 |
|
GUNS N' ROSES' 'Chinese Democracy' Finally Has A Release Date
- Oct. 9, 2008
|
|
|
According to Hits Daily Double, the companion web site of music industry tip sheet HITS, GUNS N' ROSES' long-awaited new album, "Chinese Democracy" (Geffen/Interscope) finally has a release date. The CD will hit all Best Buy stores, where it is an exclusive, on the Sunday prior to Thanksgiving, November 23, giving it a full seven days on sale before entering the chart on December 2. Best Buy's sales week runs from Sunday through Saturday night.
GUNS manager Andy Gould reportedly told 900 Best Buy employees at "vendor convention" held by Best Buy last month in Dallas that a new GN'R song called "If The World" will play under the closing credits of "Body of Lies", the new film starring Leonardo DiCaprio and Russell Crowe due out on October 10. That news was confirmed online at film web sites whose representatives had attended a press screening of the flick. "If The World" will not appear on the film's soundtrack album.
"If The World" features the guitar work of Robin Finck and Buckethead, who have both since departed GUNS N' ROSES.
Another new GN'R song, called "Shackler's Revenge", appears on the Rock Band 2 video game.
"Chinese Democracy" has been more than 13 years in the making, with every original member of GUNS N' ROSES except for frontman Axl Rose long since gone from the lineup.
|
|
 |
|
To report any abusive, obscene, defamatory, racist, homophobic or
threatening comments, or anything that may violate any applicable laws,
please send an e-mail to bmouth@bellatlantic.net
with pertinent details.
Anyone posting such material will be immediately and permanently banned. IP
addresses are recorded to aid us in enforcing these conditions.
|
|
 |
COMMENT |
posted by :
10/9/2008 7:36:49 AM
|
 |
|
|
I'll be the first to buy it.
|
|
|
|
|
COMMENT |
posted by : MetalMetalMetal
10/9/2008 7:40:00 AM
|
|
|
|
Should be a mistake.
|
|
|
|
|
COMMENT |
posted by :
10/9/2008 7:47:07 AM
|
|
|
|
haha. so it finally gonna come out. of what ive heard so far of the album , i dunno. i didnt get a "wow" feeling of the songs. except madagascar thats a cool track so smoke a joint to :)
|
|
|
|
|
COMMENT |
posted by : Psychobolia.com
10/9/2008 7:48:00 AM
|
|
|
|
Awesome, can't wait, hope it lives up to the hype... Hope a world tour follows (with two guitarists this time, none of that gay 3 guitar players on stage business)...
|
|
|
|
|
COMMENT |
posted by : Bernard Shakey
10/9/2008 7:57:32 AM
|
|
|
|
ha. looks like kory clarkes efforts to ride on axls coat tails once again are gonna suffer a massive blow.
|
|
|
|
|
COMMENT |
posted by : The Judge
10/9/2008 7:58:43 AM
|
|
|
|
What a waste of space this thread is.
|
|
|
|
|
COMMENT |
posted by : The Judge
10/9/2008 7:59:55 AM
|
|
|
|
The only decent thing on this page is the Nightmare Before Christmas advert on the side and it doesn't work!
|
|
|
|
|
COMMENT | I'm on the fence...
posted by : BlabberMagnetic
10/9/2008 8:05:20 AM
|
|
|
|
I want to buy it just to hear it, but I don't want to buy (among others) it in hopes that it flops and Axl does the right thing with the band.
|
|
|
|
|
COMMENT | 1st day buyer
posted by : Yambag
10/9/2008 8:15:39 AM
|
|
|
|
Axl is GOD
|
|
|
|
|
COMMENT | Presenting the world's most...
posted by : Raiders757
10/9/2008 8:17:14 AM
|
|
|
|
...overrated cover band, of the world's most overrated band.
Axl Rose & Friends
All kidding aside. I'm happy for Axl fans. Maybe the damn thing will come out this time.
|
|
|
|
|
COMMENT | Can't wait..
posted by : blabberhole
10/9/2008 8:26:29 AM
|
|
|
|
To download it and pass it to my friends. Then we will laugh and remember the good ole days, when it was Guns N Roses. Not the Axl Rose mystery Pro Tools tour starring every cast-off musician since 1995.
|
|
|
|
|
COMMENT |
posted by : MarcusSeven
10/9/2008 8:34:06 AM
|
|
|
|
Meh...
|
|
|
|
|
COMMENT |
posted by : Meaney
10/9/2008 8:36:35 AM
|
|
|
|
believe it when i see it in the shops
|
|
|
|
|
COMMENT | sucks
posted by :
10/9/2008 8:40:17 AM
|
|
|
|
I have heard what is out there and the new stuff is crap. axl trying to get his voice too high... helium axl.... sucks
|
|
|
|
|
COMMENT | 75% Of C.D. is already out.
posted by :
10/9/2008 8:41:39 AM
|
|
|
|
we already have 8 of the 12(?) songs. The album has pretty much been out all year so it's really no big deal to hear the rest of it.
|
|
|
|
|
COMMENT |
posted by : Steve Guttenberg
10/9/2008 8:47:51 AM
|
|
|
|
I'll believe it when I don't see it
|
|
|
|
|
COMMENT |
posted by : rds
10/9/2008 8:48:24 AM
|
|
|
|
FREE DR. PEPPER!!!
FREE JALAPENO PEPPER'S ON YOUR TACO!!!
|
|
|
|
|
COMMENT | Can't Wait
posted by :
10/9/2008 8:49:07 AM
|
|
|
|
Been a fan since day one so i am going to give it's fair shot. No slash, duff, or izzy makes me nervous, but I don't care, Axl is too good to pass up.
I highly doubt it has any chance to be any where near as good as Death Magnetic, though.
|
|
|
|
|
COMMENT | ^^^^^^
posted by :
10/9/2008 8:58:42 AM
|
|
|
|
"I highly doubt it has any chance to be any where near as good as Death Magnetic, though."
....but at least it will be produced properly
|
|
|
|
|
COMMENT | Who cares?!?
posted by :
10/9/2008 8:58:53 AM
|
|
|
|
This album has been promised for YEARS, and I still maintain that it won't be the same as it was in the early 90s. I might buy it so I can use the album cover to wipe my ass with. Axl is a washed-up hack.
|
|
|
|
|
COMMENT | yawn
posted by :
10/9/2008 9:01:42 AM
|
|
|
|
i don't even care anymore
it should be called, The Axl Rose Band
|
|
|
|
|
COMMENT | OH FUCK!!!!
posted by :
10/9/2008 9:02:22 AM
|
|
|
|
THERE GOES MY FREE DR. PEPPER!!!!!
|
|
|
|
|
COMMENT |
posted by : kisskissrules
10/9/2008 9:03:01 AM
|
|
|
|
Who cares? It will be a steaming pile of cow poop!
|
|
|
|
|
COMMENT |
posted by :
10/9/2008 9:29:18 AM
|
|
|
|
1. Unless a release date is posted on gunsnroses.com and confirmed by Axl I do not believe it and neither should anyone.
2. The old band will NEVER get back together. Anyone who knows Axl's ideas on loyalty and how he drops people quickly and permanently if he thinks they f*cked him over - no matter if his opinion is normal or right or whatever - knows that a reunion of the orginal GNR will never happen, no matter how much money is offered.
|
|
|
|
|
COMMENT | axl poser
posted by : ENVISIONED3RDEYE
10/9/2008 9:31:46 AM
|
|
|
|
is such an ego-driven has been. he destroyed the band and hes trying to resurrect it. good luck!! r.i.p. g-n-r (or should i say, axls little braindead sheep musicians that suck his balls to be on an album that will suck!!)
|
|
|
|
|
COMMENT | Different than the old
posted by : Jack Bauer
10/9/2008 9:32:28 AM
|
|
|
|
So many people have bashed AC/DC on this sight because all of their music sounds the same. The same people bash Axl because he has changed his music everytime since AFD. As good as AFD was, I wouldn't want a rerun. The new album (albums, maybe three from what I hear) sounds like a combination of GN"R with a mixture of NIN and and little bit of a Radiohead sound mixed in. In short, it's modernized and a bit industrial at times.
Like Slash said in an interview, it's not the same style of music that GN'R would make, but that it is very good and he said he now can see where Axl is coming from with his music.
|
|
|
|
|
COMMENT |
posted by :
10/9/2008 9:36:48 AM
|
|
|
|
bullshit
|
|
|
|
|
COMMENT |
posted by : nyc333
10/9/2008 9:38:28 AM
|
|
|
|
i bet it sounds better than the metallica abomination
|
|
|
|
|
COMMENT |
posted by :
10/9/2008 9:42:21 AM
|
|
|
|
ENVISIONED3RDEYE:
1. izzy quit (the only real original member of gnr beside axl).
2. adler was replaced so they could record the UYI albums b/c he physically could not play the songs.
3. duff quit.
4. slash quit. axl was actually the last person to sign the papers removing him from the band.
so saying he ruined the group is not correct. his personality probably contriubuted to it, lack of production after the UYI marathon tours and wanting to change their sound helped make slash's decision for him, but without his f'd up brain GNR would never have made it in the first place.
|
|
|
|
|
COMMENT | wait and see
posted by :
10/9/2008 10:05:42 AM
|
|
|
|
They'll postpone the release date on Novemer 22nd
|
|
|
|
|
COMMENT | Bluff....
posted by :
10/9/2008 10:08:57 AM
|
|
|
|
Axl will pull it in the last minute. He is afraid of failure and with the record industry being the way it is, every album, good or bad, is not destined to sell well. At least not as well as they used to. What was the last album that sold even 5 mil copies? That is what Axl is afraid of, which is justifiable cause it been a decade in the making and the expectations are high.
If it does happen, HOW DO WE claim that Dr. Pepper?
|
|
|
|
|
COMMENT | I will be getting this for free...........
posted by :
10/9/2008 10:16:57 AM
|
|
|
|
However, I will not be stealing it. No illegal downloading or shoplifting for me. I get to use my Best Buy Reward Zone points on it!!!!!! Hell yeah!!!! Free for me!!! I loves me some Best Buy!!!!!!!
|
|
|
|
|
COMMENT |
posted by :
10/9/2008 10:20:34 AM
|
|
|
|
Dr. Pepper said they will have a coupon on their website for a bried period for a free drink if it is released.
|
|
|
|
|
COMMENT | fool me once...
posted by :
10/9/2008 10:23:50 AM
|
|
|
|
Shame on you. fool me HOW many times, Axl?
I'll believe this when I see the disc actually in stores.
|
|
|
|
|
COMMENT | DUDE
posted by :
10/9/2008 10:29:52 AM
|
|
|
|
...hell just froze over
|
|
|
|
|
COMMENT |
posted by :
10/9/2008 10:31:14 AM
|
|
|
|
Chinese Anger?
St Democracy?
|
|
|
|
|
COMMENT |
posted by :
10/9/2008 10:31:50 AM
|
|
|
|
After the Mtv music award performance I now know Guns is dead. Horrible performance. Rediculous predator hairstyle, couldn't sing for shit. Silly I tell ya, silly!
I wouldn't steal this record from Best Buy or download it. It's really just sad for the bands legacy. The guys a loser.
|
|
|
|
|
COMMENT | Dear Axl
posted by : Bernard Shakey
10/9/2008 10:38:00 AM
|
|
|
|
Chinese Democracy will be the most illegally downloaded album of all time so fuck the hype, fuck the press, fuck the critics and give the album away free (or sell it like Radiohead did) and then release another killer record from the mountains of songs you have in a couple of months time.
|
|
|
|
|
COMMENT | DESERTPLAINS
posted by : darthadv
10/9/2008 10:38:17 AM
|
|
|
|
i will be buying the cd and all, but make no mistake - the breakup of the original lineup is axl's, directly or indirectly... it's axl who held up working on new material, which led to the first slash's snakepit record (note the lineup) and duff's subsequent solo disc... axl then fired Matt (at least by the accounts at that time... i know the story has changed since then)... plus, it was axl who demanded that the others sign over their rights to the name when they were all still in the band (i forget the circumstances, but it was either to continue touring or recording, one or the other)...
will be glad to hear what axl has to offer, but would love to see the classic lineup reunite at least for a tour... i don't think it's at a point where axl hates the guys, just that he's trying to prove, right or wrong, that he's the driving force and the draw of gnr (which, imho, is a wrong assumption... any fan of the band back in the day, even the casual fan, KNEW each member of gnr... how many bands can claim that today, even those with the most mainstream acceptance?)...
|
|
|
|
|
COMMENT |
posted by : Pee Wee Herman
10/9/2008 10:38:45 AM
|
|
|
|
how many times will it get delayed?
|
|
|
|
|
COMMENT | I will buy it.
posted by :
10/9/2008 10:49:54 AM
|
|
|
|
Only because of its legendary status as one of the most expensive albums ever recorded.
|
|
|
|
|
COMMENT |
posted by :
10/9/2008 10:50:58 AM
|
|
|
|
I have a feeling this album is gonna flop like a beached whale...
|
|
|
|
|
COMMENT |
posted by :
10/9/2008 11:06:54 AM
|
|
|
|
Won't believe it till I see it
|
|
|
|
|
COMMENT | Cover band or whatever...
posted by : faithnomore4ever
10/9/2008 11:10:12 AM
|
|
|
|
Get over it people it's Axl Rose's one man show, so what, so is Megadeth, Annihilator, Death, Prong or Suicidal Tendencies for that matter. I heard 12 of the new GNR tracks and it is a directl follower to the Illusions albums, if you're looking for appetite pt2 go get the Vains of Jenna album instead...
|
|
|
|
|
COMMENT | ok
posted by :
10/9/2008 11:11:51 AM
|
|
|
|
Hey,
What about the rest of us that don't even live close to a Best Buy????
This whole exclusive release crap sucks. I ain't driving 80 miles(round trip) to buy any bands CD.
|
|
|
|
|
COMMENT |
posted by : I Live Again
10/9/2008 11:14:33 AM
|
|
|
|
This is it boys and girls.
CHINESE DEMOCRACY STARTS NOW!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
|
|
|
|
|
COMMENT | Huh?!
posted by : rr00
10/9/2008 11:22:11 AM
|
|
|
|
"This is fucking GUNS & ROSES we are talking about people... Axl, no matter what you think of him, is one of the best songwritters of all time..."
Huh??? One of the best? No fkin way. There is no doubt that he's a talented songwriter, and "Appetite" was one of the best rock albums ever, but he's not even close to being one of the best. Please.
This one is coming out. Yeah, Axl has become the old, eccentric, Howard-Hughes piss-in-a-jar perfectionist curmudgeon, but this one is in the suit's control now. It's out of Axl's hands. I expect this to be the end of the road for GnR, unless it's a huge success.
Too bad that Axl waited forever to release it. I expect that today's economic condition will certainly mitigate potential album sales.
|
|
|
|
|
COMMENT |
posted by : Dee67
10/9/2008 11:29:38 AM
|
|
|
|
Mmmmm Dr. Pepper
|
|
|
|
|
COMMENT |
posted by : rds
10/9/2008 11:32:28 AM
|
|
|
|
DR. THUNDER!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
|
|
|
|
|
COMMENT | HEY faithnomore4ever
posted by :
10/9/2008 11:39:52 AM
|
|
|
|
You said you've heard 12 songs?
What one did you hear that is not on this list?
1.Chinese Democracy
2.The Blues
3.Madagascar
4.Better
5.There Was A Time
6.I.R.S.
7.Catcher In The Rye
8.If The World
9.Song 2 (some know as Leave Me Alone)
10.Rhiad And The Bedouins
11.Shackler's Revenge
|
|
|
|
|
COMMENT | NEVER THOUGHT ID SEE THE DAY
posted by : T-Boner.com
10/9/2008 11:45:55 AM
|
|
|
|
STILL WONT BELIEVE IT TIL IM WALKING OUT OF BEST BUY WITH IT IN MY HANDS...
|
|
|
|
|
COMMENT | sd
posted by :
10/9/2008 11:49:49 AM
|
|
|
|
not holding my breath
|
|
|
|
|
COMMENT | To celebrate
posted by :
10/9/2008 11:55:33 AM
|
|
|
|
I just had a Dr.Pepper...gulp
|
|
|
|
|
COMMENT | makes sense that it will come out now
posted by : You
10/9/2008 11:57:42 AM
|
|
|
|
since GnR has never released an album of semi original material during a democratic administration. It may have been 13 years in making, but it has been 17 years since an original album(s) aka Illusions.
|
|
|
|
|
COMMENT |
posted by : madeinquebec
10/9/2008 12:01:41 PM
|
|
|
|
Not planning on buying or bothering to listen to...
|
|
|
|
|
COMMENT | Best news of all time!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
posted by : RiotAct666
10/9/2008 12:05:54 PM
|
|
|
|
Cannot wait for Chi - Dem.
Axl is god
God!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
|
|
|
|
|
COMMENT |
posted by : pigchop
10/9/2008 12:07:46 PM
|
|
|
|
We burned time through the ages
we burned through a fortune in wages
perfection in dreams, the dead begin to scream
Chinese Democracy now or so it seems.
http://img366.imageshack.us/img366/4308/chidempigchopax1.jpg
|
|
|
|
|
COMMENT | How About a REAL Confirmation
posted by : Jubijuju
10/9/2008 12:26:07 PM
|
|
|
|
If the album is coming, then shouldn't it be everywhere? Shouldn't it be the first thing you see when you go on GunsnRoses.com. Shouldn't it be all over Geffen's website. Shouldn't we have a tracklisting and confirmed album cover? I mean, isn't it about time that the stop being so damn secretive about this on-going debacle?
|
|
|
|
|
COMMENT | I'm buying
posted by :
10/9/2008 12:27:21 PM
|
|
|
|
FINALLY!!!!!!
|
|
|
|
|
COMMENT | gnr
posted by :
10/9/2008 12:39:10 PM
|
|
|
|
ok so this fucking album is comeing out!!!!!!!!!!!!!! y the big fucking deal? im tellin u , axl has gotten so much bullshit press 4 this album not bein released n now with a best buy exclusive deal goin on,, i mean cmon, its either gonna drive up cd saled or thats gonna be the claim y it hasnt sold like it should,, what a fuckin genious asshole axl is,, face people, appetite kicked ass n there wont be another gnr album even with a reunion better than that,, anyway, weve all heard this fucking album b4!!!!!!! much kudos 2 the guy who posted the song list earlier on the page,, yup heard every fuckin 1 of em,, n by the way dr. pepper sux!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
|
|
|
|
|
COMMENT |
posted by : black_art
10/9/2008 12:49:59 PM
|
|
|
|
either way ill buy it. fuck death magnetic :)=
|
|
|
|
|
COMMENT |
posted by :
10/9/2008 12:55:09 PM
|
|
|
|
I dont believe a word of this shit.....
Chinese Democracy will never be released
and black_art.....no, fuck you
|
|
|
|
|
COMMENT | hey desertplains
posted by : ENVISIONED3RDEYE
10/9/2008 1:48:59 PM
|
|
|
|
axl made every1 sign a contract giving axl full control of g-n-r. so every1 got tired of axl posers BS so they left...yes axl poser destroyed guns and posers!!!
|
|
|
|
|
COMMENT | Silkworms
posted by : Jack Bauer
10/9/2008 1:54:06 PM
|
|
|
|
12 would be "Silkworms".
Look, there is no way that will be Chinese Democracy. I believe those 12 songs will be a part of a three CD release that will include another 15 or so songs that we have not heard. If he simply releases those 12 songs, I will be disappointed.
|
|
|
|
|
COMMENT | not gonna buy it
posted by :
10/9/2008 1:54:55 PM
|
|
|
|
I saw Axl's G and R last year when they did their tour but left at 1:30am after the Suicide Girls got boo'd off the stage for the second time covering for Axl's lateness. G and R didn't start playing until nearly 6 hours after the first band got done playing. I think I'll save my money since Axl has no regard for his fans. He doesn't care. Whatta jerk!
|
|
|
|
|
COMMENT | IM so happy!
posted by :
10/9/2008 3:23:49 PM
|
|
|
|
CHINESE DEMOCRACY STARTS NOW!!!!!
Can't wait to buy it, Drink my Dr. Pepper, Go Home, Get Drunk As Fuck, and Rock out to CHINESE DEMOCRACY!
|
|
|
|
|
COMMENT | WOOOO
posted by :
10/9/2008 4:22:12 PM
|
|
|
|
FREE DOCTOR PEPPER FOR EVERYONE
Anyway, unless it is album of the year worthy I won't be buying it.
|
|
|
|
|
COMMENT |
posted by : rds
10/9/2008 4:47:21 PM
|
|
|
|
DR. THUNDER OWNS ...........................................DR. PEPPER
|
|
|
|
|
COMMENT | hey rds
posted by : ENVISIONED3RDEYE
10/9/2008 5:45:28 PM
|
|
|
|
mountain lighting.....................owns................dr thunder!!!!
|
|
|
|
|
COMMENT |
posted by :
10/9/2008 6:28:18 PM
|
|
|
|
From what little I have heard, I think this album might actually be gpod, i'll buy it.
|
|
|
|
|
COMMENT | I don't know if you people remember.
posted by : Melon.
10/9/2008 8:09:51 PM
|
|
|
|
But I, the prophet, once said GOD would descend upon Earth.
The day has come.
AXL= GOD
|
|
|
|
|
COMMENT | WTF RioteSct666
posted by : blabbermeth
10/9/2008 9:24:58 PM
|
|
|
|
In your above comment you didn't say "First day buyer" I am fucking shocked.
|
|
|
|
|
COMMENT | cmon
posted by :
10/9/2008 9:42:09 PM
|
|
|
|
imean really,, wake the fuck up people!!!!!!!! were all gonna buy the fuckin thing cuz we want the real deal, weve heard the whole fuckin thing already tho n thats the reall shame of it all, n theres no way axls puttin out 3 albums 2 cost us the putrid poor public more money when were pissed n not excited as is about it anyways,, hope 2 see it, but who the fuck ever really knos with this guy anymore, get the real fuckin band back 2gether n then call urself gnr, right now, its just a jam session,, amazing how the former members have gone ion 2 contnue their careers n axls the 1 behind,, u tell me the problem!!!!!!!!!!!
|
|
|
|
|
COMMENT | Oh, right Guns and Roses...
posted by :
10/9/2008 10:40:04 PM
|
|
|
|
...is Russell Crowe singing for them now? If not...oh, never mind. I'll buy it anyway because I buy EVrythng that Best Buy distributes. Ah, fuggit.
|
|
|
|
|
COMMENT |
posted by : juanneman
10/10/2008 5:55:18 AM
|
|
|
|
The date is perfect, Thanksgiving, for that we thank you, about time!!!! Hallellujah!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Seriously, let´s see if the album is worthwhile.
|
|
|
|
|
COMMENT | Chinese Democracy
posted by : krek
10/10/2008 9:45:52 AM
|
|
|
|
Chinese's Communist government will sue them.
|
|
|
|
|
COMMENT | Sounds good to me
posted by : peoplehater
10/10/2008 1:53:50 PM
|
|
|
|
I have had the 9 tracks, released by that guy who was arrested for it, since August, all nine sound great! However, I think Axl should have changed the name of the band, maybe to Chinese democracy or just his name.
|
|
|
|
|
COMMENT | Happy
posted by : Raulinc
10/13/2008 11:30:36 PM
|
|
|
|
I can't wait for Chinese Democracy album! It is going to rock! These are happy times not negative ones!
|
|
|
|
|
COMMENT | Review by Stephen Thomas Erlewine
posted by :
1/31/2009 4:36:31 PM
|
|
|
|
Review by Stephen Thomas Erlewine
To put Chinese Democracy in some perspective: it arrives 17 years after the twin Use Your Illusion, the last set of original music by Guns N' Roses. Consider that 17 years prior to the Illusions, it was 1974, back before the Ramones and Sex Pistols, back before Aerosmith had Rocks and Toys in the Attic, back before Queen had A Night at the Opera — back before almost anything that Axl Rose worships even existed. Generations have passed in these 17 years, but not for Axl. He cut himself off from the world following the trouble-ridden Use Your Illusion tour, retreating to the Hollywood Hills, swapping every original GNR member in favor of contract players culled from his mid-'90s musical obsessions — Tommy Stinson from the Replacements, Robin Finck from Nine Inch Nails, Buckethead from guitar magazines — as he turned into rock's Charles Foster Kane, a genius in self-imposed exile spending millions to make his own Xanadu, Chinese Democracy.
Like Xanadu, Chinese Democracy is a monument to man's might, but where Kane sought to bring the world underneath his roof, Axl labored to create an ideal version of his inner world, working endlessly on a set of songs about his heartbreak, persecution, and paranoia, topics well mined on the Illusions. Using the pompous ten-minute epics "Estranged" and "November Rain" as his foundation, Axl strips away all remnants of the old, snake-dancing GNR, shedding the black humor and blues, replacing any good times with vindictive spleen in the vein of "You Could Be Mine." All this melodrama and malevolence feels familiar and, surprisingly, so does much of Chinese Democracy, even for those listeners who didn't hear the portions of the record as leaked demos and live tracks. Despite a few surface flourishes — all the endless, evident hours spent on Pro Tools, a hip-hop loop here, a Spanish six-string there, absurd elastic guitar effects — this is an album unconcerned with the future of rock & roll. One listen and it's abundantly clear that Axl spent the decade-plus in the studio not reinventing but refining, obsessing over a handful of tracks, and spending an inordinate amount of time chasing the sound in his head — that's it, no more, no less.
Such maniacal indulgence is ridiculous but strangely understandable: Rose received unlimited time and money to create this album, so why not take full advantage and obsess over every last detail? The odd thing is, he spent all this time and money on an album that is deliberately not a grand masterpiece — a record that pushes limits or digs deep — but merely a set of 14 songs. Compared to the chaotic Use Your Illusion, Chinese Democracy feels strangely modest, but that's because it's a single polished album, not a double album so overstuffed that it duplicates songs. Modest is an odd word for an album a decade-plus in the making, but Axl's intent is oddly simple: he sees GNR not as a gutter-rock band but as a pomp-rock vehicle for him to lash out against all those who don't trust him, whether it's failed friends, lapsed fans, ex-lovers, former managers, fired bandmates, or rock critics. Chinese Democracy is the best articulation of this megalomania as could be possible, so the only thing to quibble about is his execution, which occasionally is perplexing, particularly when Rose slides into hammy vocal inflections or encourages complicated guitar that only guitarists appreciate (it's telling that the only memorable phrases from Robin Finck, Buckethead, or Bumblefoot or whoever are ones that mimic Slash's full-throated melodic growl). Even with these odd flourishes, it's hard not to marvel, either in respect or bewilderment, at the dense, immaculate wall of god knows how many guitars, synthesizers, vocals, and strings.
The production is so dense that it's hard to warm to, but it fits the music. These aren't songs that grab and hold; they're songs that unfold, so much so that Chinese Democracy may seem a little underwhelming upon its first listen. It's not just the years of pent-up anticipation, it's that Axl spent so much time creating the music — constructing the structure and then filling out the frame — that there's no easy way into the album. That, combined with the realization that Axl isn't trying to reinvent GNR, but just finishing what he started on the Illusions, can make Chinese Democracy seem mildly anticlimactic, but Rose spent a decade-plus working on this — he deserves to not have it dismissed on a cursory listen. Give it time, listening like it was 1998 and not 2008, and the album does give up some terrific music — music that is overblown but not overdone.
True, those good moments are the songs that have kicked around the Internet for the entirety of the new millennium: the slinky, spiteful "Better," slowly building into its fury; the quite gorgeous if heavy-handed "Street of Dreams"; "There Was a Time," which overcomes its acronym and lack of chorus on its sheer drama; "Catcher in the Rye," the lightest, brightest moment here; the slow, grinding "I.R.S."; and "Madagascar," a ludicrous rueful rumination that finds space for quotations from Martin Luther King amidst its trip-hop pulse. These aren't innovations; they're extensions of "Breakdown" and "Estranged," epics that require some work to decode because Axl forces the listener to meet him on his own terms. This all-consuming artistic narcissism has become Rose's defining trait, not letting him move forward, but only to relentlessly explore the same territory over and over again. And this solipsism turns Chinese Democracy into something strangely, surprisingly simple: it won't change music, it won't change any lives, it's just 14 more songs about loneliness and persecution. Or as Axl put it in an apology for canceled concerts in 2006, "In the end, it's just an album." And it's a good album, no less and no more.
|
|
|
|
