been even better, but still, this track is good anyway, with Bumblefoot’s newly added solos taking up residence. Axl is on top form here, hitting all the right notes, with some fantastic melodies, the rhythm guitar is suitably thick but not over done, with some fantastic blues chords and licks played during the course of the song, lending it a real old school, classic rock tone. It’s one great track lyrics wise too, e.g "How a body took a body and gave that boy a gun... " really stands out. One of my favourites on the album, and shows that no matter what anybody says, Axl Rose can still craft great songs. 10/10
08.Scraped: the opening harmony is cool, although it threw off most of my friends, who are hardcore GnR-heads, but straight after that harmony there are some bone crunching riffs, the heaviest song so far on the record. I see this song as a spiritual successor to “Out Ta Get Me” off the Appetite for Destruction album, although it’s superior in every way. The lyrics contain the same rebellious “f*** you” connotations, with the same crunch on the guitars, and a fantastic solo. The drums have a ‘Dom Howard from Muse’ feel to them, which is no bad thing. It’s clear to see that Axl’s been paying close attention to the modern rock scene and how he can adapt himself to that style of hard rock around nowadays, some bombastic drums and riffs. Overall, good track, but compared to most of what follows it pales it comparison. 9/10
09.Riad N’ The Bedouins: odd title, you say? Nothing odd about this song. One of the most straightforward rocks on the album, albeit with a rather drawn out intro. As soon as the main riff kicks in, the song demands that you take it seriously, and Axl soars over the mix, with a screaming “Aaaaaaaaah” that sounds so definitive of an overblown rock track. The solo simply screams “Slash! ” too in the first few seconds, and then Bumblefoot melts your face with a stupidly catchy lick towards the song’s closing moments, and Buckethead provides the outro. Overall, one of the albums great rockers, certainly better than the title track anyway. Very strong vocals, which took me a bit by surprise, I have to say. The high rating is mostly for those awesome, awesome vocals that accompany the main riff though. 9/10
10.Sorry: this song is the much lauded epic Sebastian Back was on about. "It has the rawness of Appetite, but the scale and grandiosity of November Rain". This song is a great reminder of what Axl set out to do, and that was to carry GnR intact to the modern age, which I think in this track more so than others, he does with a great flair. It really is a new Guns N’ Roses epic, and easily stands up with songs on the ballad-heavy Use Your Illusion albums, in my humble opinion. Buckethead here proves to the world he is a unique talent, and can do any and every style. On this track alone, he shifts from blues, to classic rock, to metal, to classic rock again. Possibly (whisper it) the best song on the album. I don’t know. 10/10
11.I.R.S: the weakest song on the album, which says a lot, seeing as it’s not half bad. It’s the only song on the album to even nearly sound like old GnR too, so it’ll please old school fans too. I long for raspier vocals on this one, if we got that it might have been up there with Better as a classic track. As it is, the vocals are a bit weak, with Axl almost like he’s trying too hard to get those notes he got back in the day. If he re-recorded it in mid-2007, there’s not a doubt in my mind it would have been one of the best tracks vocals-wise. Cracking solo from Robin Finck and Buckethead, which add a lot to the song, but that alone can’t solve the disappointment that was the vocals. Some really great lyrics though. It’s a tough track to rate, I’m stuck between a 7/8 out of 10.
12.Madagascar: the dark horse of the album. It’s the first one to be played live, and is the song that should take the blame for haters calling Guns N’ Roses a hip hop band. However, this does not make it a bad song. It’s got an extremely catchy synth hook at the start, and the hippity hoppity drum beat is awesome, no matter what the haters say. Also, Axl’s vocals suit the song to a tee, but they are a bit weak. Nonetheless, I like it. Buckethead adds some great solo guitar in the verses, which pairs up with Axl’s voice fantastically. The Martin Luther King Jr. speech and excerpts from Cool Hand Luke and Seven are a bit much, but they add so much to the album’s already overly dramatic sound that I find it hard to dock points for this. The speech sections drown out a lot of the guitar work put on at the same time, which is a shame. Not my favourite song on the record, but it’s deserved of a solid 9/10.
13.This I Love: for me, this is the best song on the entire album. It’s the closest to Axl Rose we have ever gotten, opening with just Axl and some piano, singing some truly heartfelt lyrics. You can hear from Axl’s voice that he really means what he’s singing. Fantastic song, and a great showcase for his talents. It’s pure ballad of Freddie Mercury proportions up until roughly two and a half minutes in, where Robin Finck lets fly with a distortion riddled, fabulous solo that echoes previous work by Slash on November Rain, with a great hook to reel the listener in. Some great vocal harmonies, innovative melodies, and a really stripped back track that puts truth to the phrase, “less is more”. 10/10
14.Prostitute: a heart warming album closer. The song kicks off with a little riff and unusual vocal melody, and seems like an immediate letdown as the closing song. From here on in though, the song is packed full of rich layers of sound, with Chris Pitman’s finest synth work on the album, and some great piano from Axl, and two great solos from Buckethead. Axl’s vocals are sharp and tight, with some simple yet effective rhythms from Richard Fortus and Finck. The solo is a face-melter courtesy of Buckethead, and the way Axl’s piano fades out in the closing moments is perfect. Really great song, one of the album’s best, and the perfect closer to an album such as this. 10/10 // 10
Lyrics and Singing: Axl's singing on the record is far better than most had anticipated. Sure, he doesn't have the same old sound he had back in the 80's or early 90's, but that's what age does to you. He has aged. Even though it shows at parts, he still retains some most of the growl and scream that made him famous, and some of the vocals on this album are among the best in his entire career, when he adapts his voice to keep up with the frenetic music. Great vocals overall, especially on tracks like Better, Shackler's Revenge, This I Love, and There Was A Time. On This I Love's vocal track he sounds as good as if not better than he did in 1991, he's really that good. You won't find vocals as atrocious as the 2002 VMA awards ceremony, I can tell you that much.
The lyrics as a whole are quite good, and certainly reflect Axl's odd experiences of the past 15 years. The lyrics fit with the music quite well, something a lot of people didn't see coming due to the new change in musical direction, which I see to be a big credit to the various musicians that have worked on the album, that they crafted something to fit Axl's vision for the lyrics and music. Lyrics get a 10 out of 10, with some greatly insightful lyrics detailing every day of the agonising past 15 years. Axl has written some fantastic lyrics, especially on tracks like "Sorry" and "This I Love", and shows he can still write an intelligent song, a fun party song, and a blast out rocker, and pick and choose words to suit each one. Fantastic. // 10
Impression: OK, it's been a long and hard 15 years for every GnR fan. The simply unbearable length of time it took for Axl Rose to finish Chinese Democracy hurt. Blows have been dealt (tentative release date of March 6, 2007, for example), and gifts given (Shackler's Revenge on Rock Band 2), but in my humble opinion, it's all been worth it. The long wait is finally over, and I have never heard such a satisfying result. The new songs are fantastic, and easily stand up to the great Appetite for Destruction, GnR Lies and Use Your Illusions albums. Well worth checking out, and as a music fan you almost owe it to yourself to hear the myth that is Chinese Democracy. I can safely say there is at least one song for everybody on this album, of that I am sure. Ever since I bought it on launch day, it has been on repeat in the car, on the bus, walking, in my bedroom, everywhere I have a CD player or some headphones. If you do buy the album and you are not satisfied, take Axl's advice give it "some more Patience". It'll grow on you. // 10
Reviewed by:
Rocker_94, on november 27, 2008 1 of 1 people found this review helpful
Sound: To begin, I have not yet had the chance to buy this album and have only listened to the album on the band's MySpace page. It started off with the title track. I must say the intro is a little long, almost long as it took to make the album, but sure does build the intensity. Then, in comes a killer riff that sounds like it had been played on Line 6 Spiders rather than Marshall Tube Amps. The sound of the album is very digital. The sound of the guitars is a very good example. Another example would be the sound of the drums, that sound more like a drum machine more than anything else. There's also way more synthesizers, keyboards and other effects than we've seen in the past. The arragements of Madagascar and the Buckethead-sounding effects on Shackler's Revenge are very good examples, and there's nameless others. I'll get to Axl in a bit also. // 6
Lyrics and Singing: Axl sounds pretty good in this album, especially considering his age. Obviously it will never be like it was on Appetite for Destruction, but he still has it. On a few tracks it tends to sound a little scratchy, especially in the higher range. The lyrics seem very personnal to Axl and what he's been through. He really is a great lyricist. I'd reccomend to read them if you get a chance. It's really hard to describe. // 8
Impression: This is a descent album, but about midway through the thing, it gets a little boring. I'm sure I'm not the only one, but by the time There Was A Time comes along, I feel like pulling out my hair and scream, and when I hear the intro to Scraped, I feel like going one step further. It's not like Appetite, where I could listen to it over, and over, and over, and over again. It's safe to admit Guns N' Roses without 4/5 of the band isn't the same. Some songs on Chinese Democracy are killer, but it's just not Guns N' Roses. In general, way too many Elton John influenced songs, synthesizers and guitar effects. It's certainly different, but for good or bad? // 6
Reviewed by:
woodsy_gnr, on december 01, 2008 2 of 4 people found this review helpful
Sound: I didn't quite know what to expect from this album - 17 years since the last original material from Mr W. Axl Rose and the Guns N' Roses that I had grown up adoring. We'd all heard the leaked tracks, but who knew what Chinese Democracy was really going to sound like? Even the members of the new Guns N' Roses probably didn't know how Axl would put everything together from the past 14 years. So then came release day - I eagerly went into HMV and bought the album I never thought would see the light of day. Sadly I had to work all day before I could go home and listen to it, but it was the first thing I did when I got home. It took a few listens to get used to it, because quite simply it is not the same Guns N' Roses that I knew, but it is growing on me...
01.Chinese Democracy: the long-winded intro builds the suspense and keeps us all waiting just that little bit longer (well we waited since 1993 so what difference does another minute make?! ). Axl's thunderous scream kicks off proceedings and this is when you realise that although Slash, Duff and co may not be around anymore, this band still features the main man. Axl's voice sounds reminiscent of the Use Your Illusion days. A great song to start the album with - full of kick-ass attitude. Let's just hope the rest of the album doesn't disappoint... - 9 out of 10 for this song
02.Shackler's Revenge: I really can't decide whether I like this song or not. The music just doesn't sound like what you would expect The Most Dangerous Band In The World to sound like. I like the arrangement, but at the same time I don't! Very difficult to say realy - still I give this song 7 out of 10
03.Better: one of the "Better" songs on this album (sorry I couldn't resist). It's different to what I'm used to from Axl, but still it has a cool, rocky feel to it. Some cool guitar playing in there too. Overall, I give this one 8 out of 10.
04.Street of Dreams: this is one of my favourite songs on Chinese Democracy. It's got Elton John written all over it, but at the same time it is a typical Axl song. It wouldn't have sounded out of place on Use Your Illusion II with the likes of Estranged and Breakdown. Street of Dreams has a happy feel to it, and Axl's voice sounds as good as it ever did. 10 out of 10 without a doubt.
05.If The World: hmmmmm. Drum loops? Axl, Axl, Axl! Why did you follow the brilliant Street of Dreams with drum loops?! Notwithstanding that, the song itself is quite catchy. I hated it from start to finish when I first heard it, but now I find myself sitting at work hearing it over and over in my head. The synth sounds pretty cool. 7 out of 10.
06.There Was A Time: I've read some reviews where people think this is the worst song on the album, but I think it's pretty cool to be honest. OK, so musically it's fairly straight-forward, but I enjoyed the solo and I think Axl's voice compliments the song well. 7 out of 10.
07.Catcher In The Rye: another happy, catchy tune. It's a shame Brian May's guitar parts were cut out, but to be honest the song still sounds great. Not much more I can say really, I just like this song! 8 out of 10.
08.Scraped: one of the less memorable songs on the album. It's pretty heavy from the word go, but I just don't think it has anything special about it. 6 out of 10.
09.Riad N' The Bedouins: another cool rock song, but again I don't see anything that makes it stand out as one of the best on the album. So far, so good for the album as a whole, though. 6 out of 10.
10.Sorry: this is where the album starts to pick up again and begins to earn it's epic status. Whether this song is a dig at people like Slash or whether it's just a song about an ex-girlfriend, I guess only Axl knows. Still, if it is about Slash, maybe it rules out Sebastian Bach being the next singer of Velvet Revolver, seeing as he provides backing vocals! The chorus takes a much heavier turn than the verse, and I think it suits the song perfectly. Great track. 9 out of 10.
11.IRS: a decent song, but I can't really work out whether I like it or not. It's a pretty cool track, but everytime I listen to this song I just find myself trying to understand what Axl is on about! 7 out of 10.
12.Madagascar: some people touted this as Axl's big song for the album. The more I heard about this song, the more excited I got about actually getting to listen to it. It's a slick track, with interesting yet cool bits from Cool Hand Luke and a Martin Luther King speech. For me, this song gave a subtle reminder that this is still Guns N' Roses, despite the numerous member changes - the "what..we've got here, is, failure..to communicate" helped to cast my mind back to Civil War. I loved Madagascar from start to finish. This will be a classic Guns song for years to come. 10 out of 10.
13.This I Love: the best song on Chinese Democracy... by a long, long way. A ballad that is on a par with November Rain, dare I say it maybe even better than November Rain, This I Love really shows what is in Axl's heart. This is the one song on the album that I can imagine took 14 years to write - Axl must have played around with this for years. A beautiful song. 10 out of 10.
14.Prostitute: a good song to close the album, but it has almost a pop-rock feel to it. It still sounds great though, and by the end of it I was just hoping that it doesn't take another 14 years for the next album... or maybe a reunion? 8 out of 10. // 9
Lyrics and Singing: Axl has always been one of the great lyricists in rock, and his work on Chinese Democracy is no different. This I Love is the stand out highlight of his lyrical work on the album, you can really tell that it is from the heart. Street of Dreams is another great song with great lyrics - typical GNR. Overall, Chinese Democracy is a perfect example that no matter how long it is since Axl released any material, he still knows how to write some classic rock lyrics. // 10
Impression: Was Chinese Democracy worth waiting so many years for? No, it wasn't. Is this Guns N' Roses? In the truest meaning of the name, no, it isn't. But what this is is a great album, made by one of the greatest frontmen of all time and a group of very talented musicians. If it had been released 2 or 3 years after the Spaghetti Incident, then I certainly feel more people would have warmed to the album. If it had Slash, Duff and Izzy on it, more people would buy it. The people who call themselves true GN'R fans just because they think Guns N' Roses has to be Axl, Slash, Duff, Izzy and Steve really need to change the record. OK, I really wish that the original five did reunite and conquer the world again, but the chances of that happening are slim. But what we still have is Axl Rose, and whether people view this album as a Guns N' Roses album or an Axl Rose solo album, it is still great and is definitely worth listening to.
True GN'R fans will go out and buy Chinese Democracy, because after all, Guns N' Roses did originally contain a Mr W. Axl Rose as well as the rest of 'em. // 10
Reviewed by:
de-fexxx666, on november 26, 2008 1 of 2 people found this review helpful
Sound: It doesn't matter what you think of Guns N' Roses; old or new. One of the things that Guns N' Roses is known for is an incredibly crisp and deep sound, and Chinese Democracy is no exception. Before you even start to judge the songwriting on the album, you can't help but be amazed how great it sounds as far as the engineering goes. It has one of the best sounds on any album I've ever heard, and the mix is fantastic. There's no sense explaining the history of the album; everyone knows the history, and remembers it however they want to, be that Axl worked his ass off to put together a new band and record albums upon albums worth of material, or he sat around all day eating roast lamb, throwing partys in which he played the album which "had been done for years" and occasionally fighting with security guards to keep his badass reputation. However you remember the background of the album isn't important, what is important is Axl Rose is back and doing what he does best; blowing peoples minds. The album is more diverse than even the Use Your Illusion albums, and has something for everyone. From balls out rockers reminiscent of Appetite For Destruction (albeit heavier to appeal to a new generation) like Better and Scraped, to the grandiose, melodramatic songs common on the Illusions with songs like Street Of Dreams and This I Love, the album has it all. I'm not one to usually break an album down song by song, but it's really impossible to not do it with this album:
01.Chinese Democracy: it's a classic album opener, and will likely stand as such for years to come in live shows. A slow build up with Chinese being spoken and soft, eerie guitars explode into a riff that hits you harder than any GN'R riff to date. Axl double-tracked the vocals, really adding a cool dimension to it.
02.Shackler's Revenge: a very peculiar rocker, it has a heavy Buckethead influence. It sounds more like Axl guesting on a Buckethead song, with a complex drop-d riff and a great solo. Axl growls the lyrics, gradually building to one of the album's catchiest choruses. A weaker point on the album, but still great.
03.Better: by far the best rocker on the album. Starts with cringeworthy, yet still melodic riff, a falsetto vocal line and a hip-hop drum beat; it kicks into Axl singing mid range with great emotion over a classic GN'R chord progression. The bridge is super heavy, with lots of layers. Very cool song, probably will appeal to AFD lovers the most.
04.Street Of Dreams: it's the first epic song on the album. It's got everything you expect from a ballad; the grand piano, acoustic guitar and a truly beatiful solo (Which will make you do a double listen to see if it's Slash! ) and Axl singing about a love lost. The last minute will give you shivers, if that's the sort of song you're into.
05.If The World: the most out there song on the album. It features acoustic flamenco guitar and a gritty wah guitar which will make you feel like you're listening to the soundtrack to a low budget porno. There's a ton of layers to this song, it takes 3 or 4 listens to even take everything in. But it's not overdone at the same time.
06.There Was A Time: it's very much an "Axl" song, it's it's got everything that makes such a song good: a choir, beautiful orchestration, powerful guitars and innovative lyrics. The first solo is a toss back to the first solo in November Rain, and the second solo is really sort of a throw back to the third November Rain solo. Absolutely classic.
07.Catcher In The Rye: it's the only song that's truly overproduced. It represents what could have become of this album. The demo featuring Brian May had a very special magic, which has dissappeared in the 9 years of Axl's tinkering with it. Sad to see such a great song go to hell.
08.Scraped: another song that would fit on a 21st century AFD. Really powerful guitars, and Axl giving the world a big f--k you with lyrics like "Don't you try and stop us now, cause I just won't let you".
09.Riad N' The Bedouins: it really sounds like Zeppelin-gone-industrial. It's got a funky riff, with a great solo and Axl screeching over the top of everything. one of the low points, but it still rocks.
10.Sorry: it's an interesting song, with mellow verses and a super heavy chorus. It's got a very dark vibe, and the solo is reminiscent of David Gilmour's style ala Comfortably Numb or Time. Very catchy song.
11.IRS: the last real rocker, it's also the weakest. It's a mid tempo rocker, but it sort of drags on... and on. It's got a great Buckethead solo however.
12.Madagascar: it's a synth ballad, if there is such a thing. It's the only song to really use Axl's raspy voice, and damn does it sound refreshing to hear once again. The bridge of this song is very intricate, taking lines from Martin Luther King Jr and "Cool Hand Luke" (Civil War, anyone? ).
13.This I Love: if you love the overblown, beautifuly haunting Axl songs like Estranged and Don't Cry, this is the song which will shine for you. It dates back to 1993, and is almost exclusively Axl singing and playing piano, with a breif, but sad guitar solo in the middle. My personal favorite on the album.
14.Prostitute: another "Axl" song, it's very vocally driven, with little else going on except for punching chords in the chorus and a cool piano part. The bridges are very heavy, with synchronized hits during 2 of Buckethead's shredding solos over double bass drum. The last 2 minutes gradually fades away to nothingness. The perfect end to a near perfect album. // 9
Lyrics and Singing: Axl Rose will go down as one of the great lyricists of our time. The man is a genius when it comes to lyrics, and is up there with the likes of Pete Townshend, Robert Plant and Freddie Mercury. While the rockers on the album aren't among his best work lyrically, the other two thirds of the album more than make up for it. The lyrics compliment the music with great success, and in some cases, incredible intricacy. The album makes use of Axl's full vocal range, so much more than any other album to date. He sings some of his lowest notes in Shackler's Revenge, in a voice which he's never really used before. He also hits some of his highest notes ever on songs like This I Love and Prostitute. He also uses his rasp once again on Madagascar, a voice which is welcomed back with open arms. // 10
Impression: The album is definitely their most solid effort since Appetite For Destruction, with zero filler, unlike the Use Your Illusions. Stylistically the album ties in very well with the Illusions; in fact despite the 17 year gap Axl could have named the album Use Your Illusion III. My favorite songs of the bunch are This I Love, Prostitute and Sorry, though all songs are gold and everyone will have their own favorites. I'd buy this album again in a heartbeat if it were lost/stolen. My last comment is, this album really deserves a chance with everyone who likes Guns N' Roses to any extent. It really does sound like Guns N' Roses, that is, unless you consider Appetite For Destruction the only GN'R album ever made. Many of the songs could have been included on the Illusions, and a lot of the guitar work is just as memorable as anything Slash did in the band. Oh yes, and if you want to argue Guns is dead because Slash is gone, you're wrong. If they ever died (Which they didn't) it would be when Izzy quit. // 10
Reviewed by:
unregistered, on february 02, 2009 0 of 0 people found this review helpful
Sound: The new GNR should be treated as a totally different band. If you listen to Chinese Democracy with that approach, this album is pretty damn good. The sound ranges from computerized mega-distorted guitar to classical spainish/flamenco. I really think Axl, Buckethead and whoever else he happens to feel like having behind him for the time being, mad a pretty damn good album. I took away a few points for the Pro Tools, at least get a drummer, man! // 8
Lyrics and Singing: Not as many kickass lyrics like Welcome to the Jungle and Shotgun Blues but this album minus a few songs is made up of power ballads. (the only swear word is in Riad n the Bedouins ("I don't give a F*** about them") All the lyrics are pretty much break up songs except for songs like Shacklers Revenge Chinese Democracy Scraped and Riad N The Bedouins. My favorite is probably "SO bittersweet this tradgedy, won't ask for absolution, this melody inside of me still searches for solution" from Better (arguably the best song on the album). // 9
Impression: Comparable to Nine Inch Nails (probably because of Robin Fink), this album is awesome and definatly worth the money. I like the difference in the tracks, especially from Shackler's Revenge to Street of Dreams, Chinese Democracy to This I Love. I really can't decide on the best tracks because they are all pretty good. If mine got lost I would DEFINATELY go get another one (though it's already on iTunes). Nice job, Axl and Co., but try to make the next one just a little bit faster (and with a real drummer on all the tracks). By the way, Anyone know what happened to the Dr. Pepper thing? // 10
Reviewed by:
Zanary, on january 14, 2009 0 of 0 people found this review helpful
Sound: I want to apologize in advance, as I normally do thorough reviews on anything I write about. I take pride in not posting until my opinions are solid in the overview as well as the details... but this time, I have to report a big wash of mediocre music presented by W. Axl Rose and those unfortunate enough to be tied to the "Chinese Democracy" CD. Sorry, folks, but I can't name a thing about one song that isn't true about all of 'em... so you get the summation: this CD shows the vast difference between the talent that made "Appetite for Destruction" and the "Use Your Illusion" pair... and the band Axl's fronting now. The biggest issue is style, or rather that the new material lacks any what'soever in comparison to what was. I literally could not mentally hang onto anything to make any of the songs memorable, not a single thing. After a few listens to the CD on a recent road trip, I rented the "Use Your Illusion II" DVD just to see and hear what had been before; the older material was more fun, more decadent, and had buckets of musical style that the new stuff completely lacks-be it Slash's artful slop, Duff's in-your-face bass bashing, or even the solid but tuneful contributions of Izzy, Gilby, and Matt. The tones are pretty generic, but that's a perfect fit for the CD. // 4
Lyrics and Singing: I wish any of the lyrics were memorable enough to have a real impression. The lyrics were as blah as the music, and Axl delivered them with all his usual feel... but somehow less dynamics. My overall impression is that Axl got what he wanted, but it's miles from anything worth listening to. // 1
Impression: This CD is missing everything that made G'n'R great to listen to before: the fun, the danger, the dementia, and the manic energy born from insecurity, alcohol, drugs, and restless creativity. This CD is soulless, and I was grossly disappointed. I was a teen when the band broke, but this CD just makes me eager for another Velvet Revolver disc. // 2
Reviewed by:
unregistered, on january 12, 2009 0 of 0 people found this review helpful
Sound: I'll make this a quick review. I really wasn't sure what to expect out of this album. Part of me was hoping that it would sound horrible so I would have more reason to not want to listen to the newer Guns N' Roses and part of me was hoping for a rebirth. With this in mind I tried to be as open as humanly possible. So without any bias remarks towards Slash or Axl, here I go. The sound is new, period. Nothing that really stands out as classic Guns N' Roses so with this in mind I judged it purely on this album. I'm not a fan of chugging out power chords as much as they did in this album but it does fit their new style. For more of the overall band sound, it's catch if you listen to it a couple of times. I know when I listened to it the first time, I was repulsed. But after a few, well more like a dozen more times, I started to find me self getting riffs stuck in my head. Overall the sounds is new, but it can either be a good new if you aren't looking for the classic Guns sound or it can be the absolute worst thing Gun's have produce if you're looking for classic Guns N' Roses. Overall, it's Guns N' Roses meets 21st Century. I give this a 7. // 7
Lyrics and Singing: This is the short category. The lyrics were an up and down roller coaster. Some of the lyrics Axl came up with were absolutely brilliant and others I wasn't a fan for. I get more in-depth in the next section. Overall i give it a 8. The best lyrics in the song comes from This I Love:
"So if she's somewhere near me
I hope to God she hears me
There's no one else
Could ever make me feel
I'm so alive
I hoped she'd never leave me
Please God you must believe me
I've searched the universe
And found myself
Within her eyes" // 8
Impression: Going into the songs in some detail:
01.Chinese Democracy: the intro built up the suspense for me but as soon as the distorted guitar kicked in, I lost my initial interest. I knew that this wasn't going to be the same GNR that we all fell inlove with. With this in mind, I push past the NIN guitar sound and listened to the rest of the song. The solo fills were a nice touch and overall it was a good song to introduce listeners to the new Guns N' Roses. Rating: 8
02.Shackler's Revenge: it seems more and more with people that you either love this song, or hate it. For me, I love parts of it, and hate most of it. The intro was probably the worst part of the song. The verses got old in a hurry for me. The only good part of the song that appealed for me was the chorus. I love the chord progression and the lead guitar on wah (I think? ). Axl's vocals complement the chorus really well too. If it wasn't for the the rest of the song and just the chorus I'd give it a 9. But in reality, I give it a 5
03.Better: "Better" was a relief after the last song mostly because of the flip around. Still the intro was a little annoying, with the high guitar and poppy drum beat along with axl's poppy vocals, but once the verse started, I enjoyed it a lot more. For the chorus, it seemed to lack something but I could handle it more. The solo's was an upside to the song adding what lacked in the chorus, mainly because the last song for the solo it didn't really seem to fit. The breakdown was okay but overall I give this song an 8. P.S. great sweeps.
04.Street of Dreams: first song in the album that grabbed all of my attention. Piano was great, vocals were great, and the guitars/soloing was great. Overall the song was put together nicely and everything seemed to flow. Intro reminds me of November Rain a little bit but not as good. First song to get higher than an 8. I give this a 9.
05.If The World: huge huge downfall from the past couple songs. Everything about this song seems wrong. Way to poppy for me. Drums, the bass, the strings, the guitar, and Axl's voice was a big bringer downer. Not much to say about this song other than one of the weakest songs on the album. I give it a 3.
06.There Was A Time: along with "If The World" another weaker song for the album. Although it was better than the previous with the chord progressions in the verse it wasn't enough to save itself. The chorus was just plan boring and didn't fit the rest of the song. Really disappointing for a decent verses. Break down and solo brought the song back up from a bad chorus. I think since they rebuilt up from the breakdown and faded out I'm able to learn to love it. Song salvages itself after the chorus' are down so it deserves a 6.
07.Catcher In The Rye: just when I started to lose all hope of GNR having a great album for a century break, they come back with this song. Good mixture of piano and guitar that I've missed for so long. Amazing lyrics and guitar licks. Awesome mixture and useage of all the instruments that Axl brought in. The solo actually fits the song too!!! I was fairly excited by this event. Brings the excitement back into the album. This is the song that saves Chinese Democracy's middle lineup. I give it a 9.
08.Scraped: I'd have to scrap this song. First off the beginning with Axl and the other voices, doesn't go well with me. The guitar riffs I can admire but overall the vocals don't do justice for Axl Rose. Once again, I get the NIN feeling in this song. Doesn't flow well so I give it a 5.
09.Riad N' The Bedouins: interesting intro which builds suspense. Not a fantastic song but a decent song for Chinese Democracy. The big thing was that I didn't get a great feeling that verse leading into the chorus wasn't really made for eachother. It just happened. Also the chorus wasn't anything fantastic either. The guitars play two main chords which coming out of kick ass verses it's hard to believe. Not a great song but not an aweful song. Overall, 7 worthy.
10.Sorry: "Sorry" is another song that sets itself apart from classic Guns and helps put a new image. I love the heavy chorus and great lyrics. Not a great fan of the verses but unlike most of the songs on here, it fits the rest of the song. Another thing that fits the song are the solo's! Yay!!! I give it an 8
11.I.R.S.: I don't like the intro with the drums and Axl's voice but other than that, this isn't that bad of a song. Awesome guitar riffs and lead parts, including the solo. Catchy rhythm and words. I caught myself singing the chorus. This song signifies the beginning of the end and I unlike most other believe this is a great song. I give it an 8 over all though because of the intro and the little breakdown at 2:20 that didn't fit the song as well as it could have.
12.Madagascar: I like it but I don't know what to think of it or write about it. Not much to write about it. I will agree though that sound bytes takes away from the guitar solo but I do like the choices in what was put in it. Really the only song that I actually believed that the drum sound was alright for. Great guitar riffs once again and solo's. I give it an 8.
13.This I Love: this is my favorite song on the CD, and really the only reason why I listened to it for the second time, which gave me a chance to like other songs and save the album from my dusty shelves. Great melody with the vocals and piano. Best lyrics out of any song on the CD. Brings back older GNR. The chorus I fell in love with almost right away. Axl really puts himself back up to the place he should be with this song. For some reason I can't help think that he had parts of this back long ago around Use Your Illusion. I'll admit that the guitar solo is pretty sweet but I'd like to see what Slash would have done with this. I wouldn't have mind it if it was over 7 minutes long. Overall my favorite song and the only song to get a 10.
14.Prostitute: not much to say for this song. It was above mediocre but nothing that stands out. Bits and pieces of this song sounded awesome but there seems to be too much going on during the whole song. It could've came up with a better song to close with but did a decent job with this song. I'll give it a 7.5.
The whole album was a roller coaster. The only thing that did well was grabbing my attention when I almost lost it. Few songs on this album actually make me want to pick up the guitar and play along. If I lost it, I'd probably go on iTunes and buy select songs from it. Decent album, but I was expecting much more from a CD that took over a decade to make. // 7
Reviewed by:
unregistered, on february 02, 2009 0 of 0 people found this review helpful
Sound: The new GNR should be treated as a totally different band. If you listen to Chinese Democracy with that approach, this album is pretty damn good. The sound ranges from computerized mega-distorted guitar to classical spainish/flamenco. I really think Axl, Buckethead and whoever else he happens to feel like having behind him for the time being, mad a pretty damn good album. I took away a few points for the Pro Tools, at least get a drummer, man! // 8
Lyrics and Singing: Not as many kickass lyrics like Welcome to the Jungle and Shotgun Blues but this album minus a few songs is made up of power ballads. (the only swear word is in Riad n the Bedouins ("I don't give a F*** about them") All the lyrics are pretty much break up songs except for songs like Shacklers Revenge Chinese Democracy Scraped and Riad N The Bedouins. My favorite is probably "SO bittersweet this tradgedy, won't ask for absolution, this melody inside of me still searches for solution" from Better (arguably the best song on the album). // 9
Impression: Comparable to Nine Inch Nails (probably because of Robin Fink), this album is awesome and definatly worth the money. I like the difference in the tracks, especially from Shackler's Revenge to Street of Dreams, Chinese Democracy to This I Love. I really can't decide on the best tracks because they are all pretty good. If mine got lost I would DEFINATELY go get another one (though it's already on iTunes). Nice job, Axl and Co., but try to make the next one just a little bit faster (and with a real drummer on all the tracks). By the way, Anyone know what happened to the Dr. Pepper thing? // 10
Reviewed by:
W METALLICA W, on october 16, 2009 0 of 0 people found this review helpful
Sound: Well to me this album sounds really.. Really over the top sonically. The distortion on the guitars is really digital sounding and there is all kinds of different things going on musically in each and every song. I don't really see this mimicking any particular sound or style, I think it just represents Axl Rose at this point in time (big production). I mean I have to admit at first I really disliked this, but after listening to this album over and over and over again many times I think I can come out of it saying it's definitely good. // 8
Lyrics and Singing: I truly believe the lyrics on this album are incredible. The 2 songs that really come to mind lyrically (for me at least) are Catcher in the Rye, and Street of Dreams. Both songs are absolutely fantastic, 10/10 and I think Axl just wrote his heart out. Those two by themselves kind of make up for a few songs I can't stand (lyrically and otherwise) like scraped and shacklers revenge. Otherwise, the lyrics are nothing short of what Axl is capable of. Very very good. // 9
Impression: I'd say its a very good album considering the situation that the band is currently in and has been in for years since the 90's. I wouldn't really bother comparing it to other albums because this one is very unique with all the hype and waiting that came with it. I believe the best songs on it are Catcher in the Rye and Street of Dreams, but I'll list out all the songs so you get a better idea. I love the creativity and the new sound from GNR but I hate how confusing it can be at times.
01.Chinese Democracy: 6/10 decent song. nothing special at all.
02.Shacklers Revenge: 1/10 no idea why this is on the album.
03.Better: pretty good song 7/10
04.Street of Dreams: 10/10 incredible song
05.If the World: 6/10 takes too long to get into it
06.There Was a Time: 7/10 excellent lead guitar work here
07.Catcher in the Rye: 10/10 as close to a perfect song as ive heard
08.Scraped: 3/10 I can see where they were going with it.. but it sucks
09.Rhiad N' the Bedouins: 5/10 Axl's singing on this one is annoying
10.Sorry: 8/10 I need to listen to this song more, because its solid
11.IRS: 9/10 awesome tune, no flaws really in my opinion
12.Madagascar: 8/10 not sure about the MLK thing.. but good song
13.This I Love: 7/10 really, really interesting song. very.. romantic
14.Prostitute: 6/10 nothing really impresses me with this one
I think the best way to determine my overall rating is to average things out. So I just added up every rating I gave it, and divided by 16 (sound + lyrics + each song) / 16 comes out to a 6.8 and I agree. So 7 solid album, nothing to write home about however. // 7
Reviewed by:
miskatsu, on october 05, 2009 0 of 0 people found this review helpful
Sound: This album has no such raw emotion as when it featured Slash and Duff. Without Slashes bluesy licks this is not an Hard Rock GNR album, which I miss. Buckethead plays beautiful lead parts, and Robin Fincks solo in 'This I Love' is the only solo with some emotion. The album leaves an wall-like feeling. It is my favourite bands newest album, but it has no soul, like in 'Welcome to the Jungle', 'Sweet Child O' Mine' or in 'November Rain'.
Axl went bananas in the studio, and started to play with the effect buttons. I'd say, that he has went bananas from money and power. He used way too many elements, and if he wonders, why doesn't the song, 'Chinese Democracy', be in radio and TV, is because he ruined the song and the album with the non-sense intro something 40 seconds long with people talking something in China. Way to go, nut-case! (Please don't get offended by the last comment! Someone had to say it!)
It 'Leaves the taste that's bitter sweet,
where's gone the blues?' (Edited lyrics from 'Street of Dreams')
Slash back to Guns! // 7
Lyrics and Singing: Lyrics were a disappointment, which weren't so original and good. In fact, it has no emotion and soul, as I mentioned before. I have nothing else to say about the lyrics, other than his inspiration changes with every song from place to place. Overall under nothing special with the lyrics. Axl sings his s*&% lyrics as well as always. // 6
Impression: I had high hopes with this album. I got it for Christmas, and I just had got new stereo system in my room, and I started to listen to it. I listened for half of the song 'Chinese Democracy', and I put the album in to the shelve, and then I listened to GNR 'Greatest Hits'. I was truly shocked of the new direction of Guns.
In the end of my Christmas vacation, I regained my courage and started listening to Chinese Democracy. Now I had the courage to listen to it, and now I have to say, ais the only good song there. I must mention 'There was a Time' as an second best song in the album. Not so effect-pumped like other songs.
Overall, I am disappointed. This was nothing special. If this album would disappear, it wouldn't be so missed. // 2
Reviewed by:
reddbaron12, on april 07, 2009 0 of 0 people found this review helpful
Sound: The sound of Chinese Democracy is clearly over-processed, crunchy guitars (Chinese Democracy, Shackler's Revenge), random little things thrown in, such as spanish-sounding licks (If The World), strange noises that could or could not be guitars or even musical instruments (Better), and pianos. (Street of Dreams, This I Love) You can tell that Axl Rose really has put A lot into this album, so many unheard things that make the sound so much richer, and fuller, the album is put together very carefully. Although in theory, this could make it perfect, it doesn't all fit together, Axl doesn't seem to have a specific direction he wants to go in. // 7
Lyrics and Singing: Chinese Democracy. Bold statement eh? Nay. One song dedicated to that ideal, the first track, seems to insult China (it was banned there, of course), although he barely touches on this subject, my theory is he ended up wanting to abandon the idea of Chinese Democracy, and couldn't, because he was so deep in the media, and all that. Chinese Democracy (song) is for the common man, the one who isn't an avid fan of Guns N' Roses, this merely says "Here it is, Chinese Democracy", but after that song, he delves deeper. What exactly is he getting at? It's hard to say, he has heartfelt slow songs, rockers. In the end, the lyrics have no central theme, although no one said it was a concept album, all great albums' songs seem have some undefineable quality that links them together. He wrote this over such a long period of time, he obviously tried many song ideas, and picked the ones he liked best, so obviously the songs don't exactly fit together. Perhaps we'll see what he goes into the next album. (In 2026 possibly.) // 6
Impression: Compared to other Guns albums, this shouldn't be compared. It should not be called Guns N' Roses, it's Axl Rose. Sure, he's got his slew of random guitarists with no particulraly great skills, but it's him. Some of the best songs include: Chinese Democracy, Better, Street of Dreams, This I Love. What I love about the album is hard to say, it's got undeniable charm, his songwriting has not dulled. What I hate, is the songs sound all different, and the album is long. It's almost impossible to listen to in one sitting. If you love Guns, pick it up. If not, it's worth a look. // 8
Reviewed by:
the1967mustang, on december 25, 2008 0 of 0 people found this review helpful
Sound: I have been a Guns N' Roses fan for years now, and I have everything from Appetite for Destruction to Use Your Illusions, (everything in between) and when I was very excited for this album, even thought Axl was the only person left. At first, I didn't like the album very much at all. but after listening to it anywhere I went, I really started to like it. It never will sound as good as the original Guns, but they are still Guns n roses and they still made a great album. // 9
Lyrics and Singing: To start off, Axl Roses' voice is still just as good as it was, if he uses it right. There are songs on here that definitly show how good he is. He does experiment a little, but in a good way, usually. His lyrics are very good, and he did a very good job.
01.Chinese Democracy: easily one of my favorites off this album. It starts off with a good riff, and and also shows that Axl can sound just as good as he used to.
02.Shackler's Revenge: a lot of people, I have noticed, don't like this song. I, myself, like this song alot. The only thing that I noticed was that it sounds way too much like modern rock from the 2000's, not the good old 80's GN'R. The guitar is pretty good, but, doesn't sound like GN'R.
03.Better: this song could fit in with with earlier GN'R stuff really easily. Axl is very good on this song vocals sound different, but good. the guitar was very good on this track, in my opinion.
04.Street of Dreams: people were saying how this was one of the best songs on the album, but I don't think it is. The song itself is very good. But, I don't like Axls first voice tone when he starts the song. I like the second one, the screaming, raspy one. But this song is very good, nonetheless.
05.If The World: this song was so weird when I first heard it. I just thought, "This isn't GN'R!." But after listening to the album alot, I have come to love this song. If you listen to it after awhile, you will come to like the sound of the song.
06.There Was A Time: pretty good song. This song is a lot like If The World, GN'R experimented with their sound. It turned out pretty good. Axl did a good job singing.
07.Catcher In The Rye: one of the suckier songs on this album. Maybe if Brian May's part was left in it would be a little better, but doubtful. I don't like Axls voice on this one. It just doesn't sound like him. He did a good job, but I want different from him.
08.Scraped: one of my personal favorites. Starts with Screams from Axl, then some booming riffs, all put together to make the heaviest song on the cd. Sadly, it is the shortest song on the cd, but it is one of the best.
09.Riad N' The Bedouins: the other sucky song on this cd. I don't like this song, it doesn't sound very good. There isn't much to say except, not a good song.
10.Sorry: a very good song on this album. Axl sounds great, and his lyrics rock. A new sound for GN'R, but very good. Great slower song.
11.IRS: this is another song that is good. Lyrics are good, but would have been better if he had a little more emotion, well more screaming. Very good song though. Guitar riffs and solos pretty good.
12.Madagasgar: a completely different sound for GN'R, but it is a good song. Later on in the song, it gos into quotes and such, which do last a long time, but oh well. Axls tone is pretty good, just have to get used to it.
13.This I Love: very good ballad, but I had to get used to it before I liked it. As with all these songs, they have to grow on you.
Guitar sounds a little to distorted for a ballad, but still good.
14.Prostitute: last song on the cd, and a good one at that. Axl rocks, and it shows here. Perfect closer to a great cd. // 8
Impression: This album sounds like it came right after the Use You Illusions. I can't believe it took around 17 years to finish. I just hope it doesn't take that long for the next one to come out. Chinese Democracy showed that they are a good band with the new members, and can do a good job. Hopefully, someday we will get the orginal GN'R back, but that is a slim chance. The best songs were 1.Chinese Democracy 2.Scraped and 3.Shacklers Revenge/Better. Love - Axls singing, they finally came out with the cd. Hate - the originals are not there. If it was stolen or I lost it, or it got deleted off my computer, I would get another one. // 9
Reviewed by:
schmurnan, on november 28, 2008 0 of 0 people found this review helpful
Sound: Any album that has been closely monitored and scrutinised for the better part of 2 decades is never going to live up to the expectation, no matter whose album it is or how good it is. So to ask whether this lives up to the hype is extremely unfair. But that's not to say I think this album is particularly worthy of the hype it has received.
From start to finish, this album screams over-production. It is adventurous at times, it is unique at times. But for the most part, it's a bit too much. Axl's voice still sounds great, considering the amount of abuse his vocal chords must take with his method of singing (and the fact that he's now 46 years old). It's bound to dither with age, but it still stands up and it's still recognizable. The guitaring throughout the album is pretty good and it's clear that many different players performed on 'Chinese Democracy' - there doesn't seem to be a distinct style across any of the tracks... which isn't necessarily a bad thing. After all, you only have to look at the production notes to see just how many people were involved in this record. As a huge fan of Slash I've refrained from jumping on the "it's nowhere near as good as Slash' bandwagon because I don't think it's intended to sound like Slash. The apparent reason for Slash's departure from Guns (apart from finally getting fed up of Axl's growing need for control and erratic behaviour) was down to musical direction: Slash wanted to keep making records that oozed raunch and sleaze like Appetite For Destruction; whereas Axl wanted to experiment a little more, see what other sounds could be achieved, get into the electronics a bit more (as unsuccessfully portrayed in Use Your Illusion II's 'My World'). If Axl Rose were to come out and produce an album that sounded very much the same as the old Guns N' Roses, he'd pretty much be a hypocrite. Thankfully he hasn't done that; he's stuck to his guns (excuse the pun) and released an album of material that differs from anything Guns N' Roses fans were used to. But at the end of the day, maybe it's just too different. // 6
Lyrics and Singing: One of Axl Rose's greatest attributes for me has always been his ability to produce fantastic lyrics. But I have to agree with some of the other reviewers that his lyrics are a bit hit-and-miss on 'Chinese Democracy'. Considering the amount of time this album has been in the works, I think many people expected really profound content. Unfortunately, it just isn't there. I think the lyrics, as with everything else on this album, have been over-produced. And this is more of a personal preference than anything else, but I used to love the old Axl Rose lyrics that were "f**k this" and "f**ck that". It suited his personality. But that has all but gone. There are only one or two explicit lyrics so far that I've picked up on in 'Chinese Democracy'. I'm not saying I condone potty-mouthed lyrics, but I think they fit perfectly with Axl Rose's demeanour and style. Sorry, Axl Rose's OLD demeanour and style. // 5
Impression: Some tracks on 'Chinese Democracy' have been around for so many years now that it seems Axl's had too much time to make "refinements" to them. A lot of the earlier versions of some of these songs were much better, in my personal opinion. However, the more I listen to this record, the more it grows on me (at the moment, at least). Maybe if I were to write another review in 2 months' time my rating would be considerably different. There are a lot of people out there who are slating this album - comments like "this isn't a classic GN'R album it's an Axl Rose album" and "it's nothing like Appetite" are all over the Internet. To a certain extent I agree with these statements, but not entirely. If this album is compared to Appetite For Destruction or even the Use Your Illusion albums, then yes it is a long way away from the band we used to love. But this IS a Guns N' Roses album, albeit a different incarnation of Guns N' Roses. Having seen this particular version of the band perform live, I feel that I'm qualified to say that Axl Rose is the only remnant of the former GN'R left, and beyond that this is a new band producing entirely different material (Dizzy Reed isn't an original member of GN'R so I'm including him as "new"). There is a lot of talent in the new version of the band (particularly Ron 'Bumblefoot' Thal), but I don't think they quite work as "Guns N' Roses". There have been too many personnel changes to really call this a band anyway, you might say. But if this album is considered as a standalone piece, nothing to do with "Guns N' Roses" then it has sparks of really good potential. Some tracks do leave you wondering "how the hell did this take 17 years to produce?!", tracks such as 'Shackler's Revenge', 'If The World' and 'I.R.S.' are poor songs by anyone's standards, not just Axl Rose. But then we have songs like 'Better', 'Street Of Dreams' and 'This I Love' which are, at times, brilliant. I'm still confused as to why 'Sorry' was ever written and recorded, because for me it doesn't really fit with anything else on this album. I like it, it's a good song, but it just doesn't fit well.
I think overall, 'Chinese Democracy' has moments of ingenuity and potential, but none of the ponce and swagger that has previously been associated with Axl Rose and "Guns N' Roses". There are too many poor songs for the good ones to save. Rose has constantly been seeking 'the perfect album', but perfection is a matter of opinion. And in my opinion, 'Chinese Democracy' is some way away from perfect. // 6
Reviewed by:
mercurymay, on november 25, 2008 0 of 0 people found this review helpful
Sound: I don't think I need to take you through the story of Chinese Democracy, considering the staff here at UG have made sure that any development on this album is reported on. Being a hardcore GN'R fan, I held a grudge against Axl for arguably being the chief cause of the original lineup disbanding, and I thought it was a travesty that he got a new band under the name of Guns N' Roses. With this background, I was listening to the Internet leaks a couple of years ago with a critical mindset, not an open one. The first song I heard was "Better." I thought it was... ok. Kind of ok. But when you listen to the album as a whole, you can't help but appreciate every song, and be blown away.
It's hard to pigeon-hole "Chinese Democracy" into a genre. It's got elements of Pop, Punk, Rock, Blues, Ballad, Metal and Industrial. When GN'R came out with "Appetite For Destruction" in 1987, Rock N' Roll changed a lot. It was a groundbreaking record, and "Chinese Democracy" has the same effect. We're surrounded by mediocrity in the form of Green Day, and other iffy bands that appeal mostly to 14 year old girls while they flip through their music on their pink iPod nanos, and "Chinese Democracy" is an effort to redeem the reputation of Rock N Roll. 13 out of the 14 tracks in the album are mindblowing, save "Riad N' The Bedouins," which seems to me like a chaotic cocktail, or better put, a clusterf--k. The production quality on the album as a whole is excellent, with every instrument and sound easily distinguishable. // 9
Impression: You can't really compare "Chinese Democracy" to any other album. To me it sounds pretty groundbreaking and revolutionary. There are a few rare albums which can only be listened to as albums. I couldn't imagine playing only one song from this album and then moving on to Iron Maiden or something. To fully appreciate this album, listen to it from beginning to end more than once. I've been thinking about which songs are the most impressive on this album, and I don't have a concrete answer for you. Each song leaves a different impression on the listener, except for "Riad N' the Bedouins," which would probably win the "WTF Award" at the Grammys. What I love most about the album is how it really is an example of Axl Rose's artistry. You hear stories about his perfectionism, and it shows in this album. It's a good reminder to the listener that Guns N' Roses are nothing short of original.
There are a couple of things I hate about the album:
1. Why did I have to wait so long?
2. Forum posters on UG who use unintelligent lines like "This isn't a Guns N' Roses album, it's an Axl Rose album." Shut up. The Dr. Pepper jokes became boring after a week. Stop it.
3. There aren't more songs. I could easily listen to this album non stop all day and forget about other things I have to do like eat or go to University.
If this album were stolen or lost, I'd be pissed. Then I'd take the bus to HMV and pick up another copy. // 10
Reviewed by:
Dave Frenzy, on november 25, 2008 0 of 1 people found this review helpful
Sound: Ok this being my first reveiw im warning you all now there will be some bad grammer/spelling in here. This is a very controversial Cd so im going to try not to add any opinions of axel or past members of this band. The sound of the Cd isnt what i expected, its a cross between old GNR and Pendulum and the NIN inuluence is noticable. The drumming is good and has good beats throughout all the songs. The Guitars are where it starts to go down hill. The rythem guitars are good but on some songs it seems like whoever is playig the solo goes crazy and tries to be a slash/morello crossover and it doesnt always work but after listening to the songs a few times you accept that this is the new GNR sound and its not that bad. // 10
Lyrics and Singing: lyrics are good, classic GNR. I wouldn't want to go on and on about the significance of line after line so here it all is in a nut shell. It has been well mixed with the old style Axel vocals on all the songs, the only dodgy vocals are in the intro to Street Of Dreams where he sounds like the frontman of a bad A7X tribute band but wierdly it seems to fit with the song. // 8
Impression: To be totaly honest it's an album that I wanted to hate but I just cant, it's too catchy. the best tracks on the album (in my opinion) are "shacklers revenge" for it's modern aproatch to the intro, "better" it's an epic song I can't describe it, you will understand when you hear it. The thing I don't like about the album is on the cover, the part by "chinese democracy" that says "Guns N Roses", this isnt GNR that made this album, it's a new band that just happens to have axle rose and dizzy reed from guns n roses in it. Axle would have done better to have left that band name behind. overall the time spent making this album and all that has gone on in that time has been worth it, we have had 2 great bands out of it; velvet revolver and Guns N Roses. // 8
Reviewed by:
iron_maiden97, on november 25, 2008 0 of 1 people found this review helpful
Sound: After a 15 year wait, Chinese Democracy has finally come out. Does it live up to the hype? For the most part. Although, I don't think it should have been called a guns n roses album and more an Axl Rose solo album(which it is essentially), it lives up to it's name. // 8
Lyrics and Singing: It's a very different sound for this band. They went from the classic rock roots to more of an industrial metal band.
01.Chinese Democracy: after what I think is an unnecessary intro, the guitar kicks in and you can hear for the most part what kind of album it will be. Axl recorded 2 sets of vocals for the verses, giving him a high and low register vocal line, showing his wide range. Overall, this song has the GNR kcik in the face kind of sound with an industrial metal twist. Shackler's Revenge: Personally, I think that this song could have been omitted from the tracklist. it's a decent song but probably the furthest from a GNR song you can get.
02.Better: starting off with a catchy guitar riff and a high vocal line, the rest of the band kicks in for a very punchy verse and chorus. This is very good song, and possibly one of the best on the album.
03.Street of Dreams: this is one of my favorites. It is a piano driven song with deep lyrics by Axl, who goes back to his old raw, raspy voice which is something I love. Great guitar solo making the song complete.
04.If The World: a very different song. This shows the diversity of the band(particularly the guitarists)as it is very different from not only old GNR but the newer line-up as well. The spanish guitar in the beginning is very catchy. An overall good track.
05.There was a Time: this song didn't really catch me. it's lyrics had potential for a great kickass song, but the music changes it completely. Wasn't very impressed by this one.
06.Catcher in the Rye: good Track. Starting off with blues guitar over a piano track. Probably one opf the best songs on the album.
07.Scraped: well... I love Axl's voice and every one of his screams, but I think the ah's in the beginning were pointless. Otherwise a decent song. Reminds me of something that might of been on Use Your Illusion II.
08.Riad and the Bedouins: almost a return to the Appetite days. Very punchy and pissed off song. Pretty decent song.
09.Sorry: this one sounds as if Axl was broken up with and is feeling very down on himself. I like how it is a piano song other than the very angry chorus. Very good song.
10.IRS: this is a song that sounds like it should have been written back when GNR was just starting. Axl's vocals are a little weak on this track unfortunatly.
11.Madagascar: if I had to pick one word for this song it would have to be: EPIC. It starts off with a synth progression that lasts most of the song. The recorded voices over the breakdown/solos make this song so much better. My absolute favorite off the whole album.
12.This I Love: another very good song. A mostly piano song again but very far away from the GNR ballad genre. Almost bluesy vocal line. Robin Finck blew my mind with his solo. Who would have thought that someone who plays guitar in Nine Inch Nails and made such heavy riffs on earlier songs could do such a soft passionate solo. I truely can't decide on one favorite part of this amazing song.
13.Prostitute: another one of my favorites. Starting off with a catchy riff, it goes into a heavy chorus. The lyrics are very deep and some of my favorites from the album. Overall great song.
And with that Chinese Democracy is over. // 9
Impression: I don't really think you can compare this to any other GNR album, simply because this is not guns n roses. As an Axl Rose solo project, it is amazing. If he had released this ten years ago, it would have changed the face of the music world. The most impressive songs on the album in my opinion are Better, Street of Dreams, Madagascar, This I Love and Prostitute. If this was lost or stolen, I would most definatly buy a new one, mostly because I love cd's but still this is an overall good album. It's too bad that the old line-up is not still together, but then I am happy that they broke up becuase otherwise, this would be a very different album. Albeit there would probably be three or four other gnr albums by now, I am very proud of this album. // 9
Reviewed by:
hawkdude9, on november 27, 2008 0 of 1 people found this review helpful
Sound: This album is seriously underrated for many reasons. No, Slash is not on this album. Yes, it is a more modern album than traditional guns n' roses. Yes, the new guitarists' way of playing has influenced this album. Buckethead and the guitarist for Nine Inch Nails are on this album, among others (I know you're all gonna be like, "Buckethead?????" but his soloing isn't the focal point of the soloing or the songs, thankfully) But I hate how people say this is a bad album. People need to get over the fact that the old Guns n' Roses is gone. None of the original members of the band are in the modern GNR except for Axl Rose, which, strangely, I don't mind. there are many songs on the album that sound like old GNR just more modern. There are also songs that sound like the whole (original) band is there. this is probably because the new members know it needs to sound at least a little like the old GNR to get the album sold. Before I start reviewing the songs one by one, I would like to say this: The songs are the progressive style of songs. They get better as the song goes on, and that can be a good thing and a bad thing, but I will talk about that more in my overall impression. I will now proceed to rate and review the songs.
01.Chinese Democracy: the title track, what the album is supposed to be summed up in. After about a minute of background noise, which sounds like a chinese market or something, the guitar blasts in with a very processed, over drive, start-stop riff that builds up to create the riff for the whole track. Axl does one of his really high screams and the rest of the band comes in. Axl is singing with his layered vocals (low tone singing with a little high singing on top). after 2 verses and 2 choruses, the first guitar solo comes in (I can't remember who does this one) and then buckethead comes in with his solo, which, strangely, suits the song. after soloing into the next chorus, the song ends with a chord closing and some eerie wind in the background. after this song, I couldn't wait to hear the second song.//9.5
02.Shackler's Revenge: this song is definitely the hookiest song on the album. The song comes in with a strange start-stop buckethead riff and the rest of the band comes in. Axl is singing very low in the first half of the verse, but does the layering at the second half. the song gets slightly happier at the pre-chorus, but blasts into buckethead soloing over the chorus with the powerchord rhythm guitar and axl screaming as high as he can. the song at this point is very hooky and makes you want to sing along. after two of these, buckethead does a riff and stops suddenly. the band then goes right into a solo that sounds really weird and goes all over the fretboard. they then break into a prechorus, and then the chorus with buckethead soloing over the whole thing with his coolest solo on the album, they repeat the chorus twice, and end the song.//10
03.Better: this is the point in the album where it gets mellower and starts with a melancholy guitar riff and an electronic beat (strangely) with axl singing very softly to the tune of the guitar. The band then blasts into the verse with a clean start-stop guitar riff. Axl's singing sounds like he had his heart broken. they then go into the chorus with very heavy guitars. this sounds almost exactly like slash was writing it, and axl starts yelling. the song continues and strangely feels sadder with some keyboard in the background, almost not loud enough to hear. in the end of the second chorus, Axl yells like his cat just ripped his arm off of it's socket. They then break into a brief but sweet guitar solo. A bridge then ensues with axl singing really high, like a standard GNR song. Buckethead goes into his own riff as they go into the third chorus. After this, one of the guitarists does a very bluesy, sad solo to the melody of the vocals. The rest of the song goes on with Axl singing no, no, no, no. With that in the background, Axl sings another verse, and the band stops except for the guitarist and axl, as they do another riff and end the song. the chorus is a little too heavy for the verse, but it's still freaking awesome.//9
04.Street of Dreams: this is one of the more keyboard driven songs of the album, clearly inspired by Paradise City. The guitar then boosts into it with a few power chords, but stops as axl starts singing the beginning of the first voice. this is axl's best song on vocals, I think. It's very mellow, but powerful at the same time, and has a swing feel to it. It's really a pretty happy song, and at the same time very powerful. There is a very driving guitar solo in it, and the band does a very good job of preventing the song. There isn't much buckethead influence in the song, so those of you who don't like him very much will be happy.//8
05.If The World: this is not a standard GNR song. It has many elements of funk, spanish, and other types of other music. The guitar has lots of wah pedal in it. It's a really cool groove. there is keyboard in the background. The guitar then breaks into the chorus riff which is the funky wah riff in the verse but distorted and without wah. after a few verses there is a solo that sounds very pink floyd-ish to me. There is also less Buckethead on this song, too.//8
06.There Was a Time: it starts off with something that sounds like choir chants, and breaks into an eerie guitar riff playing to the melody that axl is singing. the keyboards play a false string part in the background, and the drums slowly progress to the chorus. which is very, very heavy. It sounds like appetite for destruction guitars. The song progresses on to the second chorus getting louder as it gets there. then there is a standard piano part under axl singing a bridge/verse(? ). The song then goes into a slow guitar solo that progresses as it goes on. and after a chorus, The guitar does a solo into another bridge by axl and then there is a very simple effect driven solo that gets more complex as it goes on. The song is very good, but, like a lot of the other songs on the album, it gets better as it progresses, which sometimes takes a lot of unneeded time.//8
07.Catcher In the Rye: this song is another keyboard-starter. After the keyboard opens, the guitar plays one chord after another that ring out, and the bass guitar hits notes every time the bass drum hits. a soloing guitar is going on in the background to the melody of axl's voice. after the next heavy chorus, the keyboards come in with another piano-driven part. Another chorus comes in with the heavy distorted guitars, and then goes into a bluesy guitar solo worthy of Slash. The song then goes into another 3 unneeded verse/choruses while soloing into the last chorus the song ends. I don't like this song very much because of the endless verses/choruses/brides or whatever. It just takes too long! //6
08.Scraped: this is definitely one of the heaviest songs on the album. It starts off with some screams by axl in melody and harmony but breaks into the same thing but with heavily distorted guitars and drum fills. The chorus enters, and there is very heavy guitar in the background that reminds me kind of of My Michelle off of AFD. In the end of the chorus there is a crazy guitar riff by Buckethead and then they go into a verse and another chorus. The clearly buckethead guitar solo enters with wah pedal and many pull offs. The rhythm guitar in the background is going to the tune of the solo. The song goes into the pre-chorus and chorus with a solo in the background. The song ends with axl screaming and the guitar making a sudden stop. this is a very brief, but exciting song. //9
09.Riad N' The Bedouins: this song has a lot of left turns in it. I think it's the only song with a swear word in it ("Had a plan, and thought they'ed win, but I didn't give a f--k about them.") this is another heavy song with mellow rhythm guitar in the background of the chorus. there is funky wah in one of the riffs after the chorus. It goes into the buckethead guitar solo, and, like a standard buckethead solo, is crazy as hell. Another guitar solo ensues after another chorus, again by buckethead, with axl singing over it. This is another brief, but memorable song off the album.//8
10.Sorry: this is another song with a reasonable amount of funk in it. It starts off really slow and stays slow. This is definitely a late 80's power ballad, which is cool with me. The chorus is very mellow. and very watery. The part where he goes "I'm sorry for you" has really heavy guitars in it. All in all, a pretty good song by GNR.//8
11.I.R.S.: this song starts off with acoustic guitars and a bit of country in it, but goes on to deliver. there are some heavy guitars in the chorus, and in the verse it goes back to the acoustic, and it goes back and forth. The song has an average guitar solo, and the guitar riff is totally 80's GNR.//8
12.Madagascar: the song starts off with some orchestra music that sounds mournful and epic, but goes into a somewhat funky song with the false strings keyboard. There is a good bassline in the verse, but it gets pretty stale after a while. the distorted guitars come in about a minute and 15 seconds into the song. To me, this song is just too slow, and is the kind of old song that old fans will definitely hate. //6
13.Tis I Love: te song starts off with a melodic keyboard intro with Axl doing some of his best lyrics on the album. The song is really sad (in a good way) altogether, and isn't a cheesy sad song bands do to make people think they are emotional. About 2 minutes into the song, the guitars literally come in (it's only keyboard and bass up till that point) and starts soloing. It isn't too crazy, but it definitely fits the song. The drums come in about half way through the solo and axl sings a little more over the ending of the solo and the guitar rings out. There is a brief stop and the keyboard continues and so does Axl's singing. Axl sings his last note and the song fades out. a very ground level and emotional song.//9
14.Prostitute: I always think every album needs to have this: a strong opening song, a strong second song, and a strong ending song AT LEAST. I think this song is a good way to end the album. With a name like "prostitute" it reminded me of kid rock or some other artist with songs like that. There is a slow intro, but the song then kicks into a very strong riff that really moves you. The song is very good and while it isn't really a great ballbreaker, it is definitely a good way to end a record.//9
All in all, The sound of the album is good. The extremely good songs make up for the ones that aren't as good. // 9
Lyrics and Singing: Axl Rose has one of the best voices in Rock/metal music. This statement basically sums up my opinion on his "singer skills" and now I will go into more detail. People say that Axl Rose is narcissistic and stuff all the time, and that is all they remember him for. I remember him as this, and one of the best singers alive. Even 30 years since Appetite for Destruction, Axl Rose's voice is still going strong. There are songs where it sounds like he got kicked in the groin, his voice is so high, and in others it sounds like he's about to burst out crying. In others he can have a bass sound with his voice. It's just amazing. In the song "Chinese Democracy" (and others) he uses a technique where he sings low as the base of the vocals and then adds a smaller layer of higher singing over that, which I think is genius. The lyrics never really struck me as anything groundbreaking, but they can speak to you on emotional levels. This is useful since most of the songs on the album are soft in the beginning (the intro/verse) and heavy in the chorus and end of the song, which works better there. // 9
Impression: If you're a fan of old GNR (like me) it will definitely take some time to warm up to this album. When I heard Chinese Democracy (the song) for the first time, I didn't think the album was going to live up to expectations. But you kinda have to get used to it, first. Then you can enjoy the album for what it is. The most impressive songs off the album are definitely the first few ones, and some at the end. Which brings me into what I like the least about the album: the fact that most of the songs are progressive (with a few exceptions). Some of the songs just take to long to listen to. It takes just too long to get to the point of it. I think this came out of GNR wanting the listeners to get more out of listening to it. But that worked and failed at the same time. This definitely shouldn't be your first GNR album to buy because it doesn't represent them in their entirety; it only represents what the past 10 years have held. I really love this album and have listened to it almost 6 times all the way through since it came out. I hope this has changed your mind about the album and you give it a chance. Before I close, I would like to answer the last part of this: If this was stolen/lost, not only would I buy the CD, I would also buy the Vinyl (record) version of it and get my turntable fixed just to listen to it. Rock on! // 9
Reviewed by:
SlashWannabe1, on december 26, 2008 0 of 1 people found this review helpful
Sound: People have said this album took 17 years to make which is false!. Once the original Guns N Roses lineup broke up there was a new direction taken by Axl Rose due to the fact Axl could not find players weather by bad luck or prefference to fill the void of the loss Slash, Duff, Matt and firing of Gilby Clark and Izzy Stradlins departure which seems to ruin this record at every turn to be a true "Guns N' Roses" Record.
So all things considered, this specific album was about 10 years in the making from conception to release but in reality if you want to convince yourself this is a real Guns N Roses Record you were probably waiting 17 years however you choose to look at it but the fact remains this was the Album Axl was making since 1997 all previous works with the original were shelved/scrapped.
The sound is where this album fails! Axl Rose hired and interviewed many many Guitarists during the writing process of this album and the fact that there wasn't a consistant lineup during the writing process really hurt the cohesivness of the sound this album lacks. Also the fact that many of the guitarists who wrote meterial for this record in the end did not make it on the record to perform their riffs and their solos.
Ron Thal is a great technical guitarist who has a lot of chops as a guitarist but unfortunatly he just really does not cut the mustard as far as riff and solo creation on this album! As far as I'm concerned Ron was misused and in no way a fit for this band given the music at hand.
Buckethead on the other hand was good fit for the band and would have been a decent lead player but like Ron he also suffers from being able to produce a rhythm that's catchy or any memorable leads like his predecessor Slash. So with that said it's very unfortunate that Buckethead left the band as he was the only bright spot of this album next to Axl's timless vocals.
Most of the songs are a mess and have much clutter and it really takes away from the music itself and makes it hard to listen and absorb the first few times through and even if you make it that far you'll still be scratching your head wondering what you've just heard because of how muddy the sound is.
One thing that ruins this record is what appears to be the same Guitar "Tapping" runs used in different keys on all of the songs. This was a band that used to be Hard Rock/Blues guitar playing and based off of simple arrangements to achieve the basic sound of the band and all of the balls that came from that sound of past records is now gone and replaced with solos and rhythms that do not speak to the inner soul of most Guns N' Roses fans and what they expect. // 2
Lyrics and Singing: The Lyrics are typical Axl Rose... Very blunt and to the point. 15 years after Axl Rose's last recorded Vocal effort on an album (The Spaghetti Incident) Axl Rose delivers his signature voice and shows he still has the talent and the attitude to make a Guns N Roses Record but sadly this effort falls flat on it's face due to the background music which takes away the fact your listening to Axl Rose and supposedly a "Guns N Roses" record.
My Opinion of the Vocal blending with the background music is that of a very textured and layered mess except on the song "There Was A Time" in which it is probably the best song on the album due to there being some consistency of a theme and catchy chorus.
The whole theme of this record seems to be Axl being great but the backing music and "Hired Guns" in general just not providing the support Axl needed for this album to be great. // 9
Impression: In all fairness to Axl Rose and this album, It simply was never going to live up to the hype created after many years and false starts and release dates.
What I hate about this album is probably what most Guns N Roses fans in general hate about it and is probably why this record is dropping off the charts like it is, which is what I feel is due to...
#1. Not "Guns N Roses" as hard core fans know it.
#2. No Cohesion in the Lyrics and music
#3. No Cohesion in Guitarists and Song content in general.
#4. it's Just Axl Rose and hired hands who don't have the first clue what Guns N Roses brand of Rock N Roll is about.
#5. lack of any memorable meterial.
Bright spots of the CD include... Axl Rose's vocals and writing and openess to new and complex sounds. He really shows he still has it and should for many years to come! The song "There Was A Time" which has elements of the old GNR that Axl's hired Guns attempted to rip from Slash and the rest of the old band along with Bucketheads touch on the outro which was done tastefull to the Guns N Roses memory but sadly there wasn't enough of it to salvage the album for most Guns fans.
In short if you are looking to listen to a Guns N Roses record then listen to Velvet Revolver or 1985-1995 Guns N Roses. If you are looking to hear an Axl Rose solo effort then be my guest and take a listen. I believe after all the effort put into this album it is at least worth a listen but at the end of the day there is nothing that's going to ever make you want to put it back into your CD player.
With that said download "There Was A Time" on itunes or your favorite peer to peer program and forget about the rest of the album. // 4
Reviewed by:
unregistered, on november 25, 2008 0 of 1 people found this review helpful
Sound: Let's get right to it: The first Guns n' Roses album of new, original songs since the first Bush administration is a great, audacious, unhinged and uncompromising hard-rock record. In other words, it sounds a lot like the Guns n' Roses you know. At times, it's the clenched-fist five that made 1987's perfect storm, Appetite for Destruction; more often, it's the one sprawled across the maxed-out CDs of 1991's Use Your Illusion I and II, but here compressed into a convulsive single disc of supershred guitars, orchestral fanfares, hip-hop electronics, metallic tabernacle choirs and Axl Rose's still-virile, rusted-siren singing.
If Rose ever had a moment's doubt or repentance over what Chinese Democracy has cost him in time (13 years), money (14 studios are listed in the credits) and body count — including the exit of every other founding member of the band — he left no room for it in these 14 songs. "I bet you think I'm doin' this all for my health," Rose cracks through the saturation-bombing guitars in "I.R.S.," one of several glancing references on the album to what he knows a lot of people think of him: that Rose, now 46, has spent the last third of his life running off the rails, in half-light. But when he snaps, "All things are possible/I am unstoppable," in the thumper "Scraped," that's not loony hubris — just a good old rock & roll "f--k you," the kind that made him and the old band hot and famous in the first place.
Something else Rose broadcasts over and over on Chinese Democracy: Restraint is for suckers. There is plenty of familiar guitar firepower — the stabbing-dagger lick that opens the first track, "Chinese Democracy," the sand-devil fuzz in "Riad N' the Bedouins" and the looping squeals over the grand anguish of "Street of Dreams." But what Slash and Izzy Stradlin used to do with two guitars now takes a wall of 'em. On some tracks, Rose has up to five guys — Robin Finck, Buckethead, Paul Tobias, Ron "Bumblefoot" Thal and Richard Fortus — riffing and soloing in broad, saw-toothed blurs. And that's no drag. I still think the wild, superstuffed "Oh My God" — the early Chinese Democracy track wasted on the 1999 End of Days soundtrack — beats everything on Guns n' Roses' 1993 covers album, The Spaghetti Incident?
Most of these songs also go through multiple U-turns in personality, as if Rose kept trying new approaches to a hook or a bridge and then decided, "What the hell, they're all cool." "Better" starts with what sounds like hip-hop voicemail — severely pinched guitar, drum machine and a near-falsetto Rose ("No one ever told me when/I was alone/They just thought I'd know better") — before blowing up into vintage Sunset Strip wallop. "If the World" has Buckethead plucking acoustic Spanish guitar over a blaxploitation-film groove, while Rose shows that he still holds a long-breath vowel — part torture victim, part screaming jet — like no other rock singer.
And there is so much going on in "There Was a Time" — strings and Mellotron, a full-strength choir and Rose's overdubbed sour-growl harmonies, wah-wah guitar and a false ending (more choir) — that it's easy to believe Rose spent most of the past decade on that arrangement alone. But it is never a mess, more like a loud mass of bad memories and hard lessons. In the first lines, Rose goes back to a beginning much like his own — "Broken glass and cigarettes/ Writin' on the wall/It was a bargain for the summer/An' I thought I had it all" — then piles on the wreckage along with the orchestra and guitars. By the end, it's one big melt of missing and kiss-off ("If I could go back in time... But I don't want to know it now"). If this is the Guns n' Roses that Rose kept hearing in his head all this time, it is obvious why two guitars, bass and drums were never going to be enough.
It is plain, too, that he thinks this Guns n' Roses is a band, as much as the one that recorded "Welcome to the Jungle," "Sweet Child O' Mine," "Used to Love Her" and "Civil War." The voluminous credits that come with Chinese Democracy certainly give detailed credit where it is due. My favorite: "Initial arrangement suggestions: Youth on 'Madagascar." Rose takes the big one — "Lyrics N' Melodies by Axl Rose" — but shares full-song bylines with other players on all but one track. Bassist Tommy Stinson plays on nearly every song, and keyboardist Dizzy Reed, the only survivor from the Illusion lineup, does the Elton John-style piano honors on "Street of Dreams."
But Rose still sings a lot about the power of sheer, solitary will even when he throws himself into a bigger fight, like "Chinese Democracy." In "Madagascar," which Rose has played live for several years now, he samples both Dr. Martin Luther King's "I have a dream" speech and dialogue from Cool Hand Luke. And at the end of the album, on the bluntly titled "Prostitute," Rose veers from an almost conversational tenor, over a ticking-bomb shuffle, to five-guitar barrage, orchestral lightning and righteous howl: "Ask yourself/Why I would choose/To prostitute myself/To live with fortune and shame." To him, the long march to Chinese Democracy was not about paranoia and control. It was about saying "I won't" when everyone else insisted, "You must." You may debate whether any rock record is worth that extreme self-indulgence. Actually, the most rock & roll thing about Chinese Democracy is he doesn't care if you do. // 9
Lyrics and Singing: hings kick off with the title track. Already heavily previewed on radio, it opens with a montage of sirens and Chinese dialogue before bursting into life with a riff of speaker-endangering proportions and Rose's trademark falsetto squeal.It's followed by the pounding Shackler's Revenge, whose heavily distorted guitar shows Rose has been paying attention to the innovations of Tom Morello and Matt Bellamy. Several of the songs have been previewed in concert over the last five years. In just three and a half minutes, it shoots off in hundreds of different directions, encompassing growled, paranoiac verses, off-kilter digital squeals and an anthemic chorus.
This is a trick that Rose repeats over and over on Chinese Democracy. Almost all the tracks have a scattergun approach to song structure, incorporating a vast array of movements, themes and motifs. Along the way, we get choirs, brass bands, hip-hop beats, mellotrons, found sounds, pulsing synths, film samples and something rather ominously called "sub bass". The credit list for one song - the Bond theme-esque There Was A Time - runs to 33 lines on the CD booklet. A total of six people play guitar on the track. Two of them get solos. It is a long way from the scrappy garage band formed in Los Angeles three decades ago.
What's surprising, however, is that the songs survive intact despite this surfeit of ideas and contributors. By rights, Chinese Democracy should have been an unholy mess. But Rose seems to have learned his lesson after the sprawling self-indulgence of 1991's Use Your Illusion. Songs like IRS and Raid N' The Bedouins are lean and compact, edited down to the bare essentials, packing the maximum punch per pound.
But, let's be clear, this is by no means the equal of the 28 million-selling Appetite For Destruction, nor does it contain anything as radio friendly as Paradise City or November Rain. Indeed, if initial reactions are positive, that's partly because expectations were so low after the record's troubled gestation. On the downside, there is a surfeit of cheesy ballads, beginning with the terribly overwrought Street Of Dreams. The opening piano chords bring to mind nothing more than Sir Elton John, while Rose oversings lines about "stardust on my feet" in a voice that would make an X Factor auditionee cringe.
Sorry, another break-up song, aims for grandiose but ends up sounding ridiculous - like Pink Floyd covered by Metallica. And, for all of it's ambitious bombast, there's no disguising the fact that There Was A Time veers dangerously close to becoming Bon Jovi's Blaze Of Glory. // 10
Impression: Rose has already predicted the reaction to these songs. "I'm trying to do something different," he told Rolling Stone in 2006. "Some of the arrangements are kind of like Queen. Some people are going to say it doesn't sound like Guns N' Roses."
Actually, he's wrong about that. This does sound like a Guns N' Roses album, but it's a sadly compromised one. The filthy swagger is gone - perhaps understandable now that Rose is 46. But Chinese Democracy also misses the clean, tuneful riffs that Slash and Izzy Stradlin used to provide. Too often, guitar lines sound like technical exercises - fingers running up and down the fretboard at the expense of melody. And when several songs plump for "na na na" backing vocals, you find yourself wondering why no-one had time to finish off the lyrics.
Ultimately, however, there is nothing here that will irrevocably tarnish the Guns N' Roses name. Had it come out directly after the band's last album, 1993's The Spaghetti Incident?, it would have been hailed as a triumphant return to form. Or - just perhaps - it would have been branded irrelevant in a world where grunge, hip-hop and industrial rock were in the ascendancy.
In 2008, the cogs of the musical world have turned full circle, and Axl Rose has released his long-awaited opus just as games like Guitar Hero and Rock Band (which features Shackler's Revenge on it's tracklisting) bring hard rock back into people's living rooms. All the heartache was worth it. // 10
Reviewed by:
aedmiston, on december 01, 2008 0 of 1 people found this review helpful
Sound: Alright, the first thing I have to say about this album is this: Axl, lose the Appetite for Over-Production. After a 398275 year wait, this record finally drops, and frankly it's weak. I'll break it down track by track.
01.Chinese Democracy: the title track starts with an intro that takes almost as long to get through as the album did to produce. After a painful minute of waiting, it goes into some really crunchy power chords. Axl comes in, and it's great. The lyrics are cool, the solo is great, and the track is pretty solid. 9/10
02.Shackler's Revenge: dear God how I hate this song. From the wannabe Tom Morrello licks to the annoying vocals, this track is rubbish. 2/10
03.Better: this song shines. After you get through the squealy guitar and the annoying falsetto of the intro, it launches into a straight rocker. There are some crunchy power chords providing the rhythm and some sick sweeps in the melody. The first solo is solid shred, and the second one is straight up blues-rock. I can picture Slash playing that second solo, and the rhythm is reminiscent of Izzy. 10/10
04.Street of Dreams: formerly known as "The Blues", this track is a winner. From the "November Rain" piano intro to the tight solo in the middle to Axl's perfect vocals, this song is gold. My favorite on the album. 10/10
05.If the World: this song is annoying. It was released as the closing credit song for the film "Body of Lies", and it feels almost as though it was written for that purpose. It's over-produced, and it's lame. 5/10
06.There Was A Time: this song is saved by the solos. Whoever wrote the chorus should be hanged, it sounds like it was written in a different key than the rest of the song. However, some excellent solos make this song pretty decent. 6/10
07.Catcher N' the Rye: fantastic song. I would not be surprised to learn that this song was written for the Use Your Illusion albums, it's classic Guns all the way through. From the bluesy solos to the wailing of Axl's voice, this track is a winner. 10/10
08.Scraped: this song annoys me. It's a weak attempt at an "Appetite" like rocker, and it doesn't come anywhere close. The lyrics are similar in message to the classic, "Out ta Get Me", but it falls way short. Sorry Axl, you lose. 4/10
09.Riad N' the Bedouins: another weak track, after listening to this I had to go back and listen to "Street of Dreams" and "Better" again to keep myself from shutting off the CD player. 4/10
10.Sorry: Axl's obsession with Pro Tools is more apparent here than anywhere else on the album. His voice is so processed it sounds like another person. The lyrics are really stupid, and the wall of sound drowns out the really tasty guitar licks prior to the solo. However, the solo is tight, it's got a really slow, tense feel to it, and the outro is really cool. Think Alice in Chains, but over-produced and with more complex guitars. 5/10
11.I.R.S.: once more, Axl is trying to live in the past. This one is attempting to recreate that first part of "Estranged", with the really dark and heavy tone. Sorry Axl, the magic's gone and you're left with a mediocre song once again. A screamin' solo towards the end of the track keeps this one from being a total flop. 6/10
12.Madagascar: cool track, until the clips in the middle. Look Axl, the "Cool Hand Luke" thing worked once, but it's not going to work again. Especially because you replaced the part of the song that should be an epic guitar solo with these lame ass clips. Sorry, this track is just really really lame. 4/10
13.This I Love: starts with a really mellow piano-orchestra piece, and Axl comes in over it with a nice ballad. Which is fine, until we're 2 minutes into the song and it gets repetitive. Finally, the guitar solo starts, and we get a nice "Don't Cry" like solo, and everything is right in the universe for a minute and a half. Then Axl comes back with his annoying chorus and shatters our little paradise. Then there's an outro that's pretty weak and has no guitar. This track is without a doubt Axl's attempt at "November Rain" Pt. 2. However, he left out a major part of what made the song great in the first place: Slash's blistering solo at the end. I'm starting to wonder if Axl even understands what made GNR great in the first place. 6/10
14.Prostitute: another weak track, this one is again saved by it's solos. Axl, no matter how much you process your voice, you cannot get away with bad choruses. Sorry dude, this one isn't up to par. 6/10
This album starts off strong, coming off as a hard-edged rocker, like it should be. But the problem is, it descends into a collection of ballads from hell. I honestly think that if Axl & Co. put the tracks in a differnet order, it would be a much better album. The end of the album is saturated with weak ballads, and it's impossible to get through the entire record in one sitting. // 7
Lyrics and Singing: The lyrics are, for the most part, decent. Sure, there are the shining diamonds in the rough like "Better" and "Catcher N' The Rye", but for most of the album the lyrics are meaningless noise coming out of Axl Rose's mixing console... I mean mouth. Nothing special here really, though the record would make a good demonstration for Pro Tools. Not since N'Sync have voices been so processed. // 5
Impression: This album is a total disappointment. It pales in comparison to the other GNR albums, as well as anything Izzy, Slash, Duff, Steven, Matt, or even Gilby have done in the last 15 years since Guns fell apart. The only songs on this album worth listening to are "Chinese Democracy", "Better", "Street of Dreams", and "Catcher N' The Rye". It's really really really mediocre. Since I pirated it in the first place, I wouldn't buy another to replace it. Actually, I don't think it's even necessary to ask this question since nobody in their right mind would try to steal this album from you. It's not worth buying and Axl doesn't deserve the money for this massive let-down anyway. // 5
Reviewed by:
ChucklesMginty, on november 25, 2008 0 of 2 people found this review helpful
Sound: It's been what, 14? 15 years now? Well if it's taken that long, why would Axl and a numerous number of session artists make it sound just like the 'old stuff.' People have complained it's just not the same without Slash's sound, of course it's not the same, he's not on the album. Many people have been speculative over the use of Pro Tools, as many (of not all) parts were recorded using this, if memory serves. But Axl Rose is a perfectionist, and sure enough everything is perfect. But when something is too perfect, it starts to sound overcrowded. But I think it's just about been pulled off on this album. Plus, in a day where everyone seems to be using Pro Tools, it's not exactly like the 'Use Your Illusion' era.
You have to look at in in context, or rather out of context. Chinese Democracy is an amazing album, it truly captures the sounds of some amazing musicians and amazing singer. If you've been one of the guys sitting on the edge of your seat the last 15 years, then you might be disappointed. But then again, how many albums are worth waiting 15 years for? It's a fantastic sound on the album, the pounding drums on 'Shackler's Revenge' or the wonderfully deep 'Catcher in the Rye.' It sounds familiar, but at same time fresh. If things go well, this album could mark the beginning of a new age of rock, because it's not Indie, it's not all that ridiculous thrash metal, and it is definitely not emo. I've already heard this track on the radio, and you probably have to. I'm interested to see how things will turn out. // 10
Lyrics and Singing: Of course, the most important part of the entire album! The lyrics. The man who's been running the whole show, is his voice still up to par? In a word, yes. But I think I should go into more than just a word. Many people say 'it's just not the same' I say, 'it's not the same, it's better.' I'm good friends with a very talented singer, with an excellent vocal range, and very high voice. And some of the notes on this album are too high for him! There are still the trademark Axl screams, though I'm less impressed, with some of the la las and na nas, which can come off rather cheesy.
But despite all this, (and without trying to be too biased) Axl Rose has always been my favorite vocalist, and sure enough he's one of the best we have today, with his own unique sound, and his own unique feel. As far as the actual lyrics are concerned, well I think they really stand out on catcher in the rye, there are some amazing vocal lines in that song, if you were only gonna listen to one song on the album, make it that one.
(What I'm really annoyed with though, is that in some of the older leaks, Brian May is actually playing lead guitar. And you can hear all to clearly, that a much duller guitar track has been added. This is ridiculous seeing as the song had such a Queen feel to it anyway.) // 9
Impression: If you hadn't already figured out, this is not the same to the 'old GN'R in fact it's not the same to anything. This is a new sound. it combines a whole load of different style smashes them together, adds the secret Axl ingredient, and slow roasts it for 14 - 15 years. If you're a bug fan of the old stuff, it may not be for you, it you want that classic rock sound, it may not be for you. But if you're willing to take in some of the newer elements, you'll find that this is a brilliant album that truly captures some amazing moments. Currently the entire album is being streamed off the band's official myspace page and should remain so until the album's release. // 10
Reviewed by:
slash rockr, on december 16, 2008 0 of 3 people found this review helpful
Sound: I think that Axl Rose went through a lot of crap to make this cd, but it still does'nt change the fact that the CD sucks. Now don't get me wrong I love Guns N' Roses there my favorite band ever, but the new Guns N' Roses just isn't Guns N' Roses. Most of the music on the CD just sounds like pop bubble gum crap which just isn't the way rock music should be. I think the last 13 or 14 years or however long it took to make the CD was just a waste of time. // 2
Lyrics and Singing: Axl Rose has a great classic rock voice and great lyrics but he isn't using it in the kind of style that he used to. I think that Axl should call it quits after this album. The lyrics in this album are just hard to listen to knowing that the original GNR are not playing the music to back it up. // 3
Impression: All of the good ol' bands are coming back with these great albums, and they all kept the same style that they had back then besides GNR. I don't even think they should even call it GNR any more since Axl is the only original member. My overall impression of the CD is just dissapointing and a disgrace to GNR. // 2
Meh I don't think 14 years in the making or whatever has paid off. Good review
Agreed, I haven't fully listened to it, but what I've heard isn't as good as it could have been with 14 years and such skilled musicians helping. POSTED: 11/24/2008 - 11:42 am / quote|
jobling08
: this is a good album and a good review, though i think they were a bit harsh on the chinese democracy song itself, its a new sounding Guns N Roses, although it should have been called Axl Rose and friends or something else like that POSTED: 11/24/2008 - 11:45 am / quote|
aaciseric
: I disagree with what you said about 'There Was A Time' but I think it's a great album overall, definately a fair analysis of the songs. POSTED: 11/24/2008 - 11:45 am / quote|
dinley
: ima go buy it for the hell of it POSTED: 11/24/2008 - 11:47 am / quote|
Shabalaba
: Not worth the time spent on it, i found creativity to just be very lacking in most songs. Good review POSTED: 11/24/2008 - 11:49 am / quote|
OMEB
: I would appreciate this as am AXL solo album, which in essence it is. There are a couple good songs on this album, but nothing that lives up to the hype and the name Guns n' Roses!
Get the band back together and quit being an idiot, Axl. A GN'R Reunion right now would be bigger than the second coming of Christ. If you wait much longer you'll miss out on the chance! POSTED: 11/24/2008 - 11:50 am / quote|
lbj273
: Definatly not worth the wait, I am rather disappointed POSTED: 11/24/2008 - 11:52 am / quote|
98Timberwolf
: Hmm...I actually liked "Shackler's Revenge." My personal favorite is "Better." This album is about as good as I thought it would be, but not great. My biggest complaint is that I wasn't able to get a free Dr. Pepper POSTED: 11/24/2008 - 11:55 am / quote|
Steve The Plank
: I thought 'If The World' was ****ing epic and a great tune, especially through the headphones.
Wouldn't rate the album very well as a whole though, but it has its moments.
I prefer the guitar work on it to most classic GnR personally. POSTED: 11/24/2008 - 11:56 am / quote|
fukkindoyle
: i hated this album. i used to have a lot of respect for axl, and i'm glad he finally released this, but in my personal opinion, it just sounds like he's trying to fit into the mainstream. POSTED: 11/24/2008 - 12:00 pm / quote|
Chimpy101
: I think this album is really damn good.
I'd rather listen to this than to Appetite For Destruction (although maybe that's just because it is new material), and it is certainly a stronger album than UYI 1 and 2
Definatly worth the wait.
Just goes to show that Axl doesn't need and has never needed Slash or the others POSTED: 11/24/2008 - 12:01 pm / quote|
Cruel
: Major shite to be honest, dissapointment at it's finest. POSTED: 11/24/2008 - 12:03 pm / quote|
mlukeroberts222
: Very good, in-depth review that saved me some money...oh wait, I wasn't going to buy this crap anyway. But good review though. POSTED: 11/24/2008 - 12:04 pm / quote|
gr1170
: This albums biggest problem is going the fact that it is almost a different band. If you can put aside preconceived notions it is a great album, make sure to listen to it as a whole too, it grows on you.
"This I love" is beautiful, if anything at least listen to that song. POSTED: 11/24/2008 - 12:05 pm / quote|
RGshred88
: me and my dad went and got it as soon as it came out....i miss the good music they once made..... POSTED: 11/24/2008 - 12:05 pm / quote|
add_g
: kinda disapointing for an album that took 17 years to make. i couldn't even get the coupon for my free dr. pepper POSTED: 11/24/2008 - 12:15 pm / quote|
nick9790
: After much deliberation about whether or not i was going to actually listen to this album, i couldn't resist logging on to the GNR myspace...The album was not worth the 17 years it took to record, but it is a musical accomplishment for Mr. Rose. He takes many risks that many musicians wouldn't even dare to touch. it makes me wonder what the producers thoughts were...they must have been tearing their hair out! Good album in a musical sense. The experimentation was refreshing. But it is not a GNR album...It will forever in my mind be an Axl Rose record. POSTED: 11/24/2008 - 12:15 pm / quote|
EEE_ELLL_OHH
: Also this review was kinda biased, lacking in true facts and just generally a bit shit. POSTED: 11/24/2008 - 12:16 pm / quote|
This albums biggest problem is going the fact that it is almost a different band. If you can put aside preconceived notions it is a great album, make sure to listen to it as a whole too, it grows on you.
"This I love" is beautiful, if anything at least listen to that song.
I agree with him, you can't go into expecting the old GnR at all. This is a different band 15 years on, lots of growth and changes in the music direction, some familiarity remains, but this is a new GnR guys. Get past that and this is a VERY good album. Not a masterpiece, but a good comeback record none the less.
I guess Axl has 3 possibly 4 records almost ready, with the third to be released in 2012. POSTED: 11/24/2008 - 12:17 pm / quote|
highwayone73
: *Listens, Drops Forehead in to hands*
I'm not mad like i was when Metallica released St. Anger, I'm just disappointed. 14 years and 40 mil, Axl's gonna have to tour til death to make that back. Put the ego down, pick the phone up and apologize to slash, duff, and sorum and make a good album. POSTED: 11/24/2008 - 12:18 pm / quote|
ARE YOU SERIOUS ?!
This album will never be a scratch on Appetite for Destruction or Use Your Illusion 1&2, this is just Axl Rose making a peice of crap, with 4/5 of the talent of Guns N Roses missing, it's not Guns N Roses, just Axl wasting our time taking ages to release a crap album.
Having said that, back in the Guns N Roses hay-days, 1980's and early 1990's he was a very good front man. POSTED: 11/24/2008 - 12:19 pm / quote|
metallica4evr
: i didnt hear much off the album...but from what i heard i'm VERY disappointed....it doesnt even sound like GN'R... POSTED: 11/24/2008 - 12:20 pm / quote|
SlashFan810
: Haha I expected this...Rose's talents and interests barey holding the album together with muddled and lacking contributions from the band, all confused by unecessary electronics. When I hear these tracks, I hear good concepts that could have turned out great in the hands of the right people- of course the old GNR crew. At least this shows Rose still has talent for a reunion or solo project in the future, I don't think he has anything else in mind but making music. POSTED: 11/24/2008 - 12:20 pm / quote|
i know i actually liked that album POSTED: 11/24/2008 - 12:22 pm / quote|
scarfacesuit
: Considering the fact that I listened to it and knew it wouldn't be Guns N' Roses anyway, I still didn't like it. One song sounded like it was R&B or something... what happened to the rock music he used to make? POSTED: 11/24/2008 - 12:24 pm / quote|
Richycinsideme
: bad review 10 out of 10 this albums classic POSTED: 11/24/2008 - 12:25 pm / quote|
seekmetal
: Although Play still haven't sent me the album I have the final version several times and I think it's great. People who were expecting it to sound like Guns are just stupid. They all lef him long ago so now its just Axl. But proves once and for all what a great songwrite he is. POSTED: 11/24/2008 - 12:29 pm / quote|
PaulieIommi
: Haha I expected this...Rose's talents and interests barey holding the album together with muddled and lacking contributions from the band, all confused by unecessary electronics. When I hear these tracks, I hear good concepts that could have turned out great in the hands of the right people- of course the old GNR crew. At least this shows Rose still has talent for a reunion or solo project in the future, I don't think he has anything else in mind but making music.
This may as well have been a solo project anyway, it was practically an entirely different band on every song. Still quite like it though. POSTED: 11/24/2008 - 12:30 pm / quote|
FaceTomorrow
: this is a good album. To my surprise that is. Slash & co are not really missed. Just too bad that it took so long. This made expectations higher than Axl could possibly live up to. But he did a good job. POSTED: 11/24/2008 - 12:33 pm / quote|
Smcash
: This album sounds exactly like what it was: Axl Rose with pretty much a bunch of studio musicians...A lot of talent and no chemistry. And it pains me to say it, but the song Chinese Democracy is actually pretty good. I catch myself singing it sometimes. POSTED: 11/24/2008 - 12:35 pm / quote|
sabaka151
: the name of the band needs to change, its not GNR, its axl roses, or the axl road show... GNR was one of the best bands ever and this isn't GNR. POSTED: 11/24/2008 - 12:37 pm / quote|
the name of the band needs to change, its not GNR, its axl roses, or the axl road show... GNR was one of the best bands ever and this isn't GNR.
I agree, they should put it out as an Axl only project. POSTED: 11/24/2008 - 12:39 pm / quote|
Gunpowder
: This isn't GN'R; it's not a bad album, but this band can't rightly call itself GN'R. Did anyone else who played even get writer's credit? POSTED: 11/24/2008 - 12:39 pm / quote|
daza_guitarman
: The thing that really gave GNR their awsomeness (how u spell it?) was the way that all the musicians connected with everyone and the axl was with all the musicains, until he bacame a control freak. I'm still gunna buy it but my expectations are down low, comparing to appetite. POSTED: 11/24/2008 - 12:40 pm / quote|
Agreed. It's easily hands down my favorite album in the world. I've been listening to it non stop for about a week. I understand where the reviewers are coming from, I just don't share their view.
FYI, I'm a huge fan of Appetite. Axl has changed music yet again. POSTED: 11/24/2008 - 12:40 pm / quote|
SuicidalFreak
: I can't believe this album actually happened, but it's too bad that Slash, Izzy and Duff don't play on this album. POSTED: 11/24/2008 - 12:42 pm / quote|
Spoony_Bard
: I'm just glad it's out already! Now we can stop the Chinese Democracy jokes and go back to taking stabs at St. Anger like good Christian hecklers! POSTED: 11/24/2008 - 12:42 pm / quote|
heavyprog
: I was kinda pissed too about the bashing the Spaghetti Incident received. I have a lot of great memories of listening to that album. Coming from someone who doesn't really listen to punk music, I really dug those songs. POSTED: 11/24/2008 - 12:43 pm / quote|
I'm just glad it's out already! Now we can stop the Chinese Democracy jokes and go back to taking stabs at St. Anger like good Christian hecklers!
now thats comedy!!! POSTED: 11/24/2008 - 12:44 pm / quote|
ChucklesMginty
: People just don't get it, he's not gonna spend millions of dollars, and 20 years, to make something that sounds the same as the old stuff. POSTED: 11/24/2008 - 12:48 pm / quote|
srvkicks@$$
: i think guns n roses over the years has developed like a heart. the right side would be axl rose the left side would be slash and izzy.
after a long time the left side gets cut out and replaced with a new artificial heart (buckethead)
the left side of the heart was never the same as the the original and soon was rejected by the right side of the heart
and this album is kind of like a defribulator trying to revive this dead heart
it will probably run for awile until it realizes it is only half of a heart and it will die trying to keep up POSTED: 11/24/2008 - 12:50 pm / quote|
Ponchibego
: This is kinda like the albums Metallica has been releasing.... It's not living up to the bands name but there 3-4 good songs on the album. At least we can hope that now the album is out it opens up the chances of a reunion tour in the future. I'd give this more than a 7.3 maybe like an 8.5 or so. POSTED: 11/24/2008 - 12:51 pm / quote|
makutoid
: i think the review got it spot on personally. it's good and i love it but i think i might still be on the hype of it. definately not guns n roses anymore but there is still an element of the energy that used to be there. i had seriously low expectations before but i've been proved wrong. these guys deserve credit for this album with exeptions of a few songs.
i have to say though, 17 years is ridiculous to only cough up this. that time span should have been so much better if Axl bloody Rose could keep a few good musicians under his belt for the process of making this album. great guitar solos mostly, great riffs in most songs and generally, pretty dam good POSTED: 11/24/2008 - 12:54 pm / quote|
slashprodigy
: it must be said that better is an awesome song, i can't actually flaw it, its catchy, has old school sounding solo reminiscent of slash in a way and still has a guns effect to it. better its by far the best on the cd and is a good song even in comparison to the old school classics. POSTED: 11/24/2008 - 12:55 pm / quote|
makutoid
: oh, forgot one thing.
my rating, 8/10 compared to Appetite which for me is definitely a 10 POSTED: 11/24/2008 - 12:55 pm / quote|
ChucklesMginty
: I disagree with everything in this review. POSTED: 11/24/2008 - 12:56 pm / quote|
sabaka151
: HELLAWAITS88: yet again you are totally right!
The content of the album is ok, thing special... but the main problem here is with then name and the band, axle didn't make GNR, 5 guys playing together made the band. and if you want to get really specific sweet child of mine was thier first commercial success and what really put them on the map, (Slash came up with that riff) so lets treat this like its supposed to be treated, Axel's solo project...
The next album is called "American Communism" coming out in February 6, 2062. When Axel turns 100 POSTED: 11/24/2008 - 12:57 pm / quote|
Fauche
: Not a Guns n' Roses album, this is an Axl album, and that doesn't interest me. POSTED: 11/24/2008 - 12:58 pm / quote|
Shinsen88
: Well obviously it doesn't live up to the expectations. Still... I guess I'll probably check it out.
slashprodigy
: and as much as most of you may hate axl, look at what happened to velvet revolver, hey dont get me wrong they are good, but there vocals and lyrics look like trash compared to axl's. except shackler's revenge, that song is just a mess. you can say what you want about the it nt being GNR without slash/ duff/ sorum/ izzy etc, but its stands without axl, gnr would not be what it is and was. He is iraplaceable POSTED: 11/24/2008 - 12:58 pm / quote|
srvkicks@$$
: i didnt mean to get all philosophical on my last comment i just want ppl to relize guns n roses is going to die
and we shouldnt let it suffer we should put it out of its mizery with a shot to the head POSTED: 11/24/2008 - 01:00 pm / quote|
SGibson666
: "If The World" = Fail on Epic humor POSTED: 11/24/2008 - 01:02 pm / quote|
Noverion
: I thought that review was crap, i mean, it was well done in all, but i think that IRS and Madagascar are two of my favourite GnR songs of all time. Absoloutely love the album. No, its not Appetite for Destruction, but did anyone expect it to be?
Shacklers Revenge is superb as well, sure, the guitar playing isnt slash, but ya know, just because its a different guitarist (in this case it sounds like Buckethead to me) doesnt mean it can't be good! Someone needs to review this without comparing it to the previous works.
Having said that i do agree that This I Love is the best track on the album. POSTED: 11/24/2008 - 01:02 pm / quote|
slashprodigy
: one does get the impression tho, that some of those songs were a desperate attempt or were put on because they didn't know what else to use. apparently they have more material and are already preparing a new album, lol wonder when we can expect that tho POSTED: 11/24/2008 - 01:02 pm / quote|
slashprodigy
: shackler's revenge? are you serious? what interests you about that song? the guitar is horrible and recording is distorted, not a fan of the lyrics either, they have no deep meaning or catchy-ness to them, it sounds like an out of space song from ET POSTED: 11/24/2008 - 01:05 pm / quote|
i think guns n roses over the years has developed like a heart. the right side would be axl rose the left side would be slash and izzy.
after a long time the left side gets cut out and replaced with a new artificial heart (buckethead)
the left side of the heart was never the same as the the original and soon was rejected by the right side of the heart
and this album is kind of like a defribulator trying to revive this dead heart
it will probably run for awile until it realizes it is only half of a heart and it will die trying to keep up
But heartless but fair!!!! lol POSTED: 11/24/2008 - 01:06 pm / quote|
slashprodigy
: this album is better than metallica - death magnet (is crap)! ac dc black ice is the ebst new album form old school bands POSTED: 11/24/2008 - 01:06 pm / quote|
Lick_Soloist
: I really can't understand the high amount of skepticism and criticism on offer within this review, it is almost as if the reviewer cannot forgive the sheer amount of time the album has taken to be released. It is unconventional! Personally for me I love it although it is a different beast to previous studio offerings the album reflects maturity; a diverse sound which only Axl Rose could have produced. After 24 hours of repetative listening I continue to discover melodies, hooks, hidden dubs and im sure the album will continue to bloom. Rose has developed his musical direction and rightly so, no one expected another appetite and had he meerly created a similar offering, disapointment would be found in droves. Axl has "stuck to his Gun's" (no pun intended) and created something so collosal and magnificent it is almost impossible to find geniune flaws beyond maters of taste. The album will gain classic status and rightly so. I question the integrity of the reviewer and suggest further listening rather than produce structured dross filled with few constructive observations which themselves are rooted in cliche and devoid of language with justifies brilliance. Ultimate Guitar and its thousands of members deserve so much more than this review, another review should be posted which reflects the album, not one rooted in maters of taste. POSTED: 11/24/2008 - 01:08 pm / quote|
rhcp-legends
: its kinda funny that this album was started before i was born and its only finished now POSTED: 11/24/2008 - 01:13 pm / quote|
SnookM
: I scrolled down here expecting to see:
Plain haters
People saying it isn't GN'R it's Axl and friends
People saying it's not as good as Appetite
People bashing just cause it's fun to bash
Everything I saw, this is stupid if you don't like it why are you commenting, we value your opinion if you're posting your opinion, constructive critisism or whatever but shut up!
Agreed. It's easily hands down my favorite album in the world. I've been listening to it non stop for about a week. I understand where the reviewers are coming from, I just don't share their view.
FYI, I'm a huge fan of Appetite. Axl has changed music yet again.
I was going to write a comment, but this one is exactly what I would have written. So I'll just quote it instead. POSTED: 11/24/2008 - 01:20 pm / quote|
korinaflyingv
: I like this album, I'd probably give it 7 or 8 /10
but it really should have been released as a solo album... i mean most of the tracks (except for the vocals) bear no resemblance whatsoever to GnR POSTED: 11/24/2008 - 01:23 pm / quote|
guttersnake
: piece of crap.Axl lick a pole.Call the band Axl and the new wave or something only a couple of songs similar to GNR.I can do without it.Haven't heard St Anger but sure I would like that better.Anyone who says dont compare it to GNR,well change the band name then. Theres only a couple of songs worth listening to. I got tired of his screeching a long time ago. POSTED: 11/24/2008 - 01:28 pm / quote|
Ben_Eaglesfield
: I wish people would stop saying things along the lines of
"Its not GnR without slash/izzy/duff/ etcetc
Thing is guys, it is.
Yeah, slash has his own style, and its a fairly distinctive one at the best of times.
Thing is, his guitar parts are fairly easily replicated, evidenced by the fact that the re-recordings of appetite songs are virtually note for note perfect. I'd also like to point out that while people are familiar with seeing izzy and duffs mugs on the old appetite logo, they don't have an amazingly recognisable vibe about them IMO.
I mean, take a look at Megadeth. I'm, absolutely nuts over them, but, i don't call it the Dave Mustaine show or whatever, that bands line-up changes like the wind. People rarely comment on that, and the only reason i can make out that they comment on this line-up so frequently is because after 15 years of waiting for an album Axl said not to wait for, you're gonna run out of things to comment on.
I'm not saying that this GnR is better or worse, im just saying it IS GnR, even if theres only Axl and the occasional walk-in from dizzy.....
ballabds4555
: heres the thing i really love this record..but the die hard GNr fans wont =(..im really buckethead influnced and this album has buckethead wrtitin all over it...i gave it a 9 i love the musical parts burt axls voice gets old after awhile. POSTED: 11/24/2008 - 01:39 pm / quote|
guttersnake
: I dont know what kind of expectations can be put on it much less lofty ones.What was the reviewer thinking when he said that? Guns has been out of the spot light for so long now. I guess this is what you could expect something totally different. I can him his due for staying current and not just rehashing like so many AC DC cuts but I still like the Aussies better than this.I listened to most of this at least the parts I could stand to listen too. That ballad wasn't that great just a song to hook the women with.I thought the last song on there was OK. I am pretty diverse when It comes to what I will listen to.I know other pople will disagree but I like the new Metallica better than this has some old and new to it that keeps me interested. POSTED: 11/24/2008 - 01:42 pm / quote|
theotherguy7145
: no doubt he can write songs. they're all well written. just not very catchy. certainly not gnr POSTED: 11/24/2008 - 01:43 pm / quote|
Mechanixx
: I consider GnR my favorite band of all time but what ive heard from this album is decidedly average, and not what Guns N Roses are.
I can listen to any song from Appetite, Lies, UYI 1 and 2 and enjoy it (barring My world). ANd I thought Spaghetti incident had some great moments on it for a covers album.
But this is a huge letdown. That said I havnt heard the whole album, but from what I have heard. POSTED: 11/24/2008 - 01:43 pm / quote|
jjdude
: Personally forget the old band GNR is no longer a band. GNR is more of a franchise imo great artists using the brand name to get the music heard. The album is stellar from top to bottom a few blips here and there but compare it to the new killers album or Ac/dc who are giving us the same old dad rock(not that it isnt good dad rock;p)Chinese Democracy knocks spots off them.
People are always gonna bash it because it is different and they are afraid of something new. The fact is no other artist today has the guts to try something different they are content to give us the same old dribble to sell records.
Axl/GNR may have taken 14 or so years but it has been well worth the wait to hear and see a group of gifted musicians pour their heart out into an album the result is amazing. So sit back forget GNR and listen to the sweet sweet music POSTED: 11/24/2008 - 01:44 pm / quote|
Silas S Thompso
: Agreed it is a new them. One thing I didn't like is it seemed like axl was aiming a young audience. I remember a few years ago hearing a recording of madagascar one the first times it was supposed to come out and I loved that song. Now that I've heard the new one I hate it. Axl butchered the song. The drums were so annoying and that keyboard in the verse was agravating. POSTED: 11/24/2008 - 01:47 pm / quote|
Spaghetti Incident wasn't atrocious!i know i actually liked that album
Isn't that a bunch of covers anyway? their version of Hair Of The Dog is horrible at least. POSTED: 11/24/2008 - 01:50 pm / quote|
The_Moth
: I can't believe that no one is going to just come out and say it; this album blows. It sucks. It's god awful. That song where Axl sounds like he's about to cry.... someone should have told him that the album wasn't a rock opera. He's not going to Broadway. I think perhaps the reason people aren't lashing out is because, somewhat in the vein of the new Star Wars movies, it's in a certain sense, just very comforting to hear the voice of an old friend; i.e. Axl Rose. However, if you go back and really put yourself in your old shoes when you heard songs off Appetite and the Illusion albums you'll remember what the band really was like and the sound and fury that was GNR. We're mostly guitarist here. Like it or not, Slash is a guitar LEGEND and his absence from this album isn't merely disappointing; it's a deal breaker. From this album we finally have conformation that Slash was the genius behind GNR and that Axl is a hack riding the coattails of those who have within them greatness. Chinese Democracy is horrible. It's a joke. It's the last breath of an old dying ***** who would have done better to off herself years ago rather than suffer embarrassment of such a laughable fate. POSTED: 11/24/2008 - 01:52 pm / quote|
heres the thing i really love this record..but the die hard GNr fans wont =(..im really buckethead influnced and this album has buckethead wrtitin all over it...i gave it a 9 i love the musical parts burt axls voice gets old after awhile.
I'm a diehard GnR fan and I think this is some of the best work the band has ever put out. POSTED: 11/24/2008 - 01:54 pm / quote|
The thing that really gave GNR their awsomeness (how u spell it?) was the way that all the musicians connected with everyone and the axl was with all the musicains, until he bacame a control freak. I'm still gunna buy it but my expectations are down low, comparing to appetite.
Seriously, DON'T COMPARE THIS ALBUM TO APETITE!!!
That will make you blind to how good this ablum actually is. If you compare it to other albums in a similar genre...you'll apreciate it alot more. POSTED: 11/24/2008 - 01:57 pm / quote|
The thing that really gave GNR their awsomeness (how u spell it?) was the way that all the musicians connected with everyone and the axl was with all the musicains, until he bacame a control freak. I'm still gunna buy it but my expectations are down low, comparing to appetite.
Seriously, DON'T COMPARE THIS ALBUM TO APETITE!!!
That will make you blind to how good this ablum actually is. If you compare it to other albums in a similar genre...you'll apreciate it alot more.
It's retarded to suggest that you shouldn't compare an album to others albums BY THE SAME BAND. Axl Rose put the name GNR at the top of this pathetic album and so he deserves to have it compared to previous albums that bore the genius that is Slash. This album is a turd burger. Axl Rose find a warm place to die. "Similar Genre"??? What should I compare to to Meatloaf's "Bat Out of Hell?" And if I'm blind to "how good" this album is then by God I'll stay blind because blind is a place where good music is still appreciated.
I would just like to say that I can appreciate some of the guitar parts, however the lyrics, singing, overall melodies and absolutely sad. POSTED: 11/24/2008 - 02:04 pm / quote|
jackfromcs
: What a terrible review. I expected a lot better from "The Official UG Team". POSTED: 11/24/2008 - 02:10 pm / quote|
Shimekiri
: The quality of the album is not proportional ot the time spent on it. POSTED: 11/24/2008 - 02:11 pm / quote|
rhyme2zone
: i wonder if this will turn out like appetite. that album wasn't so popular when it was released. But it hit no.1 a year later.It could be the same case here, but today the band has already been heard of and are expected live up to expectations, so we don't know really. POSTED: 11/24/2008 - 02:15 pm / quote|
rhyme2zone
: sry for the double post. i agree with carlos ramirez. Axl should release another album fast, maybe then it could help this album if it doesn't become big. POSTED: 11/24/2008 - 02:17 pm / quote|
oh how your words of wisdom comfort me POSTED: 11/24/2008 - 02:24 pm / quote|
Vauxite
: Id on't really agree with the whole If The World 2/10 review, I thought it was quite a good song, a good 6.
Mind you, I would give each song one or two more points, especially scraped, that's an 8 in my eyes. POSTED: 11/24/2008 - 02:26 pm / quote|
guttersnake
: guess you cant tell axl to lick a pole and new gnr sucks or you get edited.Just my opinion though.There were a couple of songs that were ok but the rest is really not for me. POSTED: 11/24/2008 - 02:26 pm / quote|
HELLAWAITS88
: sabaka151--The next album is called "American Communism" coming out in February 6, 2062. When Axel turns 100
Ekoroski
: all you people saying this is GNR without everyone else needs to stfu and take this album for what it is, a good album made by a good artist yeah so its not the original GNR get over it and drop your one sided opinions and give the album a chance POSTED: 11/24/2008 - 02:40 pm / quote|
Thienskater
: the album was alright POSTED: 11/24/2008 - 02:40 pm / quote|
beelaal85
: This album deserves (according to me): Sound: 9 (check out the guitar solos & riffs, just perfect even without 'Slash'), Lyrics: 9 (Axl's still a cool songwriter, even after 18 years) & Impression: 9.5 (ultra-high anticipation since 1993). POSTED: 11/24/2008 - 02:42 pm / quote|
SLASHer77
: While I agree that this is not the real Guns N' Roses, I do like the album... a lot. Better and This I love are my favorite songs. The solos are great on every song. POSTED: 11/24/2008 - 02:51 pm / quote|
RyANDeRLeGEnd
: Sorry to say this, but whoever wrote this article is either deaf or metally challenged. This album is brilliant. Why comapre it to old Guns N' Roses when its not them? Also people seem to think that it took 14 years for this band to record this album. It's been a lot less as the band has had to be completely rebuilt apart from 2 foudnign members. Musically it's not as good, however, Robin Finck has written a lto of his solos with meaning, the kind of which Slash is famous for. It's a different style. Don't get me wrong, I think the Old Guns N' Roses were far better but to give this album an average review is disgraceful. And where do you get the 2/10 for If the World? Fair enough it's the worst song on the album but its a solid 5 or 6. And There Was A Time is possibly the second best song on the album. I do agree with This I Love being highest rated. It is unbeleiveable. Lyrically the album is the best that Axl has ever done expecialyl with the style of music.
It's definitely a 9/10 album for everything. POSTED: 11/24/2008 - 02:52 pm / quote|
postmortem2006
: The fact this album is even out is the sign of the apocalypse, no? Still, I think that whilst this hasn't lived up to the hype its still decent. Just a shame that 30% of the album is wank.
What happened to the 30836836585 disc edition?! POSTED: 11/24/2008 - 02:54 pm / quote|
ricardosevillav
: I Don't like Axl at all (As fat as attitude) but I have to admit that he's got a great voice and he is a good musician. This cd is not bad… it’s not the best GNR work but it’s a good (elevator music XD) album. “This I Love” great song!
i hated this album. i used to have a lot of respect for axl, and i'm glad he finally released this, but in my personal opinion, it just sounds like he's trying to fit into the mainstream.
i've gotta agree here. The original GN'R just can't be recreated or imitated and i'm glad that axl didn't try to, but instead he took the name of a great american rock band and put it's sound to shame by turning it into some Marilyn manson punk rock shindig. overall axl needs to grow up and stop milking the name of a great band for his own personal gain. POSTED: 11/24/2008 - 03:01 pm / quote|
Sorry to say this, but whoever wrote this article is either deaf or metally challenged. This album is brilliant. Why comapre it to old Guns N' Roses when its not them? Also people seem to think that it took 14 years for this band to record this album. It's been a lot less as the band has had to be completely rebuilt apart from 2 foudnign members. Musically it's not as good, however, Robin Finck has written a lto of his solos with meaning, the kind of which Slash is famous for. It's a different style. Don't get me wrong, I think the Old Guns N' Roses were far better but to give this album an average review is disgraceful. And where do you get the 2/10 for If the World? Fair enough it's the worst song on the album but its a solid 5 or 6. And There Was A Time is possibly the second best song on the album. I do agree with This I Love being highest rated. It is unbeleiveable. Lyrically the album is the best that Axl has ever done expecialyl with the style of music.
It's definitely a 9/10 album for everything.
NO, no, no ,no, no....wrong you naughty boy...
Average at best, to say it is anything else is just madness.
Rocker_94
: I listened to the whole thing on their Myspace page when they posted it. I'll hold up my flameshield high and proudly, but this really is a crummy album. It sounds like the guitars were plugged into Line 6 Spiders, played with drum machines, and Axl sounds screechy. He still has his incredible range, but it sounds like he's on the last song of a gig after touring 3 years straight.
I want to see what VR can come up with when they get a new singer. POSTED: 11/24/2008 - 03:08 pm / quote|
Menzaine
: They finally released the album...
Bring on the Dr.Pepper!!!
YEEEEHHHH!! POSTED: 11/24/2008 - 03:09 pm / quote|
thchero
: haha its funny how my opinions are the absolute oposite of the guy who made this review. id hafta say pretty much every song he hated were my favorites. very different genre than true guns n roses, but i dig industrial so its all good for me. POSTED: 11/24/2008 - 03:10 pm / quote|
SoftParade1967
: I only really like Chinese democracy, CAtcher in the Rye and This I Love. Didnt live up to my expectiations although the title track is ****ing badass. POSTED: 11/24/2008 - 03:12 pm / quote|
Kuzak
: Amazing album. I'm actually really glad slash izzy duff and all them weren't a part of it. Theres no way they would have allowed the album to sound like this and I think its perfect.
P.S. Awful Review IMO, seems like they asked "Ok, which one of you thinks the album is bad before even hearing it?" Than had them listen to it so they could actually use some examples. POSTED: 11/24/2008 - 03:13 pm / quote|
courtkid1012
: That's a really good review. Almost dead on. I couldn't agree more with Shackler's Revenge... any shit band could do that. I have to say though, I do like the intro on Chinese Democracy. POSTED: 11/24/2008 - 03:19 pm / quote|
whatamidoinhere
: Has anyone pointed out that the lyrics and singing section got an 8, when only 2 of the songs actually got an 8 or more individually?
Something doesn't quite add up there...
metalonastrat
: axl makes the difference. POSTED: 11/24/2008 - 03:27 pm / quote|
AXE187
: if you would all listen without your preconceived notions you would love it.
its an amazing album.
This I Love is one of the best Guns songs ever. POSTED: 11/24/2008 - 03:29 pm / quote|
areese82
: I'm not gonna buy this thing POSTED: 11/24/2008 - 03:33 pm / quote|
paquiquinho
: I think that if Axl had droped the Guns N' Roses and had named the band realeasing this album difrently it could be one of the best ones this year. For a GN'R album, this is pretty disappointing. Great album though POSTED: 11/24/2008 - 03:35 pm / quote|
killing_inc
: Over produced, over done, not the original Gn'R, not worth the years of wait BUT the actual songs are pretty good and it was surely worth a listen and the $$$. My 2 cents. POSTED: 11/24/2008 - 03:35 pm / quote|
1010
: I think that its a pretty decent album if you look at it as chinese democracy as opposed to comparing it to appetite. Face it, the appetite days were gone long before the rest of the band quit/got fired. Can anyone say that there is much appetite in use your illusion? Obviously its not the same band anymore, deal with it, we know that already. Just try to enjowy this as what it is, a fairly decent album, not the best, but not as bad as you all are making it out to be. POSTED: 11/24/2008 - 03:36 pm / quote|
mafiaman20
: whats the craic with the artwork tho, i dont get it POSTED: 11/24/2008 - 03:36 pm / quote|
6rock6god6
: youre supposed to sign up for the free Dr.Pepper on the Dr.Pepper website and they give you a coupon. I however, cannot get one because Im canadian. Which is a shame because the Dr.Pepper would make up for the horrible song "If the World", which is not Guns n' Roses, it is rather Timbaland or some crap like that, is that the kind of sound Axl was goin for? POSTED: 11/24/2008 - 03:41 pm / quote|
satanlives
: I think it is a fair reveiw. I don't know if I can get past the looped drums though. I can't stand that stuff, it loses the feeling of being real or raw or anything for that matter. Otherwise I think the album is so,so. POSTED: 11/24/2008 - 03:44 pm / quote|
ALLCINGI
: I did'nt like this article at all ,I think what I've always thought and that is that Axl is a brilliant musician and if you dont get it then stop listening .If your a music hater or an Axl hater do not post or write articles cause your opinion would be heavily biased .Set aside Axls history and 14 years and all that other bs .And listen to the album itself .The music is brilliant and fresh ,better than anything on the radio right now .Axl said on his website that he would mix up his songs he's got like 3 albums worth of materials .And that everyone would like some songs better than others just depends on who you are .Cant wait for the next album Axl!! POSTED: 11/24/2008 - 03:50 pm / quote|
JBizzle Da Truf
: i actually liked this album. not good ole' guns n roses, but decent music. POSTED: 11/24/2008 - 03:53 pm / quote|
JamesxHetfield
: To me it just sounds like a metal band with Axl Rose singing POSTED: 11/24/2008 - 04:04 pm / quote|
[travis]
: I think we all know this album wasn't going to be great. I only enjoyed "Chinese Democracy" out of all the songs. Everything else just wasn't GNR material. GNR was only good when Slash, Izzy, Steve, and Duff were in it. Axl should just make this his new band, and call it something else. POSTED: 11/24/2008 - 04:04 pm / quote|
beelaal85
: Imagine if Slash was in this album, den it cudve been da gr8est album eva mad3! 10 ova ten! Why Slash WHY did you leave GNR? POSTED: 11/24/2008 - 04:08 pm / quote|
I like this CD, not the whole thing, they have a huge section of complete crap but the first 4 songs, Sorry, and This I Love are excelent songs, its not like Appetite but its a good album, don't hold it to the standard of the GNR name POSTED: 11/24/2008 - 04:08 pm / quote|
SlashFan810
: I wonder how isolated axl is from the public and realizing his own mistakes and if he sees the faults in calling this version of the band Guns N' Roses...You would think he would drop the band name by now and at least make some public statements, but he seems just as wrapped up in his own visions as an artist. Just a thought... POSTED: 11/24/2008 - 04:13 pm / quote|
Imagine if Slash was in this album, den it cudve been da gr8est album eva mad3! 10 ova ten! Why Slash WHY did you leave GNR?
he left cuz axl wanted 2 fit in the technolgical industrial crap mainstream and slash was smart and didnt, so he left. axl was bossin evry1 around. POSTED: 11/24/2008 - 04:14 pm / quote|
Jrsd
: I remember some controversy about Bon Jovi some years ago. The thing is, when I want to listen another kind of music than what is to be found on Appetite or even the Illusion albums, I'd rather listen to Bon Jovi than this crap. Shit is shit, no matter what stamp you put on it (go and listen to the full album on the gnr myspace page before posting here). 4/10 POSTED: 11/24/2008 - 04:18 pm / quote|
failsaferemedy
: There are parts to love and parts to leave alone, but really... the music is solid. I outgrew my hair metal/80's hard rock phase about 4 years ago and it was nice to hear that Axl did too.
Whether or not this is Guns N' Roses isn't important. You either agree or disagree and that won't ever change. POSTED: 11/24/2008 - 04:28 pm / quote|
OzZY-RuLE5!!!!!
: the album was great. appetite is overated just by how people talk about it. as for the review pure biased. all of you haters get the **** over the fact slash, izzy and duff aren't in. you don't hear slash, duff, izzy bashing the album. in fact slash said he liked chinese democracy and said i quote 'it's good to hear his voice again.'also alot of you are pissed off that the album is good. leave it at that axl proved you wrong. nonetheles album had a good use your illusion feel to it. personally their use our illusion albums are their best work imo. chinese democracy has the epicess of uyi while having the attitude of appetite. POSTED: 11/24/2008 - 04:34 pm / quote|
TheRobbo7108
: i know it isnt exactly guns n roses how we'd like them but i think that the new album rocks...
not everyone's into it though and i can understand why POSTED: 11/24/2008 - 04:36 pm / quote|
sunovagun
: The songs are, on the whole, really quite good, better than I expected to be honest. The main qualm I have is some of the solos, they deviate too much from what made guns, well, guns. Sweeps and Taps is not something I have EVER associated with gnr and never will, say what you will but I don't see the emotion in them. Glad I saw this album in my lifetime, Rock N'Fucking Roll!! POSTED: 11/24/2008 - 04:39 pm / quote|
Micardo
: During illusion sessions, Axl threatened to split up GnR if the other dudes didnt sign over the right to own the name 'Guns N Roses'. That was a pretty stupid mistake, because in trying to control/own the name, Axl immediately undermined the strength of the band, so in some cases that coulda been seen as him losing control of the band, which is completely contradictory to what he probably intended.
Which is why this album, although being great in a few parts but lacklustre in others, comes included with a bitter taste of selfishness. Axl had a hand in writing every song, so in this way it makes it like a dictatorship, and with him being producer as well, its like him being a president of a country wherever everyone (in the band/country) can vote, but they can only vote for him.
If Axl wanted to keep this a band, then he should have given more power to the other members. I know that Axl writes the lyrics for every song, which is almost how its always been, but in the old days he left most of the music to the VR guys (plus Izzy) and occasionally came up with a bit of music here and there (november rain and estranged etc). And with UYI, there would be a few solo songs that Axl only sung a few lines in (14 years, so fine, double talkin jive etc) In this album he has too much power over each song, which makes the album a bit tainted. But then again, if he allowed more input from the other members, would the album be as good? Maybe.
The question posed to everyone is that would you rather see the current incarnation of GnR functioning more as a band, with the risk of hearing a possibly lesser album?
Meh I don't think 14 years in the making or whatever has paid off. Good review
(it was 17) those years however were not of intense work they passed a lot of time just scratching their balls... POSTED: 11/24/2008 - 04:52 pm / quote|
Keegz_smith
: its funny to think that most of their success is because of an Australian band called rose tattoo with Angry Anderson POSTED: 11/24/2008 - 04:53 pm / quote|
ringo23rsr
: this album didn't do much for me. sounded like industrial stuff and i love industrial stuff but GNR is not the best band to experiment with industrial. this album had a couple cool songs that i really dig but thats bout it. 4/10 POSTED: 11/24/2008 - 04:55 pm / quote|
Archetype00
: yeah lyrically its great, and it is musically as well. people really just need to get over the fact that its a totally different band and listen to it with an open mind. sure, i love classic gnr, but what people dont get is that this is an appetite for destruction of the new generation. its groundbreaking, its against the grain, and its something completely new that hooks people in.
personally, i love every track with the exception of this i love. maybe because i was a frequent poster at chinesedemocracy.com and everyone had a high hopes for that song, but for me it just doesnt hit home.
im not trying to press my opinion on anybody, but i love the fact that axl is doing something different. i mean, lets take a look back at the gnr career... they were always doing something different and evolving with the times. appetite and lies arent alike at all. lies and illusions are barely alike. honestly, if gnr were to have released albums in the past 17 years, with the way they evolve, it wouldve hit this point anyway, and eventually they wouldve hit this sound. its just strange to people because its an immediate change. if there were albums in between maybe linking the change and showing their evolution, people would like this album more. 17 years is a bit ridiculous, but im happy its finally come, because i love it.
then again, im open minded. not like alot of other people my age. POSTED: 11/24/2008 - 05:03 pm / quote|
sick&twisted
: i just heard a song on the radio.... not that good... definatly not worth the wait POSTED: 11/24/2008 - 05:06 pm / quote|
I'm just glad it's out already! Now we can stop the Chinese Democracy jokes and go back to taking stabs at St. Anger like good Christian hecklers!
What has being Christian got to do with anything, other than James Hetfield is one and im sure God disapproves of heckling about his children! POSTED: 11/24/2008 - 05:08 pm / quote|
nickyjohnson
: it's not a massively suckish album,but it's nowhere near what it could've been with all the hype.
not really worth buying tho.especially seeing as they put the songs on myspace and you could just get them from there :P POSTED: 11/24/2008 - 05:14 pm / quote|
I think this album is really damn good.
I'd rather listen to this than to Appetite For Destruction (although maybe that's just because it is new material), and it is certainly a stronger album than UYI 1 and 2
Definatly worth the wait.
Just goes to show that Axl doesn't need and has never needed Slash or the others
I'm just glad it's out already! Now we can stop the Chinese Democracy jokes and go back to taking stabs at St. Anger like good Christian hecklers!
What has being Christian got to do with anything, other than James Hetfield is one and im sure God disapproves of heckling about his children!
James Hetfield is not a christian. His parents were of Christian Science but James is certainly not now. just listen to "The God That Failed"... POSTED: 11/24/2008 - 05:16 pm / quote|
A8039077
: I disagree with some of the ratings that have been given to the individual songs. IRS i would give a 7, and both There Was A Time and Madagascar should have at least an 8 each. People have been saying that its self-indulgent, but it's Axl Rose, you'd be dissapointed if it wasn't! It's quite epic. POSTED: 11/24/2008 - 05:23 pm / quote|
DownNdirtyRockG
: Listened to this album as soon as it came out!!!!! As a massive GNR fan i totally believe GNR died 15 years ago and was proved completely right by this. An absolutely shocking album, i couldnt even get past song number 4!!!! Anyone who claims to be GNR fan who says they like this album needs to go away and have a good long think!!!! Axl needs to drop the name, drop the poor musicians and seriously consider if its worth starting again at all!!!!! POSTED: 11/24/2008 - 05:26 pm / quote|
Blackflame47
: This review was clearly made by someone partial to the old GN'R. POSTED: 11/24/2008 - 05:26 pm / quote|
I think this album is really damn good.
I'd rather listen to this than to Appetite For Destruction (although maybe that's just because it is new material), and it is certainly a stronger album than UYI 1 and 2
Definatly worth the wait.
Just goes to show that Axl doesn't need and has never needed Slash or the others
Agreed 100%
Erm sorry to disappoint you guy, but this is NO WHERE NEAR the standard of either of the illusion albums!!!! POSTED: 11/24/2008 - 05:30 pm / quote|
Listened to this album as soon as it came out!!!!! As a massive GNR fan i totally believe GNR died 15 years ago and was proved completely right by this. An absolutely shocking album, i couldnt even get past song number 4!!!! Anyone who claims to be GNR fan who says they like this album needs to go away and have a good long think!!!! Axl needs to drop the name, drop the poor musicians and seriously consider if its worth starting again at all!!!!!
well i ****in love this album and im a big time fan, i cant be a fan huh? can't OPEN MY EARS TO NEW THINGS sorry dude i dont wanna hear welcome to the jungle played on the same disc several times and have it considered new material POSTED: 11/24/2008 - 05:34 pm / quote|
Meh I don't think 14 years in the making or whatever has paid off. Good review
Unfortunately, I don't think ANYONE could pull off 14 years being worth the wait. It's just not in the mind's capacity to imagine...
It's a fine album... I'm gunna have to say Street of Dreams is my favorite at the moment, and that throughout, the vocals are damn near perfect. GNR will never be the same, so if we're gunna keep listening, might as well get into what he gives us. POSTED: 11/24/2008 - 05:42 pm / quote|
Listened to this album as soon as it came out!!!!! As a massive GNR fan i totally believe GNR died 15 years ago and was proved completely right by this. An absolutely shocking album, i couldnt even get past song number 4!!!! Anyone who claims to be GNR fan who says they like this album needs to go away and have a good long think!!!! Axl needs to drop the name, drop the poor musicians and seriously consider if its worth starting again at all!!!!!
well i ****in love this album and im a big time fan, i cant be a fan huh? can't OPEN MY EARS TO NEW THINGS sorry dude i dont wanna hear welcome to the jungle played on the same disc several times and have it considered new material
Im not saying i want to hear that either, I would of loved new GNR material but that didnt happen. Even if you take away the fact that the GNR name is still being used it is still a very poor album!!!! It has nothing to do with OPENNING MY EARS TO NEW MUSIC, i do that on a regular basis, what i refuse to do is open them to music, whether its GNR or not it makes no difference, that is as poor as this album is!! That btw goes to the last album that slash and co produced aswell!!! POSTED: 11/24/2008 - 05:42 pm / quote|
dragen_slair
: I actually prefer this over older G'n'R's stuff, it's more 'mature' I guess. After listening to it, I thought Buckethead might've ended up on the album after all. The guitar on this album was BY far the best, Slash has nothing on this.
HuckIt
: pure rubbish. Appetite for Destruction was one of the best hard rock albums ever. Use you Illusion I & II were great, but this...bleh. POSTED: 11/24/2008 - 05:45 pm / quote|
tim western
: Shackler's Revenge and If the World were 2 of my favourite tracks :S
And this album is fantastic. POSTED: 11/24/2008 - 05:46 pm / quote|
Superperfex
: No Izzy= No G and R POSTED: 11/24/2008 - 05:46 pm / quote|
BTBAM_7
: only one thing i like about this album
i got a free dr pepper
at least well stop hearing about all this axl rose bullsh*t, for at least a little while. POSTED: 11/24/2008 - 05:49 pm / quote|
Nebjy
: Honestly I think this album shoudl have gotten an 8
it's not Guns and roses
its' Axl Rose and friends, but it's still a pretty good album. POSTED: 11/24/2008 - 05:54 pm / quote|
David_Bowie=GOD
: i agree with this review, seeing this album is almost as old as me, if not older, it should have been better. POSTED: 11/24/2008 - 06:04 pm / quote|
OMEB
Get the band back together and quit being an idiot, Axl. A GN'R Reunion right now would be bigger than the second coming of Christ. If you wait much longer you'll miss out on the chance!
SG_Player93
: the new guns is no were near the old POSTED: 11/24/2008 - 06:11 pm / quote|
itmustbejesus
: didn't slash leave because he didn't want to play ballads... i think street of dreams is ****ing amazing... what has slash done lately to impress anyone VR was a huge let down if he wanted to write Appetie of Destruction part 2 he would've wrote it izzy... and who cares about the name like really you won't by an album because axl owns the rights to the guns n' roses name grow up POSTED: 11/24/2008 - 06:20 pm / quote|
didn't slash leave because he didn't want to play ballads... i think street of dreams is ****ing amazing... what has slash done lately to impress anyone VR was a huge let down if he wanted to write Appetie of Destruction part 2 he would've wrote it izzy... and who cares about the name like really you won't by an album because axl owns the rights to the guns n' roses name grow up
no. read the last part of slash's book, he left because of the way axl was treating everyone, he said would've stuck with axl through an industrial record as long as they were on good terms musically and socially POSTED: 11/24/2008 - 06:28 pm / quote|
Charles88
: If the world scored a 2?!? There was a time, a 4?!!? I dont think the reviewer actually listened to the album... Its fantastic! POSTED: 11/24/2008 - 06:29 pm / quote|
PedophilePriest
: So the Chinese are pissed, thinking that the U.S. is conspiring against them with Axl as the pin man. Yikes. I'm not sure which song it was,
but one of the songs off the album sounded like such an unbelievably cut and pasted Pro-Tools hack job it was painfully obvious. I'll say this though, the dude can still sing his ass off. POSTED: 11/24/2008 - 06:31 pm / quote|
Zanon
: Ron Thal's guitar work on this album is incredible! I think if this album was under a different bands name without Axl it would be a huge success, instead of being scrutinized by everyone instead.
I think Axl brings his fair share to the table but the rest of the band easily overshadow him in my view POSTED: 11/24/2008 - 06:32 pm / quote|
JadedDeath
: this album is garbage. i don't even consider this Guns and Roses.
Axl rose is the only one left, and he sucks now. POSTED: 11/24/2008 - 06:32 pm / quote|
GIBSONroks6167
: ehh, this is a pretty accurate review. it surprised me that they failed 2 mention how "catcher in the rye" is probably the most traditional rock song on the record, but then again thats my opinion. also, i think they underestimated "madagascar" a bit, its f***ing EPIC live...but all in all, they were pretty much right on the money POSTED: 11/24/2008 - 06:34 pm / quote|
The quality of the album is not proportional ot the time spent on it.
That comment pretty much sums up this album all together POSTED: 11/24/2008 - 06:45 pm / quote|
SERIALTRENDKILL
: quit hating. this album is really, really ****in' good. theres just no way around it. the only song that isn't good on the entire album is shackler's revenge. period. POSTED: 11/24/2008 - 06:46 pm / quote|
breadstick
: At least the review wasn't really biased. Most other reviews give 10/10 even if it was crap. POSTED: 11/24/2008 - 06:53 pm / quote|
Vinura
: i said this a few years ago and ill say it again
it should have been called
AXL AND FRIENDS POSTED: 11/24/2008 - 06:56 pm / quote|
Blackflame47
: If you stop comparing this to Appetite and just listen to it, it's an incredible album. From the start I didn't expect another Appetite, and I was pleasently surprised when I realized the amount of win packed into these 14 songs. It's awesome, and deserves at least a 9/10. POSTED: 11/24/2008 - 07:03 pm / quote|
Nightfyre
: The math here surprises me... on the song by song breakdown, I noticed generally ok to bad scores, with a couple highlights and a couple of pieces of trash. Yet that section has an overall score of 8. I don't get it. Ignoring the fact that the entire middle section (tracks 5-9 given the length of this album) only reach a 7 once and go as low as a 2, working your way through the entire album would be a chore in itself. The opening tracks are passable, with the exception of Shackler's Revenge, and the closing 5 are decent if you get rid of I.R.S, but you have to slog through 5 straight songs that range from "meh" to "ugh" first. A straight-ahead average of the song ratings yields a 6. I might bump it down to a 5 just because of how rarely they rise above mediocrity and for making us suffer through 3 separate tracks that wouldn't rate as b-sides on anybody's album, but let's say we bump it down to a 6 and take a new average of the 3 sections. 7, 6, and 7 give us an average of 6.7. I'd rate it about a 6.5 at the most, because there are a few good songs on it but in general it ranges from ok to crap. Not just for GnR, for any band.
tl;dr - Review score artificially inflated but if you look at the individual song scores you'll get a better idea, they average an even 6.0. POSTED: 11/24/2008 - 07:06 pm / quote|
Sell Out
: Good review, thanks
I am really depressed cause I forgot to get my damn dr. pepper... POSTED: 11/24/2008 - 07:19 pm / quote|
taytay8b
: Well we have at least another 2 more albums of this crap. Apparently, Chinese Democracy is the first part of a trilogy of albums. Anyways this album sucked. POSTED: 11/24/2008 - 07:23 pm / quote|
diablo rooster
: i want my dr pepper now. POSTED: 11/24/2008 - 07:29 pm / quote|
stevecallahan
: i agree it do suck and i used to love gnr. they are all over 40 now i think if they dont get back together soon Axl's carrer i think is going down the tubes.Slash may hold on a couple more years if he finds a good singer....Bach... cough.... POSTED: 11/24/2008 - 07:31 pm / quote|
Shread_6009
: i really liked this album, its not just a total rip-off of the old days, and it has some good songs.
and if you think about it, most of the hype was about how it was gonna be really really terrible, but its actully prety decent. and with 2 more albums supposedly on the way, its good as a start. POSTED: 11/24/2008 - 07:40 pm / quote|
TooFast
: I think Shackler's Revenge has a great chorus. POSTED: 11/24/2008 - 07:40 pm / quote|
80guitarguy
: I personally love this album. Not as much as Appetite for Destruction, but still is a great album. But I haven't gotten into the recent history of the band until I saw Buckethead as the guitarist. That really shocked me right of, but it brings a nice touch to the album and the solos are very Buckethead sounding(if that makes any sense). I don't know when it happened I'm just glad it did. It brought one of my favorite guitarists together with one of my favorite bands. But I looked at the album booklet I want to cal it and I read the thanks area and there was a really funny thing from Buckethead and another from Brian. Buckethead: ... Lastly, Thanks Giant robot.
Brian: Christ, Viagra, and the power to choose.
Now both of these made me laugh and most of you already know this, but for those who didn't nice little treat. But I kinda wish it was the original GN'R band mates: Axl, Slash, Izzy, Rob Gardner, and Duff McKagan/Ole Beich... POSTED: 11/24/2008 - 07:48 pm / quote|
Kiffa
: The only song on the album that I wouldn't rate above a 6/10 is Shacklers Revenge, every other track is damn good. POSTED: 11/24/2008 - 07:53 pm / quote|
HavokStrife
: People who like this music are retarded, at least, the songs that I've heard. Greatest album ever? WTF kind of shit do you listen to?
The reviewer is pretty retarded too! I mean, how many tracks did he rate "2" "4" "5", and gave it an 8! POSTED: 11/24/2008 - 07:53 pm / quote|
Nigzy
: If you take the album on the grounds of the record itself and not who's recorded it i think most will think its good..but because its under the lable of GNR then most have a impartial view of it an i am the same..Im a Slash fan more than an Axl fan but i still think its good but a bit over produced..Think Madagascar is brilliant POSTED: 11/24/2008 - 07:54 pm / quote|
Roedy0309
: You got to look at this album without thinking it can only sound like old gnr. There's one member from the original lineup and it's Axl. Slash, Izzy, and Duff made the tone of their albums and why are you so pissed that it doesn't sound like Appetite, it shouldn't.
I love this album, I love that Axl had the guts to change the sound of the band around and I love the whole album through in and through out. It's definitely their best work IMO since Appetite. Not better than Appetite, but very close. POSTED: 11/24/2008 - 07:56 pm / quote|
pwninator123
: I say it's some of his strongest vocals
and the guitar is not as good as Appetite, but more interesting than the Use Your Illusions POSTED: 11/24/2008 - 08:16 pm / quote|
SlashIsGod091
: I really wish people would stop complaining about the band being called Guns N' Roses. It will never be called The Axl Rose Band or Axl Rose and Friends or anything like that. Axl has the rights to the name and it will always be known as Guns N' Roses.
That being said, I love this album. GN'R has been my favorite band since I first bought Appetite For Destruction when I was 12, I'm 17 now, and I honestly think this album is every bit as good, if no better, than AFD. Slash is my favorite guitarist of all time, but I can admit that Buckethead, Robin Finck, and Bumblefoot are all better guitarists.
And people are saying that an original GN'R reunion might happen soon since this album finally came out, well they are wrong. Chinese Democracy is the first in a trilogy of new albums; the second will be released in 2010, the third in 2012. After that, who knows. GN'R will be eligable for induction into the Rock N' Roll Hall Of Fame in 2012, so if there is gonna be a reunion, I'm not expecting it to happen until then at the very earliest.
This album basically displays what the original GN'R would have been like if Axl had total creative control over it, and I think is sounds absolutely brilliant! POSTED: 11/24/2008 - 08:20 pm / quote|
sbinlb
: good review and the only good song is "better"... the rest is complete crap if i would have bought it i would have been pissed POSTED: 11/24/2008 - 08:22 pm / quote|
metalmiked48
: I don't think that this album should really be judged according to expectations we have from how long it took. Crap would still be crap even if Axl sat over it poking it with a stick for a decade and a half. First of all, from what I've heard from it, it sounds like a fairly respectable and good hard rock record. Secondly, it would be almost impossible to fill the expectations of a GnR album with just Axl and some other people. The sound of GnR was based on the combination of the styles, techniques, and musical creativity of the musicians. For Axl to come out with a bunch of other people saying he was making another GnR album didn't seem like the most smart move to me, because, by saying that, people were automatically going to expect, say, a Slash liquid blues guitar solo when he wasn't htere to give one. POSTED: 11/24/2008 - 08:25 pm / quote|
If you listen to 'my world' on use your illusion 2, you can blatantly see what direction Axl was headed even back then.
GnR was always about raw rock n roll and Axl was too in the beginning. Now it looks like he is trying to keep up with the other bands around and trying to create something different. Which is fine up until the point where he calls it guns and roses. It just simply isn't and there are way too many fans out there that have craved another classic GnR album. Understandably they have more than likely bought this album and felt let down.
I got it and took it for what it is, an Axl Rose project and not the classic lineup we all know and love. Credit to Axl for creating a distinctively different album but unfortunately it misses the mark after all the hype. POSTED: 11/24/2008 - 08:25 pm / quote|
mafiaman20
: I think the average person who knows I thing or two about music can appreciate that this is an Axl project despite having the GnR name, if you cant look past that and take the music for what it is, im sorry but your just a spanner. POSTED: 11/24/2008 - 08:29 pm / quote|
fatpat123
: Good Album but not GnR, just Axl. Bring back Slash,Izzy, Steven and Duff!!! POSTED: 11/24/2008 - 08:30 pm / quote|
I think the average person who knows I thing or two about music can appreciate that this is an Axl project despite having the GnR name, if you cant look past that and take the music for what it is, im sorry but your just a spanner.
Does that mean you agree with me?
Sorry its late where i am and feeling groggy! POSTED: 11/24/2008 - 08:32 pm / quote|
tekee007
: buckethead saved this album POSTED: 11/24/2008 - 08:41 pm / quote|
castellorizon
: Think about it. Take away the fact that it is supposed to be GNR. This is actually a good album. It's not Appetite and it never will be, but its not a bad album just because it doesn't have Slash, Izzy, Duff, or Steve. Its still good music and I pleasantly surprised by this album. POSTED: 11/24/2008 - 08:42 pm / quote|
joshro
: Wow, I can't believe the writer thought the worst song on the album was If the World. Thats gotta be one of my favourites next this i love, There was a time and Sorry. This is not a bad review but Axl deserves more. He showed all you GnR haters, all you people that say this isnt GnR, he showed you guys that he can still put out a record that is amazing because it truly is. It wasnt meant to live up to 17 years or 13+ million dollars, because if honestly think about it, that's impossible. It's meant to be judged as a hard rock album and you know what? Axl did it, and he did it better than anyone else could nowadays. No hard rock band could do this, no nickelback, seether, or green day bs, just good, pure, hard rock and Axl, i congratulate you and hope to see many more from you. POSTED: 11/24/2008 - 08:44 pm / quote|
Nycto
: Slash was all that bad had going for it. Got the album and disowned it...ouch. POSTED: 11/24/2008 - 08:44 pm / quote|
jacob911363
: As long as we have waited for Chinese Democracy, it's still pertty good. Axl may have been a jerk over the years, but still i'm proud'a him and the rest of GN'R. I would probably give this album 8.9/10. POSTED: 11/24/2008 - 08:56 pm / quote|
Bunyip
: God damn it I wish they'd just get back together. I realize the originaly line up prolly unreasonabl but the use your illusions line up was still quality POSTED: 11/24/2008 - 09:05 pm / quote|
mcsjm3wso
: Thank you Joshro. Someone has good taste.
I almost completely disagree with UG's review here. The album is great for such a long wait, even though it's not perfect as promised. I don't understand why everyone keeps saying "Better" is the best song on the album. What a load. Seriously.
Anyways, decent album, even though I haven't been that big of a GNR fan, I think Axl put out a decent effort. POSTED: 11/24/2008 - 09:05 pm / quote|
Bunyip
: The session muso's sound like session muso's the album has no feel. just my opinion. POSTED: 11/24/2008 - 09:05 pm / quote|
mcsjm3wso
: Oh, and the fact that Nickelback got a higher rated review on here is absolute BS. Nickelback isn't half the rock band GNR is, even though GNR doesn't have half their old members. It just shows you that Axl is not all talk like Chad Kroeger and his ponyboys. POSTED: 11/24/2008 - 09:07 pm / quote|
Ironpriest
: I expected crap, and i got a masterpiece. I was very much suprised and can't wait for either the next album n the year 2023 or a Reunion! POSTED: 11/24/2008 - 09:18 pm / quote|
BallerVR35
: Everyone thinks the album isn't half as good as the others because slash and izzy aren't on it
but the session guys did a great job and deserve some credit POSTED: 11/24/2008 - 09:30 pm / quote|
rocknrollplayer
: ok this guy went really hard on the album, maybe hes a lil biased that its taken so long 2 come out.
I think this one of the greatest albums ive ever heard, personally
its got the attitude of appetite, and the soal of use you illusion.
Its the most creative albuum that come out in probly the past decade, and its very origonal. i like the whole industry part of it and i think this will inspire many musicians. I think that this might start a new trend in music if the singles are a big hit, then hopefully we can get out of this lack of musical talent (apart from a few bands) that is going on today. POSTED: 11/24/2008 - 09:42 pm / quote|
and as much as most of you may hate axl, look at what happened to velvet revolver, hey dont get me wrong they are good, but there vocals and lyrics look like trash compared to axl's. except shackler's revenge, that song is just a mess. you can say what you want about the it nt being GNR without slash/ duff/ sorum/ izzy etc, but its stands without axl, gnr would not be what it is and was. He is iraplaceable
...so is slash
...so is izzy
...so is duff POSTED: 11/24/2008 - 09:45 pm / quote|
rocknrollplayer
: and another thing, every single song on this album is written liek a single. You can tell that he has spent alot of time on each song. andif u havent noticed, everybody has different opinions on theyre favorite and least favorite songs, so there will be a large group of people who love each song, which will make this album a great hit
AXL ROSE AND FRIENDS - CHINESE DEMOCRACY - TEH
GUNS N ROSES - CHINESE DEMOCRACY - HELL NO
THIS ALBULM DOES NOT LIVE UP TO THE HYPE OF AXL ROSE AND CAN NEVER AND WILL NEVER BE ABLE TO LIVE UP TO THE REAL GUNS N ROSES MATERIAL.
GOOD REVIEW, JUST HAD A PROBLEM WITH THE WRITER REFERRING TO "THEIR OLD STUFF" AND "THEY"/"THEM" LIKE THIS WAS THE ORIGINAL LINE-UP...IT'S JUST F'N AXL ROSE...TEH
Take your Ritalin, Garth. POSTED: 11/24/2008 - 09:57 pm / quote|
You got to look at this album without thinking it can only sound like old gnr. There's one member from the original lineup and it's Axl. Slash, Izzy, and Duff made the tone of their albums and why are you so pissed that it doesn't sound like Appetite, it shouldn't.
I love this album, I love that Axl had the guts to change the sound of the band around and I love the whole album through in and through out. It's definitely their best work IMO since Appetite. Not better than Appetite, but very close.
Im with this guy.Aside from a few songs from the Illusion albums this is my fave since Appetite by far.It still feels like the old gnr in a way and I had my doubts that they could pull that off.And it only took them 17 years!!
Cheers Axl well played. POSTED: 11/24/2008 - 10:13 pm / quote|
77ari77
: i really enjoy this album, and i'm a huge fan of all their stuff.
Yes it is guns n roses. axl rose is guns n roses, slash, duff and matt left- leaving the name guns n roses to axl. period. axl is guns n roses. without axl, then you have velvet revolver. which is also a great band.
Anyway, If The World is one of my favorite tracks, i don't agree with the review of that song at all. POSTED: 11/24/2008 - 10:45 pm / quote|
ALLCINGI wrote:
F@#! the Haters. If you dont like it dont listen to it.
F@#! music critics too.
F@#! all the people that bought this album and then BITCH about it.
I'm sorry for you, not sorry for me.
BUNCHA' BITCHES.
Haha now that almost sounds like a GNR song. POSTED: 11/24/2008 - 10:58 pm / quote|
Felttoaster
: if it wasnt by "guns n roses" this would be a excellent album no doubt about it POSTED: 11/24/2008 - 11:26 pm / quote|
F@#! the Haters .If you dont like it dont listen to it . F@#! music critics too .F@#! all the people that bought this album and then BITCH about it.I'm sorry for you ,not sorry for me.BUNCHA'BITCH'ASS'HOES'YOU'ALL'IS'BE'DAMN'IM'OUT'LATE
and THIS is why the current generation sucks. wish i wasnt part of it. you all is be damn im out late. what. the hell. i think you have to TRY to sound that uneducated. POSTED: 11/24/2008 - 11:51 pm / quote|
tyranofreak
: I like this album and all, but I hated how Axl used the GNR name so much, that I changed the band's name on iTunes to Axl Rose Band. POSTED: 11/24/2008 - 11:57 pm / quote|
Shun1010
: They gave some of my fave sons on that cd bad ratings. There was a time and street of dreams are better than what they got, so is IRS. POSTED: 11/25/2008 - 12:04 am / quote|
jakehendrixman
: I don't care what any of you say. I'm listening to it as of right now and I back it 100% We all know that we wanted another appetite for destruction but it ain't gonna happen if AXL is runnin' loose. I believe that this CD is another great rock record albeit that it is taken in a different direction than hard rock. Every song is written like an epic song and that is how it should be appreciated. All I know is that Axl can still belt out his paint pealing vocals with plenty of conviction. I can honestly say that this album is way better than most stuff being played on air because of the creativity put into it. I mean who would trade this for the Jonas Brothers or Hanna Montana???? Anyway, I can't change your minds but mine as well voice my opinion. This CD is different in every way which sets it apart from the rest and will be seen as Chinese Democracy, not Appetite. Now off to get me free Dr. Pepper lol cheers!!! POSTED: 11/25/2008 - 12:10 am / quote|
zep_n_gun
: I love GNR, but if the ablum didnt have GNRs name on it i dont think i would buy it. Yeah it is completely different than the old days but i think axl kept the name GNR because harldy anyone would buy the album if it said something different (besides GNR). I know i wouldnt. POSTED: 11/25/2008 - 12:27 am / quote|
srvkicks@$$
:
everyone stop your B!tching already slash will never be in the band again
and this band is axls watever he does with it is wat guns n roses is
axl is the self appointed dictator of the band
and if a member didnt like it they quit
just like the original members of L.A. Guns that quit
right after they joined axl to make guns n roses
they couldnt deal with that fact that he was the boss
and the same thing happened with his next group of musicians
so dont give me this crap on how it takes duff, slash, izzy, sorum, adler to make GNR
this is axls band
it always was
Rokeman
: ^ bands should't have dictators, they should have equal input from all the musicians. and GnR was like that, until Axl messed it up. POSTED: 11/25/2008 - 12:56 am / quote|
glowinghamster4
: seriously i think this album should be getting way better reviews than it has. Of course its not gonna sound the same it has been laying around for 17 years and theres one original member. big freakin surprise. give it a chance ive been listening to it non stop since it came out POSTED: 11/25/2008 - 12:58 am / quote|
I quite like Chinese Democracy. It surprised me quite a bit.
not 17 not 14, 10 YEARS it wasnt worked on sice right after illusions OR right after Spaghetti Incident it started in 98 and its ****ing retarded that people wanna bash Axl so bad that they dont get their facts straight
and to all those bitching "it's not gnr blah blah blah" who gives a **** if he called it GnR Axl can call it whatever the **** he wants Slash quit and made shitty velvet revolver albums with duff and matt congrats to them on making shit and being stuck in the past, this IS guns n roses because Axl IS guns n roses **** off the albums great go back to ****ing 1987 if you're to scared of a ****ing change POSTED: 11/25/2008 - 01:02 am / quote|
m1chael w0rkman
: I...bought it just to say "I bought an original press of Chinese Democracy on the day it was released in 2008."
I didn't care too much for a lot of the songs on this, but a few really did remind me of the feel of the old days. I mean, that "swinging but tight" rhythm section is gone entirely, in my opinion, but some of the guitar work is definitely notable and Axl has become a fantastic singer. Meh. Overall...4/10. I think it this was just another band releasing a CD, it wouldn't even get a score that high. I just wasn't a total fan of it. POSTED: 11/25/2008 - 01:09 am / quote|
I think this album is really damn good.
I'd rather listen to this than to Appetite For Destruction (although maybe that's just because it is new material), and it is certainly a stronger album than UYI 1 and 2
Definatly worth the wait.
Just goes to show that Axl doesn't need and has never needed Slash or the others
Agreed 100%
Sry bro but Axl ALWAYS needed Slash and the others, he's a great singer but his voice sounds like shit when its accompanied by industrial meal.
SOADriff
: it doesnt sound like gnr at all =( POSTED: 11/25/2008 - 01:52 am / quote|
shortikid12
: this albums been in the making since i was born, man i hope im not as big a disappointment as this album is POSTED: 11/25/2008 - 02:05 am / quote|
wchizm
: to ppl those who think guns n roses is axl and friends and wat not.....do u call velvet revolver slash n duff featuring friends jst coz they left gnr and formed nother band? POSTED: 11/25/2008 - 02:21 am / quote|
ARE YOU SERIOUS ?!
This album will never be a scratch on Appetite for Destruction or Use Your Illusion 1&2, this is just Axl Rose making a peice of crap, with 4/5 of the talent of Guns N Roses missing, it's not Guns N Roses, just Axl wasting our time taking ages to release a crap album.
Having said that, back in the Guns N Roses hay-days, 1980's and early 1990's he was a very good front man.
personally i think this is better than Use your illusion, which to me only had a handful of amazing songs (estranged, you could be mine, november rain). POSTED: 11/25/2008 - 03:08 am / quote|
to ppl those who think guns n roses is axl and friends and wat not.....do u call velvet revolver slash n duff featuring friends jst coz they left gnr and formed nother band?
no, we call them velvet revolver, diff band, diff name. simple as that. if you were in a band and everyone left and it was only you, would you carry on with the same band name? POSTED: 11/25/2008 - 03:29 am / quote|
BlackDethMetal
: This is worsth GNR Album ever made. POSTED: 11/25/2008 - 04:05 am / quote|
GrayFoxz
: If Axl was as humble as a noble, the only reason that he kept the GNR name would be that he found the name sentimental LOL . I guess the biggest problem with that and this album would be people comparing it with previous GNRs albums (when the band was with it's finest line-up) and since it isn't in the same league as that, people dubbed this album as bad.
But having said that, this isn't worth the how many donkey years we've waited. POSTED: 11/25/2008 - 04:07 am / quote|
F@#! the Haters .If you dont like it dont listen to it . F@#! music critics too .F@#! all the people that bought this album and then BITCH about it.I'm sorry for you ,not sorry for me.BUNCHA'BITCH'ASS'HOES'YOU'ALL'IS'BE'DAMN'IM'OUT'LATE
and THIS is why the current generation sucks. wish i wasnt part of it. you all is be damn im out late. what. the hell. i think you have to TRY to sound thatuneducated.
J.Wilson-Solo
: I've loved GNR since i was well born haha,first thing i ever listened to,and well i don't hate this CD but i don't Love it.But there are few songs on here i really love,like I love Chinese Democracy,and Shacklers Revenge is ok,like if you didn't make most of the guitar sound like shit POSTED: 11/25/2008 - 05:09 am / quote|
I quite like Chinese Democracy. It surprised me quite a bit.
not 17 not 14, 10 YEARS it wasnt worked on sice right after illusions OR right after Spaghetti Incident it started in 98 and its ****ing retarded that people wanna bash Axl so bad that they dont get their facts straight
and to all those bitching "it's not gnr blah blah blah" who gives a **** if he called it GnR Axl can call it whatever the **** he wants Slash quit and made shitty velvet revolver albums with duff and matt congrats to them on making shit and being stuck in the past, this IS guns n roses because Axl IS guns n roses **** off the albums great go back to ****ing 1987 if you're to scared of a ****ing change
I lol at thee, dear fanboy.
I think you'll find that its the other way round.
Velvet Revolver changed. Axl still thinks he has as many fans as he did in 1987.
And I wasn't bashing Axl, you complete idiot. I was praising the album. POSTED: 11/25/2008 - 05:13 am / quote|
Reviewer Pete
: Not overly fond of this. POSTED: 11/25/2008 - 05:21 am / quote|
Whatcha all think?? POSTED: 11/25/2008 - 06:42 am / quote|
PoP N FresH
: first review was about right.....its really boring in parts, but has moments.....rather listen to something that soinds complete than this. wont be coming back for more. POSTED: 11/25/2008 - 07:51 am / quote|
Dude SAINTS OF LOS ANGELES all the way for me!!!!! it is an awesome album. Because it is all original members doing what they do and have always done best. POSTED: 11/25/2008 - 08:13 am / quote|
DownNdirtyRockG
: It sounds completely old style crue, but with an awesome new mordern sound to it!!!!! POSTED: 11/25/2008 - 08:14 am / quote|
this is the new guns n' roses! POSTED: 11/25/2008 - 08:33 am / quote|
Nigzy
: I think it lacks tone..you can tell Slash isnt there instantly POSTED: 11/25/2008 - 09:42 am / quote|
StringsofBlack
: Wow the guy from the second review completely just copied and pasted the review from Rolling Stone magazine. Good job jackass! POSTED: 11/25/2008 - 09:51 am / quote|
ServantofBurzum
: I don't understand Axel. I don't really like Slash, but no one can deny that he's a legendary guitarist. Why would Axel kick him and all the other members out of the band? It's nice that they're changing how they sound though. Should not have gotten rid of Buckethead. I'm no fan of rock music really, but Velvet Revolver DOES NOT suck. They make good rock music even if it isnt very agressive. POSTED: 11/25/2008 - 10:20 am / quote|
josemontero
: To be perfectly honest, this album is quite good in comparison to other recent releases. However,it is doomed. The reason? Everyone is expecting the album to kick ass in the same way as youse your illusion and that is a mistake. This album is the evolution of Guns N Roses, so dont expect the same old hard rock style. You need to let bands change and evolve their sounds otherwise we will have the same music/sounds for ever. POSTED: 11/25/2008 - 10:58 am / quote|
MoleMania
: Brilliant album. However, if Axl had called his group something other than guns n roses it would of had a much better reception. All those crappy "it's not GNR" comments would never exist. POSTED: 11/25/2008 - 11:04 am / quote|
jcthomasva
: I have given it a cursory listening and was not impressed. I may try it again a little later but I didn't really hear any tracks that grabbed me. POSTED: 11/25/2008 - 11:27 am / quote|
SERIALTRENDKILL
: stop complaining. the album was awesome, and light years ahead of all these shit bands they clog up all he radio's airplay today. everyone should support this album, motley crue, motorhead, metallica, and AC/DC in an all out effort to bring talented/real music back.. POSTED: 11/25/2008 - 11:40 am / quote|
Pr0teZT
: I love it !
The songwriting and playing is incredible on this album. POSTED: 11/25/2008 - 11:52 am / quote|
Brendan.Clace
: The riff at the beginning of Shackler's Revenge is clearly from Dig by Mudvayne.... if you dont see that, then you are blind.
I'm sorry.... but this is NOT the GnR im used to and a WASTE of 20 years coming.....
I am a HUGE GnR fan....but this just sucks.... POSTED: 11/25/2008 - 11:57 am / quote|
I quite like Chinese Democracy. It surprised me quite a bit.
not 17 not 14, 10 YEARS it wasnt worked on sice right after illusions OR right after Spaghetti Incident it started in 98 and its ****ing retarded that people wanna bash Axl so bad that they dont get their facts straight
and to all those bitching "it's not gnr blah blah blah" who gives a **** if he called it GnR Axl can call it whatever the **** he wants Slash quit and made shitty velvet revolver albums with duff and matt congrats to them on making shit and being stuck in the past, this IS guns n roses because Axl IS guns n roses **** off the albums great go back to ****ing 1987 if you're to scared of a ****ing change
I lol at thee, dear fanboy.
I think you'll find that its the other way round.
Velvet Revolver changed. Axl still thinks he has as many fans as he did in 1987.
And I wasn't bashing Axl, you complete idiot. I was praising the album.
i know you werent bashing the album but people who do seem to always say 17 or 14 years i simply quoted yours cuz it said 17 years. and velvet revolver really didnt change nething except their music got shitty and old really fast while how can you say axl has remained the same he never said oh im as big now as bag there but even if he did that has nothing to do with the music once again i know you liked the album just saying people need to get facts POSTED: 11/25/2008 - 12:01 pm / quote|
sav46e
: what Im about to say is gonna sound crazy,
but nearly rvry song sounds a bit rushed.
more so that its trying to get to the end as soon as it starts rather than that they rushed the recording though.
few decent songs. prob need to listen to it a bit more to get into the tracks. Just seem bit industrial for me. like their is a constant noise in the background that doesnt need to be there POSTED: 11/25/2008 - 12:24 pm / quote|
Hobo279
: ok, really...
I listened to this album for kicks. I thought you know, MAYBE if you give the guy 14 years he's bound to come up with something decent. maybe.
well, even considering my low, low standards for axl, i was disappointed. it was that terrible. I hate that "overproduced" sound, and this album, as one would expect, reeks of it.
I heard soo much hype about the song "this is love," virtually everyone I talked to loved it, even those like me who hated the album. So i listened to that track. and it was pretty good. until the much talked about "solo" in the middle. first of all, the guitar sounds like it's coming out of a multi-effects processor. Secondly, to say it "echoes slash's sound" is laughable. It has maybe a fifth of the soul of slash's worst.
good effort, axl. but go crawl in a hole where you belong. POSTED: 11/25/2008 - 12:42 pm / quote|
kmchipower
: to the people constantly crying that this is not gnr, its axl solo record...you're right...now SHUT UP!!!
this is a VERY good record that falls just short of great because there aren't enough truly WOW moments. But the entire album is pretty WOW all the way through. nothing but good songs, not a bad song in sight (well there better not be given it took 17 years for this thing to come out).
and it does sound like gnr...but it sounds only like the axl part of gnr obviously...which means...genius lyrics, genius melodies, and genius voice(s). POSTED: 11/25/2008 - 02:37 pm / quote|
thirdeye_15
: Yeh this is kik ass, im happy with the results fuk every1 dont give a fuk bout shit man, this is good music, would i wait 17 years for any artists album, mayb Tool , Radiohead, or even Between the Buried and Me, but at the same time i dont htink i would sit and wait for much for 17 years, and i still enjoi this cd . Atleast i get to hear it, Fuk off ppl POSTED: 11/25/2008 - 02:39 pm / quote|
jy9626
: The only reason I listened to Guns n'Roses was Slash. POSTED: 11/25/2008 - 02:57 pm / quote|
Tenacious Z
: Coming from someone who isn't really a GnR fan, this album is a pretty decent rock record. I enjoyed it. POSTED: 11/25/2008 - 03:23 pm / quote|
stratdud39
: I hate to say it but this album aint half bad.
its actually really good, i really like the guitar.
sort of sounds like its copying buckethead though.
i might go out and buy it POSTED: 11/25/2008 - 03:46 pm / quote|
rottened23
: i don't know what everyone is saying im loving this cd
...atleast its better than anything velvet revolver has ever made POSTED: 11/25/2008 - 03:56 pm / quote|
Crillz
: Each of the GnR albums were different, this ones just Slightly more different - people shouldn't say its not GnR just because it sounds different - and yes the others will be missed (steven more than matt tho) but you've just got to accept they aren't getting back together, they have!
O yeah and pretty good album, not brilliant but still good POSTED: 11/25/2008 - 04:01 pm / quote|
kmchipower
: oh yeah, everyone listen to the lyrics of "Sorry" carefully...
no one has said anything about it yet...but i think its obvious that hes talking to scott weiland...and maybe slash at the same time POSTED: 11/25/2008 - 04:31 pm / quote|
MetalGear1786
: You guys writing reviews except the first guy are all ass kissers! This album dosen't desirve more then a 6.5 7 at best. Its worth buying, but its not some real acomplishment or anything. Get Slash and Duff back and you will have a album worth a 9. POSTED: 11/25/2008 - 05:18 pm / quote|
powerstroke
: Honestly, this was one of the worst albums i've ever heard. Ever. This I love is a horrible song. Listen to the Dracula musical in Forgetting Sarah Marshall. Axle sounds just like that the whole ****ing album. I've listened to the whole thing twice only to be more disappointed with each listen. I can honestly say Axle should have never released this and at least preserve Guns n' Roses legacy instead of ruining it. POSTED: 11/25/2008 - 05:52 pm / quote|
powerstroke
: Ps what the **** is up with most of the drum beats? They sound all synthesized and crap. I enjoy listening to that if I'm listening to NIN or some Radiohead, but thats not GnR. I know some people disagree with me, but I've yet to actually meet anyone who has had one good thing to say about it. (My roommate and his sisters' favorite band is GnR. They enjoy every song made by them and they think that this is the worst album ever.) POSTED: 11/25/2008 - 05:55 pm / quote|
BMTH666
: I don't like this album at all. They got rid of all the good band members and replaced them with these idiots. Guns N Roses old stuff is way better than their new stuff. If they would've kept they members it would've been WAY better POSTED: 11/25/2008 - 06:13 pm / quote|
madh4ttr
: got my free Dr. Pepper POSTED: 11/25/2008 - 06:23 pm / quote|
JesterShred
: It's good, i have listened to it alot, infact i still am, but no offense, black ice was boring, especially compared to this album. This album would have been a great deal better if 1 thing had happened: he hadn't kept the name Guns and roses... because it's not. it's not even close to the same mentality that any of the other records they have show, he should have called it something like "Axl's Wank-Fest" then it would have been kick ass, but it's pretty run of the mill, and for something as great as guns and roses, it just doesn't quite cut it. POSTED: 11/25/2008 - 06:34 pm / quote|
Agreed. It's easily hands down my favorite album in the world. I've been listening to it non stop for about a week. I understand where the reviewers are coming from, I just don't share their view.
FYI, I'm a huge fan of Appetite. Axl has changed music yet again.
true i respect ugs opinion but it IS regardless of wheather you think it is not the real guns n roses.....which it is get over it people POSTED: 11/25/2008 - 07:05 pm / quote|
I think this album is really damn good.
I'd rather listen to this than to Appetite For Destruction (although maybe that's just because it is new material), and it is certainly a stronger album than UYI 1 and 2
Definatly worth the wait.
Just goes to show that Axl doesn't need and has never needed Slash or the others
Agreed 100%
Erm sorry to disappoint you guy, but this is NO WHERE NEAR the standard of either of the illusion albums!!!!
Dude SAINTS OF LOS ANGELES all the way for me!!!!! it is an awesome album. Because it is all original members doing what they do and have always done best.
sola was a bit weak 4 me chinese democracy POSTED: 11/25/2008 - 07:18 pm / quote|
Dude SAINTS OF LOS ANGELES all the way for me!!!!! it is an awesome album. Because it is all original members doing what they do and have always done best. sola was a bit weak 4 me chinese democracy
That is the exact album I thought of when I heard Chinese Democracy. If I had to pick, Saints of Los Angeles kicks the shit out of Democracy. POSTED: 11/25/2008 - 07:39 pm / quote|
spooner1957
: longest comments on anything ever. this is the greatest album ever. you can hear so many of his influences. axl got to do exactly what he wanted. when a band's sound stays the same, im sorry that's boring. congratulations axl rose, you change dmusic once again POSTED: 11/25/2008 - 07:57 pm / quote|
I'd rather listen to this than to Appetite For Destruction (although maybe that's just because it is new material), and it is certainly a stronger album than UYI 1 and 2
you have the worst taste in music my friend
Use Your Illusion 1 & 2 had epic songs, although as a whole they were mediocre
and Appetite is one of the best albums...every song on there is awesome POSTED: 11/25/2008 - 07:59 pm / quote|
Shread_6009
: if you didnt notice, one of the reviews is copy/pasted from a review from a web-site(rolling stones if im not mistaken) some people are just to lazy to do their own.
Hope UG will notice the copywright infringement in time POSTED: 11/25/2008 - 08:16 pm / quote|
I think the average person who knows I thing or two about music can appreciate that this is an Axl project despite having the GnR name, if you cant look past that and take the music for what it is, im sorry but your just a spanner.
Does that mean you agree with me?
Sorry its late where i am and feeling groggy!
Yes i agree with you, people need to stop being snobs and open thier ears to the new guns n roses and effectively forget about the GnR of old, becasue its simpily not the same band anymore and never will be. POSTED: 11/25/2008 - 08:24 pm / quote|
hawkdude9
: i actually like this album...i feel outnumbered lol guns n roses will never be the same-nobody should've thought they could live up to the expectations. bands need to grow and evolve and since this is such a sudden turn since use your illusions, it's strange for people to listen to it... POSTED: 11/25/2008 - 10:03 pm / quote|
King Krapp
: This album shat me up the wall. See review to be up in 48-odd hours. POSTED: 11/25/2008 - 11:15 pm / quote|
metalcoremax87
: It doesnt sound like old school guns and roses but its still alot better than i expected... POSTED: 11/26/2008 - 12:04 am / quote|
Mondo Generator
: I really didn't enjoy this album. Kind of a big letdown. POSTED: 11/26/2008 - 12:31 am / quote|
oh yeah, everyone listen to the lyrics of "Sorry" carefully...
no one has said anything about it yet...but i think its obvious that hes talking to scott weiland...and maybe slash at the same time
i don't think it would be directed to Scott. but maybe to former members...
"Sorry" works a lot better if Axl was directing it at himself in my opinion. POSTED: 11/26/2008 - 01:20 am / quote|
kool98769
: Guys...
I really enjoyed slash's absence.
This stuff is way too modern for slash's classic rock-y riffs.
I'm glad they seperated, because AXL has a completely different musical direction. POSTED: 11/26/2008 - 02:40 am / quote|
Symmetry4321
: I can honestly say that the only three tracks i liked were "Chinese Demoracy", "Sheckler's revenge" and "There was a Time". The rest just bored the living hell out of me or (like "This i Love or Prostitute") annoyed the living hell out of me POSTED: 11/26/2008 - 03:08 am / quote|
Vacmag
: Ya know, this may have been covered and if so it's good to get the same opinions sometimes. Listen to this cd MP3 or however.....but when you do, do it through headphones. It's one of those. I listened intently and I (Kinda) understood the mad genious that Axl is.....but kinda was pissed that he still doesn't understand that it's still just rock/roll man. These tunes are great but.....most the time we don't want to discuss songs as if they were movies. We just want to hear tunes that move us.....but not make us think too much. One or two is okay.....but an album full?? I get where he was trying to go.....I think he got there. But it's in the end unfullfiling to the listener. GNR was an attitude..not a thought. We're all older, but this is really too much to disect. With headphones and full intent on listening.....sure. Cruising around in your car, hanging at work, going out..going day to day, nope. I like this cd.....I just wanted this to be a bookmark not a benchmark. Hopefully in a couple of years these guys get back to basics. Looking forward to a tour though. POSTED: 11/26/2008 - 04:01 am / quote|
git-airman
: its a good album considering its axl and a bunch of (basically) hired hands, but it is a mere shadow of what it should be. compared to what the original members can do, they would have been a huge amount better. neither you or me can deny this is an album worth buying but lets face facts, if this was the real guns n roses it would be considered as dog crap on your shoe. POSTED: 11/26/2008 - 07:01 am / quote|
This isn't GN'R; it's not a bad album, but this band can't rightly call itself GN'R. Did anyone else who played even get writer's credit?
yes, but none of the guest stuff was included. (zakk wylde, brian may) POSTED: 11/26/2008 - 07:04 am / quote|
kmchipower
: on second listen you might be right...
but some of the stuff definitely still sounds like hes talkin to scott...like how he keeps on saying..."you don't know who to believe" and "you talk too much, you say i do, difference is nobody cares about you"...those could be a reference to when they got into a spat over slash showing up at axl's house...and axl and slash had differing stories about it
i dont think he means any original band member when he says "nobody cares about you"...actually, he could be also talkin to matt sorum..who likes to mouth off alot
Rokeman wrote:
kmchipower wrote:
oh yeah, everyone listen to the lyrics of "Sorry" carefully...
no one has said anything about it yet...but i think its obvious that hes talking to scott weiland...and maybe slash at the same time
i don't think it would be directed to Scott. but maybe to former members...
"Sorry" works a lot better if Axl was directing it at himself in my opinion.
nuthinbutachump
: I do like this album alot and im bummed slash, duff etc couldnt be on it
butttt if they were on it the album would have probably
been an appetite 2 instead of being chinese democracy
im enjoying what axls roses have made POSTED: 11/26/2008 - 12:39 pm / quote|
JDZYX
: I think all the reviews are being far too kind. I listened to the album, and I personally think it was abysmal. I wasn't expecting anything, but it was still worse than I thought it would be. POSTED: 11/26/2008 - 12:51 pm / quote|
mafiaman20
: Should have been called Chineses Democracy by Hired Guns! POSTED: 11/26/2008 - 01:08 pm / quote|
GNRrocka
: Personally I didn't have much hope for this album, but after listening to it... wow. It's really a great album. There's amazing guitar work, vocal work, and just overall musicianship and composition all over the album. It's certainly far from the old bluesy hard rock GNR that I love, but I'm not gonna complain.
Bottom line is though that you have to go into it with an open mind, if you're looking for old GNR you're gonna be disapointed, but if you're just looking at it as music you'll probably like it. POSTED: 11/26/2008 - 04:45 pm / quote|
srvkicks@$$ wrote:
first its led zeppelin not led zeppelic
second before you say these bands latest albums suck (which they dont) try listening to THE JONAS BROTHERS
or HANNAH MONTANA or maybe even some TAYLOR SWIFT or KATY PERRY
that music is more scary than listening to Cannibal Corpse and watching every SAW movie then seeing the Hills have eyes in the middle of the night
in a haunted house on a dark stormy night with your creepy RELATIVES (and to make it almost as scary as hanah montana's music your relatives could wear slipknot masks and perform satanic rituals around a pentagram then they could sacrifice a kitten and drink its blood)
First it was a spelling error
secondly you're a raging pussy if you think any of that scares you. POSTED: 11/26/2008 - 06:40 pm / quote|
I can't believe that no one is going to just come out and say it; this album blows. It sucks. It's god awful. That song where Axl sounds like he's about to cry.... someone should have told him that the album wasn't a rock opera. He's not going to Broadway. I think perhaps the reason people aren't lashing out is because, somewhat in the vein of the new Star Wars movies, it's in a certain sense, just very comforting to hear the voice of an old friend; i.e. Axl Rose. However, if you go back and really put yourself in your old shoes when you heard songs off Appetite and the Illusion albums you'll remember what the band really was like and the sound and fury that was GNR. We're mostly guitarist here. Like it or not, Slash is a guitar LEGEND and his absence from this album isn't merely disappointing; it's a deal breaker. From this album we finally have conformation that Slash was the genius behind GNR and that Axl is a hack riding the coattails of those who have within them greatness. Chinese Democracy is horrible. It's a joke. It's the last breath of an old dying ***** who would have done better to off herself years ago rather than suffer embarrassment of such a laughable fate.
I wouldn't quite call the Album crap on it's own, but compared to the Epic Records of their Original Lineup, I have to agree with you. But you have to consider that Axl has got some big shoes to fill. The Original GnR Lineup was Godly together, and without all 5 of them back together, anything else is going to sound horrible. POSTED: 11/27/2008 - 07:02 am / quote|
New Gn'R suck, new ACDC suck, new Metallica suck, new Whitesnake suck. but there is hope for hard rock! I mean new Led Zeppelic CD!
Metallica's new album is great my friend. Ac/Dc's new album is more of the same as the rest of their stuff, but the new GNR sucks balls. POSTED: 11/27/2008 - 07:08 am / quote|
justpeteau
: Finally!!! someone brings up the royalties issue. Of course Axl took on 'ownership' of the Guns 'N Roses name to make gazillions off radio air play. It has been done for decades, Lennon/ McCartney anyone????
That doesn`t justify him using the name to create an album that will alienate alot of his fan base who have been waiting patiently FOR A VERY LONG TIME, for the new Gunners album. No matter what alot of supporters say here, this just isn`t a 'real' G'N R album. And by that I dont mean he needed Slash et-al to make it that way. No, what he needed to do was stick to a winning formula, and a modicum of passion would have been good too. Alot of this sounds way to clinical...something Guns `N Roses were never meant to be. Good songs? No doubt a few of them are, certainly the title track is and when Axl allows 'his' band, the real people part of it anyway, to flex their muscles it rises above the mediocrity it threatens to become.
Personally I dont really think Axl has done a whole lot in the way of redefining anything other than a much loved bands identity..which is fine I guess but please less talk of how inovative it is...maybe in 1995 yea ..when NIN were emerging this possibly could have been considered edgy or 'new' but now...rehashing a tired genre and repackaging it in the form of a classic '80s band who want to gain 'cred' in a new century?? No.
Axl has one of THE ROCK VOICES, he may even be a half decent lyricist, but as a musician, he falls down, he really does need the creative input of some passionate, hungry musos to add to his frame work. Not just studio players bought in to lay down some fretboard work. How ever awesome the playing is...with out the frame work of a good song..they are just sounds. Oh and G`N R are a rock band Axl has to remember that.Lets rock out a bit more next time yea???? POSTED: 11/27/2008 - 07:21 am / quote|
b0ch0
: I think this album is "out of time"
That happens when you put an album off for a long time.
If C.Democracy had come out in 1996 when other bands such as pearl jam or alice in chains were at their top moment, the album would have had a much better review
But there are some songs that are worth listening POSTED: 11/27/2008 - 07:22 am / quote|
download it POSTED: 11/27/2008 - 07:43 am / quote|
Ozwal
: Wasn't there a song called "The Blues" heard it before the album came out (X that song was nice... POSTED: 11/27/2008 - 07:49 am / quote|
Big Dave 91
: Personally i think the album is shit GNR sound used to be punk and hard rock mixed together but now as one review said it sounds like they are caught up in the early Industrial scene which i think is very true POSTED: 11/27/2008 - 08:16 am / quote|
VeryHeavyMetal
: it's a good album, but it's just not Gn'R. and with a decade and a half to ****ing make it, I'd think it would be a little better. I was expecting the classic Guns n' Roses, but this album is way too digital for me. POSTED: 11/27/2008 - 10:32 am / quote|
Personally i think the album is shit GNR sound used to be punk and hard rock mixed together but now as one review said it sounds like they are caught up in the early Industrial scene which i think is very true
I don't actually like the music tbh. Although no denying, they are well written and produced songs.
The old GnR was way better in my opinion.
I think Axl would get much more respect if he released it under a differant band name. This albums brought down GnRs catalogue of awesome albums. POSTED: 11/27/2008 - 12:07 pm / quote|
harpcicle
: dgme92 is such a fanboy review. total rubbish. and as for the cd itself, this isn't G'nR so no comment POSTED: 11/27/2008 - 12:33 pm / quote|
wow shut the **** up i bet u havnt even listened to the album yet, and i bet ur one of those kids who just goes out buys a best of hits and listens to the first couple of songs POSTED: 11/27/2008 - 03:09 pm / quote|
^ bands should't have dictators, they should have equal input from all the musicians. and GnR was like that, until Axl messed it up.
mate, most bands have one or two members that rule the roost. ie hetfield and ulrich in metallica, steve harris in iron maiden POSTED: 11/27/2008 - 04:06 pm / quote|
Snarl Dreadwood
: the album's pretty good. biggest problem for me is there's way too much unnecessary guitar wanking
the good thing about guns n roses is the guitaring is usually well phrased and played in really smart places
chinese democracy doesnt have the same flair
axl's stuff is good though POSTED: 11/27/2008 - 04:17 pm / quote|
str84ever
: Best thing GNR have ever made. POSTED: 11/27/2008 - 06:02 pm / quote|
Gallagher666
: If it wasn't Gn'R you be thinking 'this is a good album' but no, people hate it, with I completely CLOSED mind. You're not music lovers, your just people that want an excuse to moan! GET OVER IT! POSTED: 11/27/2008 - 06:06 pm / quote|
stage4saiyan
: This got higher than Death Magnetic? Really? Damn...the reviewer must have very low standards (Death Magnetic= Album of the Year). I picked this album up expecting different musical styles but the same Axl Rose. Instead, I got Axl Rose pretending to be Trent Reznor. Slash ought to be happy that Velvet Revolver is better than GNR v.2 POSTED: 11/27/2008 - 07:01 pm / quote|
pwninator123
: some of his best vocal recordings, and the guitar is lightyears better than the Use Your Illusions, but then again Buckethead is lightyears better than Slash, no question POSTED: 11/27/2008 - 07:01 pm / quote|
GQ9999
: Axl, Duff, Izzy, Slash and Sorum/Adler were the one's who wrote the music behind GNR. The sum of all their parts created the real Guns N Roses that rocked up until about 1996. With 5 of 6 of these artist not writing, creating and contributing to songs since then, we've lost any hope of ever hearing any new GNR material that will be anything like what was released from 1986-1996. It just can’t be GNR the way we want it to be.
Duff, Slash, Izzy and Sorum/Adler all offer their own unique musical style, and you can't replicate or duplicate their writing abilities and the passion they put into the parts they contributed to GNR. Sure, there are other artists with arguably far superior technical talent who can play their parts. However, any new “GNR” music made by artists other than them will not have the passion, drive, energy, style, rythm, riffs, melodies, rawness, grandeur and emotion that GNR had up until 1995-1996.
Richycinsideme
: rose,thal,fortus,stinson,reed,fink and ferrer ARE BETTER!!! POSTED: 11/27/2008 - 07:28 pm / quote|
guitargodwannab
:
ok, this isnt as bad as wat i thought was commn, its vry well done if u ask me. so i give gnr (yes its gnr) a big thumbs up for a great album.
b4 i go i must comment on this.....
mc92 wrote:
New Gn'R suck, new ACDC suck, new Metallica suck, new Whitesnake suck. but there is hope for hard rock! I mean new Led Zeppelic CD!
new GnR= great
new AC/DC= great
new Metallica= great
new zepplin= in your dreams
maybe you should go back and listen to your jonas brothers, katie parry, nd other shit thats out there rite now POSTED: 11/27/2008 - 07:36 pm / quote|
Its not really gnr though iz it i mean its like an axl rose band or something.
Axl Slash Steven Izzy Duff= GN'R and nothing else!!!
Actually, I think Matt is better for the band then Steven but your point is totaly right....GnR fell apart when Slash, Duff, and Matt left. POSTED: 11/27/2008 - 08:51 pm / quote|
Smithsc
: I don't care what anyone says, this is not Guns n Roses the way I remember them. This is Axl & friends. Nothing more. POSTED: 11/27/2008 - 09:09 pm / quote|
pwninator123
: *sigh* bands lose members all the time
look at Opeth. They have Mikael, and no more original members than that
The Replacements had a coupla good albums after they replaced half the band...accidental pun
The Melvins are and always will be godly, and they have one original member
The Ataris change members every album, and still sound great
that doesn't mean none of these are the band, they still are, lack of members or not POSTED: 11/27/2008 - 09:44 pm / quote|
look at Opeth. They have Mikael, and no more original members than that
The Replacements had a coupla good albums after they replaced half the band...accidental pun
The Melvins are and always will be godly, and they have one original member
The Ataris change members every album, and still sound great
that doesn't mean none of these are the band, they still are, lack of members or not
Not to mention Megadeth; the greatest metal band of all...still kicking ass, with the only important original member left (and before you all say it Slash was not an important member - he was just a moderately good guitarist in the right place at the right time and got famous off uninspiring solos). POSTED: 11/27/2008 - 10:19 pm / quote|
look at Opeth. They have Mikael, and no more original members than that
The Replacements had a coupla good albums after they replaced half the band...accidental pun
The Melvins are and always will be godly, and they have one original member
The Ataris change members every album, and still sound great
that doesn't mean none of these are the band, they still are, lack of members or not
Not to mention Megadeth; the greatest metal band of all...still kicking ass, with the only important original member left (and before you all say it Slash was not an important member - he was just a moderately good guitarist in the right place at the right time and got famous off uninspiring solos).
if was just slash left it'd be different. it's like we really like greasy pizza but if you take away the cheese, crust, and toppings, and you just have the grease, ewww man. POSTED: 11/28/2008 - 12:21 am / quote|
justpeteau
: Buckethead better than Slash, very true, alot of players are but he and Robyn Finck, Rob Fortus and Bumble foot are not better for GnR. And yea Bands Like Megadeath, Iron Maiden, Opeth, Rose Tattoo, Motorhead all have a'controlling member' and haemorrage members all the time this is also very true. However the music they produce is consistant, style wise and generally quality wise, if it isnt they lose fans and have trouble luring them back or snaring new ones because people dont like inconsistancy. so when a GnR fan buys a G n R album..he ****ing well wants a G n R album. Why do you think Metallica pissed so many people off? If i go to the shop and buy a Coke I know it is gonna tast like Coke. If it tastes like ...say Dr Pepper.... Im gonna want some answers!!!!! Same thing. Change the line up put shred king guitarist in the band if u must...even if they leave later on you can keep their material and fool people into thinking they are still in the band, whatever, but keep the style close to what your loyal fans expect..of they will want answers!!!!! POSTED: 11/28/2008 - 06:47 am / quote|
beanhead
: if axl took the guns n roses name off the album and released it 10 years ago, we would be discussing a immense album. lets forget the band of the 80s/early 90s and surely we can agree on a great vocal display and versatile song writing. i m gutted that it doesnt have the intensity of old gnr, but i got over that like 5 years ago. still worth a listen n still glad i spent a tenner on it. agree?? POSTED: 11/28/2008 - 09:35 am / quote|
blink182plus44
: I'm not sure why you all love it so much. I don't really like GnR but their old stuff is beautiful compared to this. I listened to the samples on iTunes and his voice sounds terrible. Completely terrible. POSTED: 11/28/2008 - 03:40 pm / quote|
mate_jebate
: there are some good songs like there was a time and sorry. with others im not that impressed. but what i like is the sound, the sound on the album is just great, and also i like some guitar licks. and also i must say that you are just bull... when you say that axls voice is terrible. his voice may be terrible live, but on this album its great (mostly done by a computer i dont beleve that he can sing this good live) POSTED: 11/28/2008 - 04:45 pm / quote|
gnfnr4thewin
: Look, we have to stop comparing to "old GNR". I am a huge "Old GNR" fan, but I think this Album is terrific. If VR was called GNR I'm pretty sure Weiland would be torn apart being compared to Axl. If you buy the album, scribble out the band name, forget there was ever a band called Guns n' Roses, and enjoy the tunes. Relax, someday there'll be a kick ass reunion! POSTED: 11/28/2008 - 06:55 pm / quote|
F@#! the Haters .If you dont like it dont listen to it . F@#! music critics too .F@#! all the people that bought this album and then BITCH about it.I'm sorry for you ,not sorry for me.BUNCHA'BITCH'ASS'HOES'YOU'ALL'IS'BE'DAMN'IM'OUT'LATE
and THIS is why the current generation sucks. wish i wasnt part of it. you all is be damn im out late. what. the hell. i think you have to TRY to sound that uneducated.
Sory i is be not getin an educajun i is retarded neva i is wil post agin POSTED: 11/28/2008 - 07:24 pm / quote|
tesla_fan
: for all those who saythis isnt guns ....think of who named the band axl rose .....tracy guns.....axl is guns.....slash was auditioning for poison when axl came up with the name and btw velvet revolver sucks..stiil caught in the 80s POSTED: 11/28/2008 - 08:19 pm / quote|
zirdox
: In my own opinion this album is by far superior to any rock today.
And it makes VR look like a high-school band comapared to the huge sound of Chinese Democracy.
The production should make Metallica say.. "Oops.. shit we ****ed Death Magnetic up" - that's how a record should sond.
The whole discussion about the GNR name... Argh forget about it. GNR was always 70% Axl Rose.
The highlight is absolutely "This I Love". In 17 years there hasn't been ONE! single with that much power. POSTED: 11/29/2008 - 06:09 am / quote|
there are some good songs like there was a time and sorry. with others im not that impressed. but what i like is the sound, the sound on the album is just great, and also i like some guitar licks. and also i must say that you are just bull... when you say that axls voice is terrible. his voice may be terrible live, but on this album its great (mostly done by a computer i dont beleve that he can sing this good live)
saw him live in uk in '06, axl was on form. he announced his earpiece was ****ed n cud not hear but he still tore it up. epic
beelaal85
: I think this review is second to 'Death Magnetic' with most comments. Seems like the world has more Metallica fans, then comes GNR's. POSTED: 11/29/2008 - 01:58 pm / quote|
mate_jebate
: maybe death magnetic has more comments becouse it is out 2 months and chinese democracy not even a week. POSTED: 11/29/2008 - 03:03 pm / quote|
guitargodderyck
: Itsa good cd but it sounds nothing like GNR POSTED: 11/30/2008 - 08:28 pm / quote|
reddevil1250
: wow....im surprised ppl actually like this album.. POSTED: 12/01/2008 - 12:26 am / quote|
Buckethead better than Slash, very true, alot of players are but he and Robyn Finck, Rob Fortus and Bumble foot are not better for GnR. And yea Bands Like Megadeath, Iron Maiden, Opeth, Rose Tattoo, Motorhead all have a'controlling member' and haemorrage members all the time this is also very true. However the music they produce is consistant, style wise and generally quality wise, if it isnt they lose fans and have trouble luring them back or snaring new ones because people dont like inconsistancy. so when a GnR fan buys a G n R album..he ****ing well wants a G n R album. Why do you think Metallica pissed so many people off? If i go to the shop and buy a Coke I know it is gonna tast like Coke. If it tastes like ...say Dr Pepper.... Im gonna want some answers!!!!! Same thing. Change the line up put shred king guitarist in the band if u must...even if they leave later on you can keep their material and fool people into thinking they are still in the band, whatever, but keep the style close to what your loyal fans expect..of they will want answers!!!!!
If you want Coke, buy Coke.
If you want Appetite for Destruction, buy Appetite for Destruction.
I'm sure when Vanilla Coke came out, had you tried it, and it tasted exactly like old Coke, you'd be disappointed. POSTED: 12/01/2008 - 02:38 am / quote|
I think this album is really damn good.
I'd rather listen to this than to Appetite For Destruction (although maybe that's just because it is new material), and it is certainly a stronger album than UYI 1 and 2
Definatly worth the wait.
Just goes to show that Axl doesn't need and has never needed Slash or the others
Agreed 100%
Erm sorry to disappoint you guy, but this is NO WHERE NEAR the standard of either of the illusion albums!!!!
yes it is
Cant believe you people are actually saying these words!!! This album doesnt even come close to the illusion albums, it makes me sad that people are actually comparing this!!!!! POSTED: 12/01/2008 - 05:49 am / quote|
If it wasn't Gn'R you be thinking 'this is a good album' but no, people hate it, with I completely CLOSED mind. You're not music lovers, your just people that want an excuse to moan! GET OVER IT!
No, if it wasnt a GNR album i would still say that it was absolutely terrible. POSTED: 12/01/2008 - 06:00 am / quote|
I think this album is really damn good.
I'd rather listen to this than to Appetite For Destruction (although maybe that's just because it is new material), and it is certainly a stronger album than UYI 1 and 2
Definatly worth the wait.
Just goes to show that Axl doesn't need and has never needed Slash or the others
Agreed 100%
Erm sorry to disappoint you guy, but this is NO WHERE NEAR the standard of either of the illusion albums!!!!
yes it is
Cant believe you people are actually saying these words!!! This album doesnt even come close to the illusion albums, it makes me sad that people are actually comparing this!!!!!
m8 listen to it again then compare you obviously ain't heard the album POSTED: 12/01/2008 - 07:51 am / quote|
Time Seller
: This I Love is amazing. POSTED: 12/01/2008 - 09:46 am / quote|
I think this album is really damn good.
I'd rather listen to this than to Appetite For Destruction (although maybe that's just because it is new material), and it is certainly a stronger album than UYI 1 and 2
Definatly worth the wait.
Just goes to show that Axl doesn't need and has never needed Slash or the others
Agreed 100%
Erm sorry to disappoint you guy, but this is NO WHERE NEAR the standard of either of the illusion albums!!!!
yes it is
Cant believe you people are actually saying these words!!! This album doesnt even come close to the illusion albums, it makes me sad that people are actually comparing this!!!!!
It makes me sad that Slash is as famous and overrated as he is. POSTED: 12/02/2008 - 02:21 am / quote|
Restlesscow
: I never have been a huge GNR fan, so wasnt sure bout this album...but damn its good. They dont need Slash, prob better off without him POSTED: 12/02/2008 - 11:46 am / quote|
Slash ought to be happy that Velvet Revolver is better than GNR v.2
No it isn't
revolver r shite POSTED: 12/02/2008 - 12:46 pm / quote|
Jimi_D
: GNR are good, but Chinese Democracy could of been better, Axl still sounds the same, but with out the rest of one org. line-up, they lost their sound, without slash playing his killer leadys and izzy play his guitar, the to made a combo, that was hard to break, and now with out them, it seems the band lost it's fire, but, it was ok with buckethead, meh, i give the album 7.5/10 POSTED: 12/03/2008 - 08:49 am / quote|
RU Experienced?
: From what I've heard I think it's a pretty good album. I think a big part of this is because I didn't listen to it expecting for it to be UYI 3. It's not very reminiscent of old GNR but it's certainly not bad. I prefer Slash and Izzy's more raw tones' (sounds very digital in some tracks here) in their previous albums but it's good for what it is. POSTED: 12/03/2008 - 05:26 pm / quote|
MoshPitRock
: i only liked the first three tracks.
the rest seemed like guns n roses for the elderly..very soft, mild stuff.
this album has nothing on appetite for destruction or use your illusions 1&2.
nothing. POSTED: 12/03/2008 - 08:11 pm / quote|
slashprodigy :
this album is better than metallica - death magnet (is crap)! ac dc black ice is the ebst new album form old school bands
how wrong !!! death magnetic is way better than this
black ice is good tho
refor, the original GNR now that velvet revolver have stoppped and release a good album
Zwack09
: the first time i ever heard this album i freaked cause it just wasn't the same at first...but over time i got used to it, but i just don't get the same feel like when i listened to appetite for destruction, but its alright overall i'll give it a 7 POSTED: 12/04/2008 - 11:29 am / quote|
Confetti
: It tells me something that all the reviews are either 10 or 5 average. Get your heads out of your asses and review the album the way as any other album. GOD DAMN IT! POSTED: 12/06/2008 - 11:42 am / quote|
Confetti
: By the way i havent ever actually liked GnR's music that much but this album is really, really good. Thats a suprise for me. I tought it wouldn't matter when it is relised that its going to suck anyway but with the 5 first lissens the album is one of the best of 2008. POSTED: 12/06/2008 - 11:45 am / quote|
People who were expecting it to sound like Guns are just stupid. They all lef him long ago so now its just Axl.
Thats why he should just dump the band name Guns n roses and just call it "Axl the great Bastard"... POSTED: 12/10/2008 - 07:42 am / quote|
Phoenix117UK
: This album isn't actually that bad , if you think of it as more of a GnR inspired album rather than an actual GnR album there isn't a lot you can fault it with. POSTED: 12/11/2008 - 09:15 am / quote|
darksauce
: I'm quite enjoying this album. It grew on me. I'm a die hard gunners fan, and clearly this isn't oldschool guns n roses, its the axl rose experience, but it's still quite enjoyable.
I like most of the songs, but some sound a bit bland POSTED: 12/11/2008 - 10:14 am / quote|
jfsj123
: my favourites on the album are
chinese democracy
better
irs
this i love
2nd half of shacklers revenge
havent givin the others that much of a listen but madagascar is also good. tbh this isnt what i expected and i lrv gnr from the start so good album overall. POSTED: 12/11/2008 - 01:57 pm / quote|
i was meant to give it a 7 POSTED: 12/13/2008 - 02:26 pm / quote|
Jrsnyder881
: At first I didn't really take to this album to well but on a couple closer listens I honestly don't think it's anywhere near as bad as half the people on here say it is There Was a Time is by far my favorite song on the CD and it seems like it's getting bashed to hell and back for the most part :/ POSTED: 12/13/2008 - 09:49 pm / quote|
powerstroke
: This I love is a horrible song and I don't see how anyone could like it. I've heard it over a dozen times and axle's vocals sound like shit. It is worse than uninspiring and I can't believe the amount of people that consider this to be good music. If you want powerful music, listen to something with actual depth (I turn to Radiohead or Muse but that's just my preference there are other bands in the metal, jazz, and rock genres that fit that description), however, Axle lacks depth. He is a piece of crap. That is my opinion and it won't change. If you don't like it, get over it. POSTED: 12/16/2008 - 05:00 am / quote|
Onza_jk
: I think this album is a master piece. Truly a good piece of sonic art.
For the band, with the loss of their historic line up. I dont think anyone else(Apart from them) could of done any better. POSTED: 12/17/2008 - 07:36 am / quote|
Guns 'n' Roses used to be one of my favorite bands but i just cant consider this to be a guns n roses album, for one...its shit, lol, axel just cant sing anymore
I thinki i'll stick with the earlier stuff tbh
massive disapointment POSTED: 12/23/2008 - 06:27 am / quote|
mrbuckethead
: Part of me likes this album, but part of me hates Axl Rose (both the singing and personality). I like the concept of the album. But the music is just not doing it for me. POSTED: 12/23/2008 - 03:37 pm / quote|
DG_XXX
: its good to see guns n roses back
good cd to come back on,
but i hate that people give em shit..
be happy that you got a new album and if your gonna hate on it cos slash is gone, go buy velvet revolver
slash was a good part of that band but shit happens and changes are made so get over it. if you dont liek the idea of broadening your horizons and listening to a new sound **** off and listen to old stuff dont complain about the new shit and how ****ed it is.
Agreed. It's easily hands down my favorite album in the world. I've been listening to it non stop for about a week. I understand where the reviewers are coming from, I just don't share their view.
FYI, I'm a huge fan of Appetite. Axl has changed music yet again.
Your a ****in fruit cake. Guns N ROses is every CD before this crap Chinese. POSTED: 12/26/2008 - 12:03 am / quote|
Axl_Explosion
: I'm sure it's been covered before, but am I the only person who seems to notice the GIANT contradiction to all the "oh, it sounds nothing like old GN'R," which is that...well...neither did the UYI albums. If you go from Appetite to UYI, it's a TOTALLY different direction...yet nobody seems to want to bash those albums.
No, it's all these hive-minded idiots who see people bashing Axl Rose because he won't change the name of the band that he came up with...yeah, him and Tracii Guns came up with it...before Slash and Duff and Adler were even a thought. Nobody bashes Megadeth for swapping members or Dave Mustaine for refusing to play a show where a band he didn't agree with, because apparently he's Christian now, was playing. Yet, Axl Rose refuses to change the name of his band and all of a sudden, he's the anti-christ. Nobody seems to bash Metallica for not quitting after, RIP, Cliff Burton died and they replaced him, and then replaced Jason Newsted later on.
The truth is the TRUE Guns fans can look past the fact that there are some new faces, but the man who made it all happen is still alive, and still kicking ass. AXL wrote Welcome to the Jungle about his experiences, AXL wrote Sweet Child of Mine for his girlfriend, AXL wrote Don't Cry, Axl is the only member who has been Guns N' Roses since they were ****ing Guns N' Roses, not LA Guns and Hollywood Rose and Road Crew (where Slash and Duff came from, for all the uneducated idiots who think they know everything). So why don't you people pull your head out of the Axl-hater in front of you's ass and make give this great album the chance it deserves, and then you'll realize that it is a great album, right up to par with Appetite and UYI, and it is just another side of Axl Rose's musical abilities, with just as strong of a band behind him as the original Guns was. POSTED: 12/26/2008 - 07:21 am / quote|
dgme92 is such a fanboy review. total rubbish. and as for the cd itself, this isn't G'nR so no comment
I'm sorry burst your bubble, but reviews are based entirely on opinion. You don't like my review, but I'm sure some do. Get over it, I love the album, I rated it highly. Move on with your life. POSTED: 12/26/2008 - 11:07 am / quote|
Shackler's Revenge and If the World were 2 of my favourite tracks :S
And this album is fantastic.
I agree, well at least with if the world, but not with shacklers revenge. i think If the World is an awesome track, sure it's diferent, but thats what makes it so good. in my opinion anyway POSTED: 12/27/2008 - 05:18 am / quote|
JamesxHetfield
: Im sick of people shitting on Guns. Im a diehard fan of them, and love the original line up. Axl couldn't have done a better record. No one should have even thought that it was going to sound like classic Guns. There are different members who dont write the same as the old Guns did. You have to listen to it for Axl, not the other elements that made up there sound before (Axl killer vox, Izzy grat rhythms, Slash's amazing leads, Duff sweet bass, and the awesome beats Matt and Steven came up with) This is Axl's thing and Axl's band now. Its not going to be the same. And i really enjoyed it. I loved every track with the exception of Shackler's Revenge. So everyone would stop bitching. and calling someone a fanboy for rating the album good is retarded. Harpcicle can suck my cock, by the way POSTED: 12/28/2008 - 01:13 am / quote|
themtalisgood
: Theres no doubt that it is Axl Roses falt that GNR are a dying band. But I understand, he had a very ordanay childhood and I guess that had an effect on the relationship of the band. But i heard that Axl is paying the drummer less money because he thinks drums arnt as important. Chinese Democracy is ok, at least they maintained the feel of classic Guns N Roses, And saying that this album was too dfferent dosnt make sence. All the GNR Albums are different. Good luck to them history is against them. POSTED: 12/28/2008 - 09:07 pm / quote|
fretman5000
: I personally think this album is shit compared to original GN'R. Its just not the same and guns will never sound how they did ever again. Theyve lost me as a fan. POSTED: 12/29/2008 - 02:20 pm / quote|
QuickPickTino
: this is a garbage album and should never have been recorded. POSTED: 01/06/2009 - 03:41 pm / quote|
The Philosopher
: The album is not a 7.3, maybe more like a 8.7 POSTED: 01/15/2009 - 08:09 am / quote|
phantomm08
: this album is okay i thing they got only like one or two good songs they need slash back POSTED: 01/16/2009 - 04:08 pm / quote|
amacno2
: i believe this is up there with use your illusion and appetite. it may be different and yes its really not guns n roses in its real sense but it still has what made it famous: axl. all in all i really like this album especially its veriaty of songs from shacklers revenge to catcher in the rye, it is really actually pretty good if you open your mind to new sound. i think the best songs are chinese democacy and better. i recomend this album 2 anyone lookin 4 a good metal/epic album and at least 8 stars. POSTED: 01/16/2009 - 05:25 pm / quote|
I'm sure it's been covered before, but am I the only person who seems to notice the GIANT contradiction to all the "oh, it sounds nothing like old GN'R," which is that...well...neither did the UYI albums. If you go from Appetite to UYI, it's a TOTALLY different direction...yet nobody seems to want to bash those albums.
No, it's all these hive-minded idiots who see people bashing Axl Rose because he won't change the name of the band that he came up with...yeah, him and Tracii Guns came up with it...before Slash and Duff and Adler were even a thought. Nobody bashes Megadeth for swapping members or Dave Mustaine for refusing to play a show where a band he didn't agree with, because apparently he's Christian now, was playing. Yet, Axl Rose refuses to change the name of his band and all of a sudden, he's the anti-christ. Nobody seems to bash Metallica for not quitting after, RIP, Cliff Burton died and they replaced him, and then replaced Jason Newsted later on.
The truth is the TRUE Guns fans can look past the fact that there are some new faces, but the man who made it all happen is still alive, and still kicking ass. AXL wrote Welcome to the Jungle about his experiences, AXL wrote Sweet Child of Mine for his girlfriend, AXL wrote Don't Cry, Axl is the only member who has been Guns N' Roses since they were ****ing Guns N' Roses, not LA Guns and Hollywood Rose and Road Crew (where Slash and Duff came from, for all the uneducated idiots who think they know everything). So why don't you people pull your head out of the Axl-hater in front of you's ass and make give this great album the chance it deserves, and then you'll realize that it is a great album, right up to par with Appetite and UYI, and it is just another side of Axl Rose's musical abilities, with just as strong of a band behind him as the original Guns was.
Meshol
: I love Chinese Democrocy forgetting about the controversy on how long the album to to be finished or how much it cost it is a great album with plenty of great songs and im surprised none of them have a video yet! POSTED: 01/17/2009 - 07:21 am / quote|
I'm sure it's been covered before, but am I the only person who seems to notice the GIANT contradiction to all the "oh, it sounds nothing like old GN'R," which is that...well...neither did the UYI albums. If you go from Appetite to UYI, it's a TOTALLY different direction...yet nobody seems to want to bash those albums.
No, it's all these hive-minded idiots who see people bashing Axl Rose because he won't change the name of the band that he came up with...yeah, him and Tracii Guns came up with it...before Slash and Duff and Adler were even a thought. Nobody bashes Megadeth for swapping members or Dave Mustaine for refusing to play a show where a band he didn't agree with, because apparently he's Christian now, was playing. Yet, Axl Rose refuses to change the name of his band and all of a sudden, he's the anti-christ. Nobody seems to bash Metallica for not quitting after, RIP, Cliff Burton died and they replaced him, and then replaced Jason Newsted later on.
The truth is the TRUE Guns fans can look past the fact that there are some new faces, but the man who made it all happen is still alive, and still kicking ass. AXL wrote Welcome to the Jungle about his experiences, AXL wrote Sweet Child of Mine for his girlfriend, AXL wrote Don't Cry, Axl is the only member who has been Guns N' Roses since they were ****ing Guns N' Roses, not LA Guns and Hollywood Rose and Road Crew (where Slash and Duff came from, for all the uneducated idiots who think they know everything). So why don't you people pull your head out of the Axl-hater in front of you's ass and make give this great album the chance it deserves, and then you'll realize that it is a great album, right up to par with Appetite and UYI, and it is just another side of Axl Rose's musical abilities, with just as strong of a band behind him as the original Guns was.
You are such an idiot beyond belief and its proof by wow little Chinese Democracy is selling and how little its rated now.
The truth is a True Guns N Roses fan wouldn't buy this album because a true Guns N Roses fan knows this ISN'T GUNS N ROSES. Stick that in your pipe and smoke you jackass!
The spirit of what Guns N Roses used to be is now Velvet Revolver. I believe Chinese Democracy is rated EVEN LOWER than Libertad ....LOL
Galfadez
: The album is ok but not great. I thought the intro to chinese democracy was pretty cool but after that it turned to shit. POSTED: 01/21/2009 - 09:21 pm / quote|
sulley42490
: sorry but this is not guns and roses. way too overproduced. just throw computers out the window and use good ol marshall stacks. that's G'n'R! POSTED: 01/27/2009 - 10:01 pm / quote|
sorry but this is not guns and roses. way too overproduced. just throw computers out the window and use good ol marshall stacks. that's G'n'R!
No its not douchebag, thats Slash! Which is why hes been churning out half arsed boring rock albums since GNR! THIS ALBUM IS AWESOME AS IS NEW GNR! Get off the bandwagon. POSTED: 01/30/2009 - 04:56 pm / quote|
Galfadez
: if the world is the best song. chinese democracy is the worst. short. simple POSTED: 01/31/2009 - 06:31 am / quote|
SlipknotZ
: Chinese Democracy and Shackler's Revenge were the only good songs. Other than that this album was pure shit. It completely destroyed my faith in Axl. Like SERIOSULY some of the vocals on this album were atrocious, like he was trying to see how high pitched he could go before he broke the machines. Even with Buckethead backing him, Axl failed miserably. And it sucks cuz I was so dearly looking forward to this album... POSTED: 02/02/2009 - 09:29 pm / quote|
Buckethead better than Slash, very true, alot of players are but he and Robyn Finck, Rob Fortus and Bumble foot are not better for GnR. And yea Bands Like Megadeath, Iron Maiden, Opeth, Rose Tattoo, Motorhead all have a'controlling member' and haemorrage members all the time this is also very true. However the music they produce is consistant, style wise and generally quality wise, if it isnt they lose fans and have trouble luring them back or snaring new ones because people dont like inconsistancy. so when a GnR fan buys a G n R album..he ****ing well wants a G n R album. Why do you think Metallica pissed so many people off? If i go to the shop and buy a Coke I know it is gonna tast like Coke. If it tastes like ...say Dr Pepper.... Im gonna want some answers!!!!! Same thing. Change the line up put shred king guitarist in the band if u must...even if they leave later on you can keep their material and fool people into thinking they are still in the band, whatever, but keep the style close to what your loyal fans expect..of they will want answers!!!!!
If you want Coke, buy Coke.
If you want Appetite for Destruction, buy Appetite for Destruction.
I'm sure when Vanilla Coke came out, had you tried it, and it tasted exactly like old Coke, you'd be disappointed.
Very well said the both of you....
I personally think this album is great.... but like the
UG reviewer said.... That Specific Magic of The Old Days is lost... What he said was true... but the new G n R band and Axl are to be respected because they went out of their comfort zones to give us this album... I always appreciate originality and Chinese Democracy has it all over... Axl still has it like he used to in my opinion!!!!
But I really hope and pray that the old band comes back.. Now That will be a concert to jump around at!!
Led Zeppelin had 12 million people applying for tickets for their reunion show on December 2007...
Guns n Roses will have everyone who appreciates music from an electric guitar there... POSTED: 02/05/2009 - 06:23 am / quote|
Deanwings79
: i hate how everybody is comparing 2009 to 1987,1991 and such.
axl is the ONLY original member and i think it was a mistake on his part to sue for the name "guns n' roses" because he dragged all of these comparisons with him.
the thing is there IS not slash, duff, adler, stradlin theres a different group.
it was very smart on his part to change the sound completely of the band. you can't compare some of the ballads of the album to november rain and civil war etc, because it was a completely different band and a completely different sound.
thank you axl for giving us a completely different sound with your completely different band, i think it really worked for him. but his only mistake was keeping the name guns n' roses.
if axl chose a new name he wouldn't have the comparisons to the old band and velvet revolver will likely be called gn'r or something else.
i really liked the album, im not comparing this to appetite or uyi, this is basically a debut album and thats how im treating it and i like it. POSTED: 02/08/2009 - 04:11 pm / quote|
JohnnyCapo.lp
: firstly if you want to compare old guns to a worthy comparrison, try velvet revolver! at least 3 out of 5 of the old guns and roses band members are there!
second Chinese democracy is a very mediocre album compared to the expectations made by the long wait for the "next g'n'r album"
Frankly there is no guns and roses without slash's timeless riffs and duff's amazing bass sound. to use a group name that was the "voice" of 80's hard rock and come out with something not worthy of the name guns and roses!
Thirdly, let's be honest, axl is older and he can't sing like "back in the day" and his lyrics are not as clever or as deep as touching as in civil war or patience.
Lastly all things considered they could have used less money and more creativity in many of their songs because at this poit it is just "a major disappointment"
that is all... for now! POSTED: 02/11/2009 - 03:50 pm / quote|
X-Choko
: Hm, its the worst album, but its not that bad as people are claiming it to be. I like it, obviously a prefer to hear some of old GNR, but this has some new sounds that are really worth listening :P POSTED: 02/12/2009 - 06:25 pm / quote|
srsfiter
: this album sucks. Axl rose can not sing his voice is not better he had to autotune a few times. HE SUCKS NOW and he is a complete ******* who destroyed GNR. POSTED: 04/02/2009 - 05:39 pm / quote|
umbrella666
: I find this album to be ok. It's not really Guns N' Roses but I still find it to be a decent change. Axl my of messed up the original line up(which was the best) but this CD is still good. 7 outta 10 *
voodoochild23
: Chinese Democracy is an outstanding album.
The first review on here was written one day after the album was released, which means it was basically a 'lets find as many faults as we can' review.
The solos on this album are incredibly diverse, the melodies are strong, not a single song sounds the same as any of the others, what do people want? Its so much stronger than use your illusion 1 or 2, its laughable.
For crying out loud, listen to it as an album, not as 'the new guns n roses album which must surely suck without slash!' POSTED: 04/07/2009 - 08:29 am / quote|
QuiatFat
: It seems to me like most of the old, die-hard GNR fans are loving this album while the people who just knew the "popular" songs are hating this album.
Seems to be that true Gunners are loving this album. Which they should, because I'm a GNR die-hard and I think this album is awesome. POSTED: 05/28/2009 - 04:29 pm / quote|
ESPman6505+
: u can tell this has been in the works for 15 years lol POSTED: 06/08/2009 - 12:30 pm / quote|
FearOfTheDuck
: If this was an amazing mind-blowing album then fair enough ya know? It took 15 years, it should have been a fecking brilliant album, but it wasn't, Axl clearly doesn't give a crap about the fans, the remaining ones anyway. Over hyped piece of shit... POSTED: 07/20/2009 - 07:06 am / quote|
Cade_nickels
: worst G'N'R' album ever. but them again it's not really G'N'R so whatever... POSTED: 07/23/2009 - 08:17 pm / quote|
BUTCHY13
: No it's not the worst G n' R album ever, that was Lies. Lies was and is the worst G n' R album ever made. This album is the second worst they did. I thought it was a lot better than most of the crap that's being released at the moment though as it has 4 or 5 decent songs on it. POSTED: 07/25/2009 - 07:45 pm / quote|
vascoa7x
: worst album ever along with spagetti -.- POSTED: 07/27/2009 - 04:38 pm / quote|
somename454
: I loved this record. The reason it dosnt sound like old Guns.....is because the old Guns is gone! So stop with that argument. Go listen to Appetite if you want 1987 Guns N Roses POSTED: 08/25/2009 - 10:24 pm / quote|
Ponchibego
: I think it's really hard to review this album fairly anymore... There are too many people that are judging the time it took to make the album and what kind of person Axl Rose is instead of actually the music. Everyone is going in with a preset attitude about it and already knows what their thoughts are going to be before they even listen to it. Correct: It's not Gn'R, but it's still a good band and album in my opinion. POSTED: 09/15/2009 - 09:37 pm / quote|
TheRobbo7108
: wanted to hate this album as i loved the original GNR but i just couldn't, every song is an epic POSTED: 10/26/2009 - 04:37 pm / quote|
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