Chinese Democracy - November 23rdMusic

[prisonermonkeys]

After close to fifteen years and millions of dollars, the world's most expensive album is finally about to be released: Guns 'n Roses Chinese Democracy.

While I don't have much time for Axl Rose and his antics, I did get into GNR after falling in love with Velvet Revolver. And while Slash, Duff McKagan and Matt Sorum haven't been invovled in the Chinese Democracy project, I do admit that I am looking forward to it, but I think it will have a hard time living up to the anticipations ... if there are any, given that it's been in Development Hell for so long.

I have heard a few tracks on YouTube, and there's only really four that I liked (I haven't heard all of them): Chinese Democracy, Shackler's Revenge, IRS and Madagascar. Some of the others strike me as Axl Rose being a little self-indulgent. Madagascar is guilty of the crime, too; it's Rose saying "I won't" when everyone is saying "You must", but it' saved by the fact that it's a good song.

I don't know ... I might get it, but this could very easily be disappointing. Anyone else looking forward to it?

 

[PARAGON GT]

This is one album that is not on my wish list.

I have listened to a couple songs from the album . . . and its trash. Everything sounds dated . . . in a bad way.
The only thing that is reminiscent of the the old GNR is his voice.
And that's not strong enough to make me go out and buy it.

VR's albums were both very strong. Its a shame that ego's and addictions got in the way. I can't wait to see tho they pull in to replace Weiland.

 

[prisonermonkeys]

Could be worse. One of my favourite artsits, Chirs Cornell, decided to team up with Timbaland for his next album, Scream. The man who was once the God of Grunge with plutonium lungs is now doing pop musc to the sound of a rum machine.

 

[Bollocks#999]

I shall reserve my judgment untill I have listened to it. These guys were, once upon a time, my favourite artists, bar none. There is not much of theirs I dont have. After Spaghetti though (a few songs of which I really got into) it was really a nothing album.

I will buy Chinese Democracy but dont know if it will be listened to even half as much as Spaghetti even. Saying that, I have been listening to the Illusions and Lies for the last few days.
For the amount of time and money Axl has put into this, it would want to be solid gold to justify the wait for the fans.

 

[TheCracker]

I've only heard the single "Chinese Democracy" so far on the radio. For 'the worlds most expensive album' the production is dreadful, you just can't hear the lyrics at all!

 

[PARAGON GT]

I shall reserve my judgment until I have listened to it. These guys were, once upon a time, my favorite artists, bar none. . .

They were high on my list of great bands too . . . Before Axl's ego got in the way they put out some great music.

But he got control of the band, canned everyone, threw together a makeshift band under the same name.

The talent of the group was from its players, not from him. You can kinda get that vibe from the 2 Velvet Revolver albums.

From what I have listened to, it sounds like bad 80's rock. Trying to be over the top, but no real substance to it.

 

[Bollocks#999]

Thats what Ive heard from various corners as well.

Will wait and see I guess, I really ain't holding my breath though

 

[Kazanski]

I've got it, Axl still has one of the best voices in rock. CD, Madasgascar and Sorry are awesome.

and just for the record BOTH VR albums suck ****, if anything sounds dated it is VR especially the 2nd album.

 

[Bollocks#999]

Your entitled to your opinion of course, I choose to disagree

Background:
Anything you could name of Guns N' Roses, I have it. From the EP, Live like a Suicide, to the original cover of Appetite to an Orange LP of Spaghetti and everything in between. I have more than 50 bootleg CD's and collected everything from magazines and newspapers. I had umpteen T-shirts that I wore out. To me, these guys were the band.

Now, with Axl's excesses, attitude and general wackiness, I wouldn't be suprised if more fans were turned off. I suppose I expected more in the 17 years since the Illusions came out. Especially with the amount of money, time and musicians used

Chinese Democracy isn't what, to me at least, what I remember GN'R to be. Whilst I do like the tunes, I think the vocals sound like something out of 85-86. As a whole I reckon it just doesn't grab you by the nuts like Appetite or the Illusions did.

 

[Sureboss]

Chinese Democracy isn't what, to me at least, what I remember GN'R to be

Because only Axl Rose is still there. Although with Velvet Revolver losing their contract with BMG (I think it was BMG) may we see a reunion?

 

[Bollocks#999]

Doubtful, if Axl was less controlling, maybe. As much as fans would like it to happen, it just doesn't seem likely.

 

[Sureboss]

I agree, but it would be one of the biggest moments in recent music history. I can see it now, GT5 being released with reformed GN'R performing Sweet Child O'Mine on the same day.

 

[Bollocks#999]

LOL, Wishful thinking I'd reckon, but I do like the idea!!!!

 

[Kazanski]

slash quit the band, as did duff, izzy left on the uyi tour. Matt? he wasn't original anyways and neither was gilby clarke. Axl as well, obviously wasn't trying to sound like the old band...what would be the point? This isn't AC/DC here.

I don't see how the vocals sound dated? have you listened to CD? Better? Madagascar?

Maybe rate the band on the music not because they don't sound like AFD, Axl is the only original member or it took 17 years. I don't see anywhere where Axl has said CD is supposed to be exactly like the old band?!?

 

[Bollocks#999]

Izzy was long gone before the Don't Cry video came out. Duff left in '97, A long time after the USY tour finished. You dont have to tell us that Matt and Gilby were not original members, we know that. Neither was Dizzy Reed for that matter. If you want to split hairs, Tracii Guns played guitar, Rob Gardner was on drums and Ole Beich played bass, albiet for only the one show, in the original lineup.
Saying that, their first "tour", a road trip to Seattle, had all the members that would later come to record "Appetite for Destruction"

The music is good, I'm not saying otherwise, its the vocals I don't really like. In particular the lines from "Cool Hand Luke" have been used. "Civil War" was and still is IMO one of the great anti war songs. Using, or rather sampling them know, looks dated to me and sounds like an attempt to bridge the gap between the Illusions and Chinese Democracy.

 

[McLaren]

They were high on my list of great bands too . . . Before Axl's ego got in the way they put out some great music.

But he got control of the band, canned everyone, threw together a makeshift band under the same name.

The talent of the group was from its players, not from him. You can kinda get that vibe from the 2 Velvet Revolver albums.

From what I have listened to, it sounds like bad 80's rock. Trying to be over the top, but no real substance to it.

Except that VR doesn't actually suck.