Guns 'N Roses - Chinese Democracy

[Stubblecat]

So here's where the old-school fans and the younger haters clash about the mere existence of the 17-years-in-the-making Chinese Democracy.

Those here who know me may recall back in 2006 when I posted links to the early leaked tracks and my stupid fanboy enthusiasm then.

Flash forward 2 years and we're at less than 30 hours away from the release of what will probably be the final Guns 'N Roses album.

I've already heard rough and unfinished versions of most of the songs, but I'm on a self-imposed blackout right now. I could download the torrent and check out the album early. I could just go to G'NR's Myspace page, where the full album is now being streamed... But I will wait until Sunday.

So... Haters aside, is there anyone here (presumably over the age of 30) who still has really good G'NR goodwill who's as pumped as I am about Chinese Democracy?

[alexis]

I swear I heard a song by them today and I have no idea what it was. Let me just publicly note I did not download the torrent, but I did hear Chinese Democracy still not sure what I think about it though. I am not sure I am pumped but I did take the time to listen to it.

[PassItDown]

Wow. I didn't even know that they were releasing another album. The last that I bought was their greatest hits, and I kind of thought that was it then.

I'm kind of stoked about this, I need to check it out. Thank you!

[Stubblecat]

Surprisingly, almost all of the reviews have been overwhelmingly positive. I'm going out tomorrow to buy my copy!

[cookies2]

Well I know right now a good chunk of it is on Napster as a friend just played a little for me but you know I mean the legal and legit Napster that is. Some songs just were a little not GNR to me but maybe its b/c I only remember certain things about them back in the day.

[munchi]

I am sure many people will be checking this out some even thought Axl died years ago (my brother mentioned that when I was talking to him this morning about it). I wonder what made them decide to drop it now rather than closer to the end of the year?

[Stubblecat]

And here we go!

I'll try to keep this sort of brief, as there could be volumes written about this album.

Those of you who know me know that I've been anxiously awaiting this album for years. Back in early 2006 I got the earliest leaked tracks for Chinese Democracy and have been trying to spread the gospel ever since.

The album has finally come to fruition and the critical response has been startlingly (and overwhelmingly) positive.

But what does Stubblecat, hardcore GN'R fan, think of this record, now that it has finally seen the light of day?

Okay... I'm biased, but I'll try to be honest here...

Chinese Democracy is a massive glorious mess. It's no longer just an album. It feels more like an Andrew Lloyd Webber production. I wouldn't be surpised if in a decade it became an off-Broadway show.

I've been intimately familiar with 11 of the 14 tracks on this album for years now, so there weren't many surpises for me, per se.

But here's what the album is: A very strong theatrical masterpiece by a very angry man with a very broken heart. Fans of the old-school GN'R will find solace in rockers like the title track 'Chinese Democracy', the blistering 'Riad N' The Bedoiuns' as well as the chugging and driven 2nd single 'Better' and the witty most-likely-3rd-single 'I.R.S.'.
Other, more thoughtful, fans will relish think-pieces like 'If The World', 'Madagascar' and 'Prostitute'.
Scorned romantics will lean towards songs like 'Street Of Dreams', 'There Was A Time', 'This I Love' and 'Sorry'.

Chinese Democracy may very well be the last word in the traditional concept of the rock album. It so competely covers every base that it seems to do the impossible, which is to be all things to all people.

If this is what 17 (give or take) years sounds like, then perhaps more bands should go crazy for a while.

This is THE album of the the year 2008, bar none.

[ArgyleSocker]

i liked this cd