Guns N' Roses - Chinese Democracy Review

Posted by Peter Smith on 11.23.2008

The day has come...

Tracklist:
1. "Chinese Democracy"
2. "Shackler's Revenge"
3. "Better"
4. "Street of Dreams"
5. "If the World"
6. "There Was a Time"
7. "Catcher in the Rye"
8. "Scraped"
9. "Riad N' the Bedouins"
10. "Sorry"
11. "I.R.S."
12. "Madagascar"
13. "This I Love"
14. "Prostitute"



Review:

Let’s begin with what we know. We know how long Chinese Democracy took to release. We know who is no longer in Guns N’ Roses. The important questions to ask regarding Chinese Democracy are not about release delays or former band members, we already know these things. The important questions are about quality. Is the music any good? Is this a record you can put on, sit back, and enjoy? Most importantly, does it make you desire to belt out the lyrics at the top of your lungs and play air guitar like so many previous Guns N’ Roses records? We know it cannot possibly live up to the hype, but does the music succeed in spite of it?

The record kicks off with a slow build filled with sirens, a jagged guitar riff, and booming drums. We know Chinese Democracy is truly beginning when Axl’s trademark screechy wail busts through the door. Welcome back, Axl.

Chinese Democracy is loaded upfront with rockers that immediately shatter any concern that the new Guns N’ Roses record might be a ballad fest. The title track grinds and grooves. “Shackler’s Revenge” is perhaps the heaviest Guns N’ Roses song ever recorded and pummels the listener with a guitar solo by Ron “Bumblefoot” Thal that is sheer terror (in a good way). “Better” follows and is one of the record’s catchiest songs. If this record is going to have a chart-topping hit, this will most certainly be it. Anyone doubting Axl’s ability to sing like he did back in the 90’s need look no further for proof to the contrary. His trademark rasp is on full display and it sounds great.

The next four songs offer a bit more variety. “Street of Dreams” is a power ballad-by-numbers that old school GNR fans of songs like “Don’t Cry” will enjoy. “If the World” is a funk filled apocalyptic plea sounding like a cross between Faith No More’s “Evidence” and “Stripsearch”. “There Was a Time” is the first “November Rain”/”Estranged” type song on the record and perhaps best illustrates the record's overblown production. This song alone features a drum machine, acoustic drums, metallic guitars, acoustic guitars, plenty of synthesizers, and begins and ends with a choir. Seriously. But the odd thing is…it works. It is a grand spectacle that perhaps only this band can get away with. On the flip side is “Catcher in the Rye”. “Catcher” is a pleasant Queen-ish/Beatle-esque track that suffers from a few questionable production choices. For example, about midway through there is some distracting piano noodling that leaves this listener baffled. It sounds like nonsense.

The second half returns to the aggressive march showcased at the start of the record. “Scraped” begins with a hilarious barbershop quartet of Axls moaning a capella before proceeding into the most Appetite sounding track you’ll hear on Chinese Democracy. The music shuffles along similar to “Mr. Brownstone” or “Rocket Queen” and Axl sounds loose and defiant much like he did throughout that record. “Riad N’ the Bedouins” charges ahead and treats the listener to a particularly delicious chorus. “Sorry” slows things back down a bit, but there’s no doubt that this track is every bit as aggressive as the previous two. It sounds like a cross between Pink Floyd, Alice in Chains, and Ozzy and includes some of Axl’s most ruthless lyrics (“You talk to much. You say I do. Difference is nobody cares about you.”) It also possesses the “cool ranch dressing” moment of the record (“but I don’t want to do it”). Finally, there’s I.R.S. Axl says, “Gonna call the President, Gonna call a private eye”… I say, “Gonna probably skip this one more often than not”.

The record ends with three songs that, for better or worse, exemplify Axl’s flair for the dramatic. “Madagascar” is a challenge. You are either going to hate or love Axl’s vocal approach. He begins the song sounding old and tired, but as the song progresses toward its triumphant conclusion, his vocals become more and more vibrant. There are some production issues too. Is the MLK speech or the backup chorus of Axls at the end really necessary? Next is perhaps the standout track on this record. “This I Love” is the sound of a heart breaking. It is intense. It is sad. It is desperate. It also is home to one of Chinese Democracy’s most memorable guitar solos. All of the pain and despair translated into words by Axl is embodied by the anxious cries of Robin Finck’s guitar. Finally, “Prostitute” offers a fitting conclusion. It is a mixture of stunning melody and metallic bombast, much like this record as a whole.

Make no mistake about it, Chinese Democracy is a bold record. But it is also surprisingly accessible. Sure, some of the production choices are questionable, but much like the Illusions (which featured some questionable production choices as well) the songs are there. And the songs are good. If you are expecting Appetite for Destruction part two, you are going to be disappointed. If you are expecting the greatest record of all time, you will also be disappointed. But if you are looking for a diverse and creative hard rock record, look no further. You will find yourself playing air guitar and letting your inner Axl loose in no time.

Recommended Songs: "Better", "There Was a Time", "This I Love", "Prostitute"

The 411: Many people will have their minds made up about Chinese Democracy before they even listen to it. This is understandable. Axl has burned a lot of bridges and the expectations for this record are out of this world. However, if people are willing to give it a chance, they’ll find a lot of what made Guns N’ Roses such a phenomenon to begin with: gritty hard rock, soaring ballads, and a volatile unpredictability.

Final Score:  9.0   [  Amazing ]