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129 of 149 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars
Theatrical, self-absorbed, impressive: Axl Rose as Klaus Kinski, November 25, 2008
You can argue that Chinese Democracy isn't as good as Appetite For Destruction. But if you compare it to contemporary mainstream hard rock, it blows away the competition. Maybe it wasn't a bad idea to wait until 2008 to release it. At this point, there's not even that much competition: hair metal is long gone, grunge has either gone under or degenerated beyond the point of no return. When was the last time you heard a mainstream rock band that could play guitar well enough to write a solo that actually sounded enjoyable?
The best thing about the music is how powerful it sounds -- not really "heavy," but full and invigorating. Axl's kitchen-sink approach actually benefits from the extremely loud mixing style of the 2000s. Every song, even among the less interesting ones, has at least one part that sounds satisfying. Rose's voice is in excellent shape. In the best moments, you can't even figure out the words, but it's a rush to hear the dude demonstrate his lung capacity. And even though Axl's vocal style isn't big on nuance and subtlety, he does a lot of different things within that style -- inhuman falsettos throughout the album ("If The World" and "IRS," for example), low growling on "Shackler's Revenge," a hoarse, swaggering drawl on the title track, and occasionally all of the above ("Better"). Many of the memorable moments are derived from Axl's vocal parts.
As you might expect from an album that took 17 years to record, the music contains a lot of detail. Many songs begin in an unconventional way, like "If The World," which opens with a gentle Spanish guitar, then submerges it in grandiose strings, and then drowns out those with a terrific guitar solo halfway through. There are many guitar solos, and they all sound good, though not quite like what you'd expect from Guns N' Roses. The solo in "If The World" has a melodic tone that sounds more like David Gilmour than Slash. "Sorry" also recalls Pink Floyd with a combination of watery keyboards and acoustic guitars, while Rose's vocal channels Layne Staley, of all people -- seriously, just listen to his tone in the verses. Come to think of it, the slow grind of the guitars in the chorus is like a more tuneful Alice In Chains.
I guess Chinese Democracy resembles a classic rock album with contemporary production. Not a "progressive" album (there are no ten-minute epics, like on Use Your Illusion), but a good old-fashioned song-oriented album, perhaps similar to what the Manic Street Preachers (themselves inspired by Rose) were doing in the nineties. There's a lot of bombast, like the choir in the beginning and end of "There Was A Time," the sampled speech in "Madagascar," and the general wall-of-sound production style. But honestly, that's kind of refreshing right now. In the nineties, Guns N' Roses looked overblown and ridiculous compared to grunge, which seemed more "authentic" somehow. But from today's point of view, alternative rock is just as inauthentic, full of affected angst and irony. It's a welcome change to hear an openly theatrical style.
The lyrics aren't anything special. Long seclusion didn't make Rose any more eloquent. At the same time, whatever he's singing about, he's pretty serious -- grandiose, self-absorbed, theatrical, maybe a bit silly, but full of a certain honest conviction. All the songs vaguely brood over betrayal and defiance. The title of "Prostitute" makes it sound like a typical hedonistic rock song, but even that word is being used metaphorically, which I suppose goes to show that Axl was always more interesting and ambitious than his hair-metal peers. It's all pretty inarticulate, and I am not really moved to analyze the song meanings, but the overall tone does hold one's attention.
What else? "Better" is a fine single, with a harsh guitar riff and a vicious shouting hook in the chorus, as well as a very weird falsetto chant in the intro. As for the slower songs, I'm not big on "Street Of Dreams," but "This I Love" is a good sad ballad, where Axl even manages some convincing desperation. A few songs could have probably been safely cut -- "There Was A Time" and "Catcher In The Rye" don't have any standout moments aside from the solos. And a few times I found myself wishing that he'd explore some of his odder ideas, like that guitar in the beginning of "If This World" or the samples that open the title track. But, as I said, this is a classicist album at heart.
If you were waiting for another Appetite For Destruction, this isn't it, and by the way, stop waiting -- that was an album written by hungry young men, and even if the original lineup got back together, they'd never be able to write anything like it now. This album won't start any new trends, and it may have arrived too late for anyone to care. But it is a very good hard rock record. It sounds out of time in 2008, but in a way, that's one of its strong points.
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79 of 106 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars
The Wait IS FINALLY over!!!, November 23, 2008
Being a Guns N Roses fan since I was 11 years old, you would think I would have set really high expectations for a band I have known and liked most of my life, especially with a long awaited album such as Chinese Democracy. This is true to some extent, but read on and you can find out the rest of my review.
First of all, this is NO Use Your Illusion I, Use Your Illusion II and DEFINATELY no Appetite for Destruction. This is Chinese Democracy, an album that deserves to stand on its own. I have recently read posts in various discussions in various forums here on Amazon comparing the two (or three). The making of Chinese Democracy dates back to 1994. Since then countless of lineup changes,have plauged the group. One noteworthy change was the addition of shred guitarist, Buckethead, who helped compose most of the songs off here. But rather than ramble on about the history, I will just leave it at that for now.
Once you get past the fact that this no vintage lineup of the good ol' GNR AND how it has taken them 13+ years to release the album you begin to understand the direction Axl Rose has taken HIS band, Guns N Roses.
The opening track, Chinese Democracy is one of my favorites. It is also one of the heaviest. From the fade in opening shriek of Axl to the fade out of wind blowing, this song has many attributes to a great hard rock/heavy metal song in general. Excellent rhythm section by each guitarist. Great song. 5/5
Shackler's Revenge, the next track, is actually the first of the tracks officially released. It is also my least favorite. As many may know, this song was first released for the Rock Band 2 video game. The opening riff sounds like the opening riff to Mudvayne's "Dig", you may recognize this riff as it sounds nearly identical. This is also the most sounding industrial like track off the album, with much sampling going on, much like their last released track Oh My God. Solo is disappointing. This song is ok. 3/5
Better, the next track is the first unofficial release from the band. This is among my favorite tracks also. This song got a lot of radio airplay, so I won't spend much time on it. Excellent soloing by the guitarists Finck and Buckethead. Regardless, a catchy tune I continue to have in my head and sing along to from time to time, since last year. 5/5
Street of Dreams. If any of you have listened to its demos that were leaked years prior, and/or attended any of their shows during the making of the album, may remember this track as being titled "The Blues". Nice jam here. Definately worthy of being a single in the near future. Great track, and something that sounds like it could easily fit onto the Illusion albums. 5/5
If the World. This a great track. A short clip of this song is found at the end credits of the Crowe/Dicaprio film 'Body of Lies'. It's got it all, guitars, bass, drums, samplings, keyboards/piano, strings...I do, enjoy the acoustic and 12 string guitar work. Good song. 4/5
There was a Time: Axls vocal melodies are definately intact here. Another track with orchestral arrangements in the background. I really love the guitar solos here, courtesy of Buckethead, Finck, Bumblefoot, and Axl. Yes, I said Axl. He plays guitar on here. This is the track that is currently tied for my favorite along with Better. 5/5
Catcher in the Rye. This song is ok. May take some time to grow on me. Solo a little disappointing. At least there is more song on this released version. One of two tracks that don't feature Buckethead on guitar. 3/5
Scraped. Axls opening "Ahh's" on this song sound like something you would hear on an R&B record. Slightly amusing, to me. Lyrically, it seems to me a play on fans and labels about the making of the album. Just my interpetation. As for the music, nothing really phenominal, as in prior songs. 3/5
Riad n' The Bedouins. For those of you unfamilar with the words, a Riad is a Moroccan house with an interior garden and the Bedouins are an Arab nomadic tribe. I currently have a few demo/live versions of this song. This version released beats those hands down. 4/5
Sorry. A doom metal-like song fronted by Axl's clean vocals. ex Skid Row vocalist Sebastian Bach had that to say, and I agree. He even guest vocals the track, but you have to listen carefully for his contributions. Great song. 4/5
I.R.S. This song is about a girl. I really like the lyrics to this one. Musically a little mediocre. yet, Finck and Bumblefoot do bring the song out here. another gem. 4/5
Madagascar. This track is pretty different from those live version as well as the demo. There are more instruments added here, making the track a little longer as well. But for those like me who have those other versions, the same elements are found in the middle of the track, including the infamous "What we Have Here Is...." Such an emotional song, I won't grow tired of this track. Excellent track, especially with those orchestral arrangements. 5/5
This I Love, is the ballad of the album. Another track about a girl which contains more orchestral arrangements and Axl on piano. The other of the two tracks recorded after Buckethead left the band. A nice, yet a little rough, guitar solo by Bumblefoot is featured here, in addition to the piano. I wouldn't be surprised if this was also a single next year. 4/5
Finally we have Prostitute. Another slower song, but with more guitar than the previous track. It is also one of the other tracks over 6 minutes in length. A song about a prostitute? It very well may be, as he seems to be referencing a woman. The guitar solo really fits here and goes well with the other strings too. The fade out of the orchestra playing makes for a nice ending not only to the song, but for the album. Though it may not be a perfect ending to an album, it is nice. 4.5/5
So there you have it. Now you get an idea as to what you are in for. Basically if you are a fan of the Use Your Illusion albums, particually song such as November Rain, Estranged and Don't Cry, you may like this album. Of course it's got the heavier tracks, those fans of Double Talkin Jive and Dead Horse. But don't expect A LOT off those albums, only a taste. Like mentioned up above, this album stands on its own. There's really no choir like there was off those albums either, except for "There was a Time", and yes more orchestra, definately. It really is an interesting album, whether you are a Guns fan or not. An entire new lineup than when Guns first hit the scene, but doesn't mean it is bad. Sometimes change is a good thing, and who would know better than Axl Rose!
I found it interesting how there are three pages of credits in the album sleeve for the album itself and for the band, followed by each of the band members. I hope you got everybody Axl. Even us fans too. Yet I found it confusing trying to figure out who is on guitar in each of the songs. An average of three guitarists are credited per song. Especially since Buckehead's parts remain on a majority of the tracks. This is something I will have to look into.
Axl Rose solo project?? Yes! But it's still labeled Guns N Roses and it's still good, worth listening to.
I thank you for taking the time to read though my entire review. Longest one yet! I appreciate it. And for those who find it "unhelpful" because of it's length...to each their own, I say. And why Best Buy as the primary souce for the album. One Word: Marketing. Followed by three words: I Don't Know.
Overall: 4.3/5
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3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
A CLASSIC!, July 31, 2009
I must admit that I'm not a huge fan of Rock music. I generally listen to Hip Hop and Dance, but of course, there's an exception to every rule. In my case, Guns 'N' Roses is the exception. It's true that aside from Axl Rose, none of the members are from the original band, but nonetheless, Chinese Democracy still feels and sounds like a Guns 'N' Roses album... at least to me it does. Now, unless you are someone who still lives in the past, you shouldn't expect this album to feel and sound exactly like Appetite for Destruction or Use Your Illusion. That, I think would be pretty silly and there's no need for me to elaborate. But at the same time, Chinese Democracy is not drastically different from previous Guns 'N' Roses albums either.
Safe to say, I've been listening to Chinese Democracy since it was released in late 2008 and personally, I would rank this album as one of my favorites of all time. The guitar riffs, the bass lines, the drums, the energy, the melodies, Axl's explosive vocals... what can I say? I absolutely love it. The production is top notch, the tracks are excellently mixed, everything is well arranged and there's enough variety to keep the listener interested. Songs such as Better, If the World, Catcher In The Rye, Sorry, and This I love are simply astounding. The tracks vary in terms of tempo and mood, but blend in nicely. However, to be fair, I don't think you will find a track in here that could replicate the commercial success of Paradise City or Welcome to the Jungle. What you will find, though, is a superb set of well executed and authentic Rock songs.
Some people may have doubts about Axl Rose's singing abilities, wondering if he's 'still go it.' As far as I can tell, Axl's vocals actually sound better than ever. Axl and his 'new' band have been touring and performing shows all over the world in the past few years, so it's not like he's been inactive since 1993. If you still have your doubts, listen to the song "Scraped," where Axl displays an amazing range of vocals. Actually, if you listen to the whole album attentively, you'll notice his vocals sound a bit different on every track, which shows you his versatility as a singer. If you still have your doubts, go to a recording studio, record your own vocals into a track, play it back to your friends, and then compare the difference.
It's easy to criticize other people's talents and the work they create. I suppose that's why so many people do it; it's just a very mindless, easy thing to do. Take all the 'one-star' reviewers on this page as an example. These supposed 'fans' put the most minimal effort in writing a review that expresses their dissatisfaction of this multi-platinum selling album. They try to persuade readers to believe that Chinese Democracy, as one reviewer puts it, "sounds too much techno." Huh? I wonder if he was even listening to the right album? Or how about the reviewer who complained that the album "needed 14 years... 14 years of pain," in reference to an old Guns 'N' Roses song (sorry pal, you're no Jay-Z. So stop it with the metaphors). Another reviewer claimed that "AC DC's Black Ice & Metallica's Death Magnetic are 1000 times better." I think his review could have been written 1000 times better. Others, I would guess most of them, appear to be upset at the fact that Axl Rose is no longer with his original band members and is still holding on to the name Guns 'N' Roses, hence, the one-star rating. But whatever. We're all entitled to an opinion, I guess. So here's mine: Five stars! It's a classic album.
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