This record won't change the world!
This record won't be a future classic like "Appetite for Destruction" and "Use your Illusion I & II".
The mystique is gone since the most hyped record ever is released. Most critics have been harsh, but c'mon! This record has been 14 years in the making. It needs time to grow and most critics already made up their mind after having the record in only 2 days. People already made up their mind without even listening to the album, so "Chinese Democracy" is bound to fail.
The album has been spinning non-stop for 14 days and "Chinese Democracy" is a good record from Axl and his hired guns. Like most things, there are both downsides and upsides. Ultimately it is so good to hear Axl's voice again.
"Chinese Democracy" is a mid-tempo record, which lacks some real rockers like
Out Ta Get Me or
Its so Easy. Contrary the album's weakest songs are the up-tempo rockers
Scraped and
Riad N' Bedouins. The only really strong up-tempo track is the title track. The mellow and lighter tracks are the cornerstones of the album.
14 years since we last heard from
Guns N' Roses so it's obvious that despite lots of members changes (Axl and Dizzy Reed are the only remaining members) that this would be a different record.
Velvet Revolver also made a different record compared to
Guns N' Roses.
The tune that got me hooked immediately was
Better. Buckethead shreds a lot on the album, but a nice warm thick Les Paul sound suits
Guns N' Roses best. Robin Finck is responsible for the outro solo. Finck's style is fewer selected notes instead on a million notes a second. When Axl choose to keep the
Guns N' Roses name you'll always compare to the past. If the original
Guns N' Roses had continued
Street of Dreams easily could have been included on a future album.
Street of Dreams is typical Axl Rose tune written on piano with lots of great guitar pieces to break the song - right up the alley of
Breakdown and
Estranged.
Better and
Street of Dreams kick off a string of mellower mid-tempo tunes.
If the World is a modern ballad with drum loops, synthesizer orchestra and flamenco guitar. Buckethead's great guitar solo breaks the monotone rhythm and you cannot help being dragged to the emotion of this song.
There was a Time is an epic mid tempo ballad, which clocks in 6:40 minutes. The song changes between synth orchestra, piano and excellent guitar pieces. The long outro solo is stunning.
The record looses pace after the many mid-tempo tunes. Both
Cather in the Rye and the power ballad
Sorry are okay tunes, but you certainly expect more from Axl Rose.
Guns N' Roses misses the song writing of Izzy, whose bluesy style certainly would have suited the album,.
The album finish on a high note with the emotional
I.R.S. - Axl has worked with so many guitarists on the album and he has gotten the best outta them, which
I.R.S. is a great example of.
Axl is alone at the piano doing his best take on a
Queen inspired song for
This I Love - a simple but yet beautiful melancholy ballad. Robin Finck once again proves he is best suited for
Guns N' Roses with a great warm solo.
This is not a letdown like Metallica's "St. Anger". Try and abstract a bit from the
Guns N' Roses name and let the record sink.
"Chinese Democracy" is NOT the savoir of Hard Rock but the return of a great band. Bassist Tommy Stinson and Dizzy Reed are the most stabile players on the record. Axl needs a big rock star as opponent in the songwriting, because not everything on "Chinese Democracy" works.
I proudly announce that Axl is back.. FINALLY!
Written by
Michael Monday, December 8, 2008
Show all reviews by MichaelRatingsMichael: 7/10Members: 5.75/10 - Average of 2 ratings.
Member ratings
 | notrap
Rating: 8/10
Repeating Michael:
"This record won't change the world... The mystique is gone"
It's a... · Read more · |
 | Tommy
Rating: 3.5/10
Messy, disconnected, irritating and without aim, soul or purpose. This is not how I want t... · Read more · |
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