Guns N’ Roses - Chinese Democracy
November 21st, 2008 | 6:10 pm est |
To put Chinese Democracy in some perspective: it arrives 17 years after the twin Use Your Illusions, the last set of original music by Guns N’ Roses. Seventeen 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 Illusion tour, retreating to the Hollywood Hills, swapping every original GNR member in favor for 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 that 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 ProTools, 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 refining, not reinventing, obsessing over a handful of tracks, spending an inordinate amount of timing chasing the sound 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 Illusions, Chinese Democracy feels strangely modest, but that’s because it’s a single polished album, not a double album so over-stuffed 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 that don’t trust him, whether it’s failed friends, lapsed fans, ex-lovers, former managers, fired band mates 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 dense, immaculate wall of god knows how many guitars, synthesizers, vocals and strings.
The production is so dense 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 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, 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 not 2008, and the album does give up some terrific music - music that is overblown but not overdone. True, those good moments are the song 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, 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, 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.
Living proof as to why Allmusic.com is the best music review site today. One expects a thoroughly pompous review but it actually makes sense and the comparison between CHINESE DEMOCRACY and XANDAU from CITIZEN KANE is surprisingly effective. In short terms, GNR just simply ain’t GNR without Slahs or Izzy.
Amen
Now that this thing has been released, can we get on with the business of not having to care about what this egomanic does, ever again? That would be nice. Thank you.
A lengthy review, yes, but it at least offers an opinion, unlike Ann Powers at the LA Times, who apparently loves to show off that English degree to anyone with a pulse.
Doesn’t mean I’ll buy it, because if I wanted to see W. Axl Rose masturbate there are specific websites made for just that purpose, but I’m glad someone was able to offer an unequivocal point of view regarding if the CD is any good.
I listened to the album yesterday. What a big disappointment! Of the 14 songs on it, I only found 4 that I liked. And they were all ballads. And if all Axl still knows how to do is ballads, then that’s really sad. I feel so sorry for him. Can’t believe it took 14 years, and when it’s finally unleashed upon the world, it’s a big blow.
A review of the reviews: I haven’t heard this music yet, so I am commenting on the reviews. All of the reviews I’ve read so far condemn the recording while simultaneously making it sound like compelling listening. Even as reviewers dump mounds of hubris on the project, they build it up in their descriptions of the details that compose it. I’m willing to wager that this is going to be one of those lps that is recognized as a classic 15 years from now, while crashing into the critical wall upon it’s release. This was the case with Fleetwood Mac’s Tusk, Dennis Wilson’s Pacific Ocean Blue and most of Led Zepplin’s catalogue.
Then again I’d best listen to the music and judge for myself. like I said a review of the reviews.
Estranged was always my favorite song from the Illusions. I eagerly await this album. Thanks Thomas. I`m a regular reader of ALLMUSIC and I always find your reviews enjoyable and accurate.
I’m listening to the album at GNR’s myspace site, this is just a good album, it is not going to redefine music, it is not a new Sargent Pepper’s, but that’s ok, because that’s not what I was expecting. I was just waiting to listen to Axl again after so many years. I was just waiting for an excuse to get together with my now old pals from high school to talk about the music that we love. Sadly the original GNR and even the Illusion’s GNR are gone, and will never come back. But that’s ok, life goes on, so does Axl.
The album is a bunch of sketches. Songs half-finished but covered up by wall-to-wall production that leaves no human ear frequency range unmolested. People can slag off Slash’s Snakepit and Velvet Revolver all they want but the point is, at least those bands got on with it and kept releasing solid if unremarkable hard rock albums (with the possible exception of Slither which is a gold standard track).
All the promotion I see for the album paraphrases as ‘it’s taken this long, it must be amazing!’. Not so. It’s not terrible and it certainly beats listening to the current bland over-produced souless contemporary hyperpop that washes over you and leaves little aftertaste, but even in this mostly mediocre musical climate I’d be hard-pressed to call that any kind of achievement. I’m no musical genius but given half the budget and a quarter of the time spent on this ONE record I could have created five records superior to it, and I wouldn’t have had to change personnel every few months because I’m not the epic asshole that Mr Rose is.
Call it sour grapes on my part, but this album isn’t a crushing disappointment or a polished jewel. It’s… okay, and it’ll fill the time between the next record released by another hard rock survivor that chooses to grace us with a well-produced but mostly forgettable and/or regrettable album.
Like Tommy Lee said a few years ago, where are the new generation of rock stars? Are we in such a drought that we have to deal with the old guard hamming it up and reliving former glories in ever-decreasing circles because there’s nothing else? I would have to say yes. And that’s upsetting because rock can still be an invigorating and life-affirming genre.
Never mind the album - where the “wow gold” at, trick?
Is this the actual review that will be added to the allmusic.com page, or is it a separate one? Because it is one of the best reviews I have read yet of this album, not so much because it is positive, but because it digs so deep into the album and examines the mechanisms and the fabric of the work of art in question. Please let this be the actual review :D
The NEW rock stars are being slaughtered by the HATERS while still in the womb. Nobody likes nothing anymore.
A sad Clown plays russian roulette with a frisbee-knife.
Great review of an album that fascinates me, although not enough to actually purchase it. GNR lost me years ago.
But reading this did make me get out my copy of ‘Appetite’ and listen to ‘Nightrain’ a marvel at some pristine rock music.
How the mighty fall…
This seems less of an observation on the final product than it does on Axl himself. I think there’s something of a mirror to behold here, especially when society seems to freely judge the guy’s work based on the amount of time it’s taken to come to fruition; while “critics” and whomever find it “manical”, “self-indulgent”, “narcissitic”, etc., the really delusional ones are those who believe Axl has held up in some studio for the last 17 years, like Bob Cratchet holed up in Scrooge’s office on Christmas eve, slaving over 14 songs. Please… Yes, it’s noteworthy to say it’s taken a long time, but to think the guy did absolutely nothing but is to create some mythical fairy-tale. For all we know, he’s watched every episode of South Park repeatedly in between sessions. Whereas nobody will blink an eye when Alice in Chains releases their first album of new material since 1995, and understandable so with the death of Layne Stanley, why wouldn’t the same people think perhaps other things happened to Axl during this time as well? Fights with Tommy Hilfiger. World Tours. Guest vocals on Bach’s album. At the end fo the day, it’s just music, nothing more, nothing less. Reading a journalist “report” this is probably the worst case of journalism to behold, because the ultimate questions are: Does it rock? Yes. Does it roll? Yes. Does it do everything in between? You bet.
Although I agree with the premise of this review - that Chinese Democracy is a very good album without being a masterpiece - it also confirms my suspicion that music criticism is incapable of dealing adequately with the long careers that some musicians are fortunate enough to enjoy. Music criticism is obsessed with the ‘new’ to a point which blinds it from understanding the value of looking backwards; and by ‘new’, I mean new personnel - ‘the hottest new thing’ - not new sounds or new kinds of music. A musician with longevity thus falls victim to to kinds of criticism: they are either attacked for constantly reworking the same material (Oasis, Rolling Stones etc.), or criticised for ‘losing the plot’, or ‘betraying their roots’ by trying something new and different (Radiohead). It’s no coincidence that those artists with the highest critical reputations - Lennon, Cobain, Hendrix - are those who died before they had to confront this problem.
In this review, Erlewine attacks Rose for simultenously doing what he has always done, AND for betraying everything GNR used to stand for - a confused position which underlies his Erlewine’s uncertainty about how to deal with a long career and an unaccountable hiatus. He is only able to understand this in terms of Rose’s self-obsession - as if that’s the only reason that something could take a long time. Chinese Democracy is not a revolutionary record. But it is trying to condense a lifetime’s musical influences into a single disk, and the consequences of that are far more interesting and daring than Erlewine is able to admit. The album is like a role call of recent music history and genres: Zeppelin, Queen, Beatles (in the Spector wal-of sound sense), Nine Inch Nails, hip-hop, Pink Floyd, and, of course, GNR themselves. The results, naturally, are mixed. But its not enough either to imply that Rose hase betrayed his own legacy, or to suggest that this record is essentally Use Yout Illusion III - both of which refuse to acknowledge the thought and depth that motivates this album. Its ambition is both its cause and its weakness; it’s just a pity that so many critics have overlooked the music itself to concentrate on the silence which preceded it.
Excellent review there. I sense a 4 stars rating.
its better than VR and the new Metallica
Excellent review. I particularly agree with the UYI comparisons. This is a very solid and addictive album in my view. In an ideal world it would have been released as an Axl Rose solo album.
Good article. But I should point out that Axl and GN’R did not spend the past 10+ years and “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.”
Axl and the band recorded three albums worth of music, one to be released every other year.
The most dissapointing fact regarding the new Guns’n'Roses album is the unfair critisism that has started long before its release and created a negative aura that has influenced the opinion and judgement of many fans.It’s true that 17 years is a long time to release new material.Axl Rose,after the Use Your Illusion tour doesnt gain the same appreciation from many old Guns’n'Roses fans,and surely he’s not at the peak of his reputation.
But trying to be objective in judging this album,I can’t avoid to exclude opinions based on hatred,prejudition,and absence of open mind in listening to the music. If I should listen to this album as a white label,without knowledge of who does it come from,I would identify many of the elements that rock’n'roll music lacks today.Beside that I can sense a very satisfying feeling of freshnesh in some tracks (Better,If The World).The production is awesome.The complexity of the record is something I consider as another positive clue.After all rock music is about the guitar and the offensive,direct verses, and this record aims high on both!
I must admit that its not as raw as the older albums,it’s not so cathy and innovative with the guitar riffs and the vocal melodies.Basicly,its not the kind of album that you get into it with the first listen.
One of the greatest vocalists in Rock history turned back after a long long time and this is at least promising… Welcome back Guns’n'Roses!We missed you!
No matter what Axl produced it was going to be held up to some pretty shrewd criticism. I was not old enough to appreciate G n R on the first go ’round. I have since listened through most of the catalogue and have to say it is true that this new entry fits mostly right alongside the rest. Nothing gigantic in terms of innovation but were we really expecting the next “the wall” from this overblown party buff?
The only reason he’s been elevated to the status he’s at now is because of his antisocial phase 2 rock star behaviour. Although I get the feeling people are more upset that the album doesn’t take huge risks and tank on them. Like we were expecting the thing to have an 8 minute fingersnap solo or some other bizarre musical tangent so we could call him a drug addled burnout.
I do agree though. Now that it’s finally been released and is pretty underwhelming, we can just get over it and talk about something else.
Excellent and objective review. I listened to the album three times and tried to like it but, personally, it doesn’t cut it. I am an old-time GN’R fan but I’m afraid this shouldn’t be called GN’R and it’s not only because all the members but Axl are gone, where’s the sleaziness, the rawness, the danger? ‘CD’ is way overproduced and messy - electronic beats, hip-hop but unfortunately, doesn’t work. Even Axl’s voice sounds way too pro-tooled. I am sorry but any of the two Velvet Revolver albums or even Sebastian Bach’s album are way better (the tracks with Axl are awesome).
And for those comparing it with ‘Death Magnetic’, you have no idea what are you talking about, first of all, Metallica and GN’R (the old one) always sounded completely different and secondly, DM rocks! it is cohesive and it doesn’t sound like Elton John on crack.
Axl Rose is a complete compulsive obsessive. Yes he is. His mind get fixed with all the fame the name GNR meant for millions. He “was” part of one of the really good bands of the final 80´s and early 90´s. Now, Rose “is” part of a legendary trade mark, GNR is part of the history of hard rock, and he don´t want to loose it. I agree that 17 years in making an album is a way to long, but what can you expect from a guy who has an ego as huge as the empire state. Chinese Democracy is the best example that time doesn´t matter when you´re obsessed, for us is way too long, maybe for him just a little time doing “what has to be done”.
Not incredible, not bad, this album is well done, very well done I have to say, It has a compilation of songs made with the absolute intention to sound perfect. Maybe it don´t have guts, maybe in the progress it lost his soul, but in the end is “Hi Tech Rock ´n Roll”, no more, no less. Listen and judge it.
S.T.E. for president.
I havent heard the album….I’ll give it a chance before saying a thing.
One thing is for sure, Axl might be whatever you want but he didnt soldout himself like Cornell working with TImbaland
Chinese democracy is a great cd Axl put so much feeling in it but the guitar solos didn’t have that feeling slash is the only one that can capture that awesome quantities of feelings, chinese democracy is a good cd better than the major part of todays music but when you hear it, you miss slash.
alice in chains did not ANNOUNCE the release date for an album 8 years ago. they havent been touring the same album title for nearly a decade.
the worst kind of axl defenders are the ones who pretend its not unusual for axl to spend so much time and replacing bandmembers so on. some of you act like its just like any other band taking time between albums and replacing band members. obviously its not.
listened to the entire album on the myspace page, which based on the play counts for each song, is an achievement in and of itself. axl should have called this album “wall of brown”, because that’s what you get when you mix all the colors of the rainbow in equal amount…dirty, muddy brown. someone needs to tell axl there’s no reason to scream and caterwall when you don’t have someone like slash playing guitar behind you. “chinese democracy” is overproduced, overtinkered, over pro-tooled, over-overdubbed, over loopified, and overhyped. none of the melodies go w/ any of the background or any of the lyrics or any of the playing styles. this is an assembly line album if i ever heard one. axl took all these various and random sounds and licks and parts of songs, arranged them on pro-tools, and then played them sequentially. i’m sure that’s really why it took 13 years to make…it’s like mixing up 14 boxes of jigsaw puzzles of all one color pieces and then trying to put them all together somehow. it’s a mess, it cannot be done. there’s no shades of anything on “chinese democracy”…it’s all blended at the same dynamic range and volume, layer upon layer upon layer. axl is not a song writer. he is a singer, a lyricist, maybe an arranger, maybe an idea man, but that’s the end of story. he cannot write a song all by himself. the only “song” he truly deserved sole credits on before was “my world” on “use your illusion ii”. enough said? this is further and definitive proof…”chinese democracy” all started w/ “my world”.
First rate review. Before the internet, I used to read SELECT magazine (U.K.) mostly because they would call out most garbage as just that, unafraid of what they mainstream would say about it (that never happens does it Rolling Stone ?). When SELECT dumped, the internet surged, my prayers were answered. Allmusic continues to set the standard.
The thing that annoys me most is everyone says “OMG it’s taken him 17 years to make!”. No. No, it didn’t. The Illusions tour ran until like mid 93, then they recorded “Spaghetti”, then they toured a little. Then they went on hiatus, and Slash and stuff made Snakepit, then the band imploded. By the time Axl had a full band again it was ‘97. So, at the most, it took 10 years to make. Not 17. Oh, by the way, during that 10 years, they youred, they lost members and gained new ones, so they wanted to re-record some parts (which is completely understandable), and it’s not like he worked on it every day in that 10 years. I expect there was quite a bit of downtime, during writing and what-not.
Aside from that, it’s a solid album.
Brilliant album.
I’ve listened to the album countless amount of times. Always finding something new. A new layer to peel back every time. Good review, but a better one probably could’ve been made if the reviewer listened to it a few more times.
Yup, nothing new from me, just wanted to say this is the most effective review of an album that seemed impossible to review. Thanks so much for this site, I use it all the time especially when I buy.
And - well - looks like I’ll be buying the new Guns N Roses album. HEard it all on myspace and was shocked at how much of it I really enjoyed. Didn’t think Axl could do it on his own, even with seventeen years and a trillion dollars. I must be who he’s talking about in ‘Sorry.’
Oh snap! My spam protector question is 15+2 Omen! To the Best Buy!
Given the amount of time Axl has taken to produce this album, it seems appropriately titled–waiting for something that’s never going to arrive, or at least not within most of our lifetimes. I never was a G ‘n’ R fan, and given Axl’s antics during the active life of the UYI albums, I have no wish to be one, as to watch such utterly reprehensible behaviour on such a public level would make any fan cringe. That’s not to say he’s any worse than the Britneys of the world, with their ever-changing BFFs, multiple pregnancies and C-sections, public drunk and disorderly arrests, divorces, etc. He’s not. But had I ever been a fan, I think I could be excused for stepping aside at this late and saying sorry, no thanks.
In any case, no thanks, Axl. Your 15 minutes ended at least 10 years ago.
Another fact about this album that no one seems to know or remember is how “Chinese Democracy” was at one time going to be a three disc set. Axl has not been slaving over these 14 songs alone. He has been writing and obsessing over a lot of songs. It probably took a lot of obsessing to decide what songs should make the final cut. Yeah, I would have liked to have gotten a new GNR album back in ‘96 or so with Slash, Duff, Matt, and Izzy, or at least Gilby. I didn’t, so life goes on. I loved Velvet Revolver. I also like “Chinese Democracy” I’ll let Axl Rose live his life and I’ll live mine. When he is ready to put out new music, I’ll listen and judge for myself.
This compilation of overproduced old songs makes ‘St. Anger’ look like a masterpiece.
Enough said.
Erlewine, you’re a sheep. Who paid you to write this review? This whole thing is tripe and you know it. You can’t possibly convince me with all the boring records that you have to listen to as part of your job that *this* would be one of your choices for a good album to put on. Fess up and stop insulting us.
Keef Rob, I understand your skepticism but to be totally honest, I have put portions of Chinese Democracy on after completing the review — in particular, Street of Dreams, along with Better.
And while you might be onto something about boring records being part of the job, it’s true that Chinese Democracy, no matter what you might think of it, is not boring.
Trainwreck
17 years, 13 million and who knows how many musicians and producers later…and this the disappointing result. I’m sorry, but in my opinion the album is terrible. I am a GN’R fan and after giving Chinese Democracy a few listens, it’s kinda what I expected - overproduced songs that leaked ages ago and have been listened for the last decade. I was hoping the final cut would be better or had a few surprises.
The main problem is that Axl tries too hard to make a masterpiece that it completely loses focus. A guitar-driven band experimenting with electronic sounds and beats is not a bad thing (Ok Computer anyone?) when done correctly. Unfortunately, it doesn’t work at all in CD. The lyrics are poor, it sounds completely outdated. Putting aside the fact that no other original GN’R members take part, it doesn’t sound like a band’s work, it’s not cohesive and extremely boring. Axl: please stop trying to be Elton John or Trent Reznor and make some decent Rock n’ Roll.
I just hope Dr. Dre doesn’t make the same mistake with Detox: seeking perfection and ending with an overproduced and unlistenable album. CD shouldn’t be released at all.
Meh
Okay, let’s pretend for a second that you don’t know this album took 14+ years to make, let’s pretend the band is not named GN’R, and just listen to the music. Is it a good album? I’m afraid not, does it have it moments? a couple , I’d say ‘Better’ and probably the title track. The main problem is that it doesn’t feel honest, it’s not cohesive, it is…too polished, overproduced.
Now, if you remember that sleazy, punk, bluesy, reckless BAND from the late 80s-90s GN’R, you will agree that the only thing that shares is the name, not even the singer is the same (you know what I mean).
I’m afraid I disagree with Mr. Erlewine giving this album 4 starts, of course, everyone is entitled to their opinion but I believe I’ve listened to enough rock and roll in my life to be able to tell if an album is good or bad (CD being the latter). GN’R, or should I say Axl and co. has lost a fan, and you can have my can of Dr. Pepper.
LOL…I can’t believe someone would call this album “unlistenable” when I’ve listened to it probably close to 100 times within the past 3 years. This album is incredible. People can’t just listen to the music anymore. It’s background for them. Obviously that’s how it is when they say it’s boring. So many layers.
Who cares how the man acted….It’s great music.
Excellent review, Mr. Erlewine, as always. I liked your comparison of the amount of years passed since the Illusions to the previous amount of years before they were released. Really shows how much time has passed, and making me feel a bit old too…
Great review, but this is not GNR. There is no GNR without Slash. His guitar work and Axl’s vocals are what made GNR.
Chinese Democracy is the ‘Star Wars: Episode 1′ of rock. Axl: please don’t make Episodes II and III.
I just have to get this off my chest, This is Guns N’ Roses in name only, There is no true GNR without Slash and Duff and Izzy. The album is what it is, Axl’s vision with the GNR moniker. I would like to imagine what this album would have sounded like with the songwriting of Izzy and the guitar of Slash, well never know. As a GNR album it doesnt do it, there are no straight forward rock songs on it. There are some good guitar licks and solos, but there is to much surrounding them to manty digital enhancements to be a GNR album. If this was a Axl album I would be impressed that he had this vision and applaude it. But to use the GNR name on it puts to high of expectations that it falls far below.
Since it was put up on myspace I gave it a listen. I was hoping to be surprised that it would actually be very good.
After 71 minutes I was left with no musical memory of the album.
Nothing, nada, zilch. Was it unlistenable? No. It was just unmemorable. Maybe it would take repeated listens but in my estimation I don’t think it would be worth the time. There’s too much other music out there to get acquainted with.
When does the free dr. pepper deal start?
Is it too late?
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xKlMl4II3_0
This is very entertaining to read all the old GNR fans spew their hate to what in reality, is a masterpiece of fine art. So what, you don’t get it like real musicians or true lovers of music do. Axl dumped Slash cause he can’t play anymore. That’s a fact jack. Calling this record boring, unmemorable, and comparing to other music available you’d rather hear shows me and the world that you know nothing about quality music. This record is Star Wars coming through the speakers. Sit down and drink it in the emotions. From the lyrics to the music to the insanely amazing production. Each song is like a new chapter in Chinese Democracy. You won’t get it in the first listen, how could you? The peeps that made this record spent years on it! Fine tuning it to make something new and different. Do you really think you can hear it once and dismiss it? if you do, go listen to some disposable music like you’re used to and leave the great music to the people that still have souls. Chinese Democracy is an instant classic. Nothing more nothing less. Go cry about the money, time it took to make and your precious Slash regarding this record. In reality, IT IS A MASTERPIECE OF ART.
Sigh, I thoroughly enjoy AMG and most of the critics on the site. But, I have never read a review with such blatant bias and personal contempt. Clearly, STE does not like Axl Rose (to put it lightly). Words and phrases like “megalomania,” “narcissism,” “maniacal indulgence,” and describing Magadagascar as ludicrous (amidst a number of other opinions of the writer) should have set off flags to the AMG Editors that another writer with a less biased view might be necessary.
Good review. Though a bit forgiving, in my opinion. My own similar thoughts on this album are covered in this podcast:
http://ampersand.podbean.com
I have been a fan of GNR since Sweet Child O’Mine hit the charts in the summer of 1988. From that time I’ve followed the band’s hits and misses, tours and tantrums, and most of all, the music. Let’s face it, the band’s line-up changes have always been an issue, just ask Tracii Guns. But through it all, the music has held up, even up to and including The Spaghetti Incident? As each new track came along over the years afterwards, I embraced it, and hoped for more. Finally, I have the more; Chinese Democracy. Am I disapointed? Maybe a little upon the first couple of listens, but like its been said, with each listen I hear more and more. It is a group effort, and I’m glad that Axl released the CD under the band name, and not as a solo record. The two key tracks for me are Shackler’s Revenge and There was a Time. I think once all the dust has settled, people will realize what a good record this really is. GNR’s sound has evolved, and I’m liking it. The AMG review was honest, heartfelt and unbiased. Some fans are living too far in the past when they want the band to sound like they did back in ‘91. There were many throwaway tracks on both of the Illusions, and at least with Chinese Democracy, there are no filler tracks; every one of the 14 songs hold up on their own, and they get better with every listen. Hats off to the AMG and Axl!
Hooooollllld on guys. I’m growing uncomfortable with the number of people dumping on Erlewine. For the time being, dude is still just another name I see on AMG. He’s not a persona like Lester Bangs or Chuck Klosterman. That lack of persona is exactly what I love and think is crucial about AMG as a whole.
We can disagree on G’n'R’s music (can you believe all those apostrophes are legal?), but one thing that is indisputable is Axl Rose has a larger than average ego. If a man spends seventeen years on seventy minutes of self-expression, his ego must be light years (keeping with Star Wars theme) beyond your average person.
This is not a “biased” review inasmuch as STE seems to be neither a Guns sycophant nor an Axl basher. He simply stated an honest appraisal of the album and placed it in proper context. His comments are up to traditional AMG snuff (unfailingly superior).
So mediocre and annoying that I’d rather listen to Kanye West.
That says it all.
best album I have heard in years, give it a chance, like any other album it takes a few listens to get into but it is truly a solid work of art. Ignore the hype and all the idiot nay-sayers and what you’ve got is a great work of art, better than any of the garbage we have been fed over the last 15 years…
Thanks for the review. I think I’ll give it a try and then we’ll see.
that review was written like it was axl’s mother or brother trying to make excuses to an obsessed fan as to why the album is not particularly good. who would honestly expect axl f-ing rose to change music in the first place. once LA jug-head trash always LA jug-head trash. welcome to the jungle indeed.
I’ve been listening to the album for a few weeks now, having got it just after Xmas…and it’s terrific.
First off, the sound on this album is incredible when compared to most modern recordings…the dynamic range is left uncompressed, unlike other rock cds that comes down the pipeline, for example the last White Stripes, or Stadium Arcadium by the RHCP. Mastered by Bob Ludwig, this album delivers sonic bliss….you can crank it up loud on a good stereo and it doesn’t sound distorted. You can also use headphones and enjoy the great studio production that went into it.
Song wise it’s an eclectic mix, but the flow of the album works well, and like the reviewer said…you are drawn into it the more you listen to it..which shows a depth not seen enough these days in rock.
Sure the album might not “grab” you right away, and it doesn’t sound like a bunch of 20 year olds rocking out… but those complaints are silly because it’s not 1987, and good music doesn’t always seduce you on first listen. Often music that does hit you right away offers nothing on the 20th listen, where as music this deep keeps unfolding, rewarding the listener for the persistance.