Guns N' Roses' 'Chinese Democracy' – Your Verdict? - In The NME Office - NME.COM - The world's fastest music news service, music videos, interviews, photos and free stuff to win

JC [Visitor] //November 24 2008 at 10:38

Crap!

Richaod [Visitor] //November 24 2008 at 10:42

It's solid. Certainly not worth the 17-year wait, but would anything have been? One upside of the production (at least for me) is that it actually doesn't sound dated either. Less than we're entitled to, but more than anyone could have expected from it.

morning dew [Visitor] //November 24 2008 at 10:51

i'd rather buy the can of dr.pepper.

James [Visitor] //November 24 2008 at 11:29

Its alright....not bad, but not great.... but only listened through it once, o i'll give it a chance. At least its not the spaghetti incident!

A Clockwork Orange [Visitor] //November 24 2008 at 11:48

There's a new Guns n Roses album out? Funny, no-one mentioned it...

jacky [Visitor] //November 24 2008 at 12:00

it`s worth the wait just for sorry and this i love just wonderful hope we don`t have to wait another 14 years

PaulieB [Visitor] //November 24 2008 at 12:14

Given it a few listens already and think its excellent - typical GnR sound (even without 90% of the band), but with a modern feel. Think this will be a classic album in years to come...

Grant [Visitor] //November 24 2008 at 12:31

I am shocked at how good it actually is! I was ready for disappoinment but I think it is a great album of rock epics. Nothing is EVER worth the time and money, and it probably shouldn't bear the GNR name - but that aside it is a very good record. I wasn't impressed with the NME review - it just seemed like someone trying to make a name for themselves by being clever (and failing to be).

Pete Y [Visitor] //November 24 2008 at 12:46

Absolute rubbish! I'd rather stick pins in my eyes than endure that record again.

colvin [Visitor] //November 24 2008 at 12:53

Amazing collection of songs.. no one else does music like this today. Thanks to Axl Rose.

BEVERLY [Visitor] //November 24 2008 at 13:00

I love it!!!

Alan [Visitor] //November 24 2008 at 13:02

No NME review? Just a collection of oddments from others. Typical NME, no opinion, no verdict, no say. Sniff! even the Telegraph have given it a listen! Very good album by the way - it even sounds like GNR! despite all the bull surrounding it Axl's come up trumps. It makes me feel Better ;)

James [Visitor] //November 24 2008 at 13:14

Richaod: Less than we're entitled to, but more than anyone could have expected from it - very nicely put! I like catcher in the Rye and this i love. think itll be a grower. Its a shock to the system if anything!

Dan [Visitor] //November 24 2008 at 13:17

The review have not been mostly negative. Rolling Stone and the AllMusicGuide both gave the CD four stars (out of 5). And several other reviews were glowing. What are you talking about?

G [Visitor] //November 24 2008 at 13:33

anyone want to buy a 3 hour old Chinese Democracy CD?

Twentiethcenturymarc [Visitor] //November 24 2008 at 13:34

Grant...I hardly think Steve Sutherland needs to 'Make a name' for himself!! He's already got one, and it's quite well known. Although I'm basically inclined to agree...it's a surprisingly good record. Maybe it's just expectations are so low that anything was going to sound better than you expectected, or maybe in all the fuss about how much Slash and Issy Stradlin brought in, everyone lost site of the fact that Axl Rose -despite being, frankly, a bit of a knob- actually is quite talented by himself. He wrote the hooks after all. I'm not claiming this as an era defining release or anything, and it's not a patch on Appetite for Destruction (how many records are?) but in places it's as good as the Use Your Illusion albums, and it's a pretty reasnable rock record. 'Better' especially is a really good song.

Mumbles [Visitor] //November 24 2008 at 13:37

It's the worst album I've heard all year, although I've not listened to the new Keane one yet.

tom [Visitor] //November 24 2008 at 13:49

Guns'n Roses is an excellent band to read about. The listening is more of a challenge. The emperor has no clothes, methinks. Even Double Fantasy fans had to eventually admit that eventually.

DaveO [Visitor] //November 24 2008 at 13:49

It will be totally forgotten in a few months. Where are the tunes?? It's a bloated, overproduced mess. All these fan[atics] claiming it's amazing are just as bad as the Michael Jackson fans who convinced themselves "Invincible" was awesome. It's called denial.

Joshua [Visitor] //November 24 2008 at 13:52

First of all have you seen how this guy looks? Utter bollocks! Hopefully this crap will be the last contribution of this sad has-been er, rock star. I'd spend 13m on Dr Pepper instead

Maybe they should go fishing. [Visitor] //November 24 2008 at 13:53

Stay retired. Go Fishing. It is funny that they are jerking the chains of the PRC, though.

Robbo [Visitor] //November 24 2008 at 13:56

Axl has done a great job on this album.He wanted a sound that has not been heard yet and he has done just that. No one makes music like this! I think its going to sell well over 5 million copies!

b [Visitor] //November 24 2008 at 14:08

u all bought it and u no it its awesome

bmw [Visitor] //November 24 2008 at 14:12

If you stop analysing and just listen (not just a quick once over) you might just get it. This is rock and it rocks. Whether or not is GnR, who cares? You decide for yourself who made them who they were. It works and will be a classic...

Cas [Visitor] //November 24 2008 at 14:30

Loved appetite, not been to keen on rest of guns and roses album. but thought appetite was worth a download, and its suprisingly a lot better than i expected. "Better" is an awesome song :) x

Skott Why'land [Visitor] //November 24 2008 at 14:34

This sucks worse than my VR material! Complete and utter rubbish! I will soon anounce my intentions to become the new lead singer for Wack'sle's little cover band. (What are you people expecting from a band that is a product of a hostile takeover?? The little redheaded nutter's turn GNR into GM!)

Jason [Visitor] //November 24 2008 at 14:35

To be honest I wouldn't listen to any reviews given by British critics because we will never ever have the same class and diversity of music that the states enjoy, not when we are all spoon fed little commercial over hyped Indie bands. I thought the album is excellent, the guitar solos are some of the best I've ever heard and it feels great to hear Axl's trademark scream on another record after such a long wait. I don't agree the lack of Slash, Duff, and Izzy as being a major problem. They were what worked at the time. This is new Guns, and given the replacements are technically better than the original lineup, I can see a bright future. Welcome back Axl!!!!

Ben Casey [Visitor] //November 24 2008 at 14:45

It sucks.

Brent [Visitor] //November 24 2008 at 14:57

As much I really wanted to like this CD, I found it hard to. Can't imagine many GNR fans from 80's will like it either. The music seriously lacks the punch that would be expected after 52 years in production. This proves that you can polish a turd for years, but it's still a turd. Somewhere Slash is gagging (or laughing).

Greg [Visitor] //November 24 2008 at 15:15

Personally I like it, sure its over done in every single way but I think it works and I also admire Axl for spending over a decade making what he thinks is the perfect album so good luck to the man it all works for me.

Don [Visitor] //November 24 2008 at 15:16

There is an overwhelming tide of sonic data here that doesn't so much sweep you away on the first pass as it does crush you under its awesome pressure and turbulence. But once you've been immersed in it for a while you make you way to the surface and find the ability to breathe again, and take a look at what you've gotten yourself into. None of the songs on this album are my favourite song of all time. Not even my favourite GnR song of all time. Both of these are constantly shifting predicates anyway. But this album truly is the work of a crazy genius. This is "help me" and "fuck you" beaten together into a single, almost unrecognizable bloody mess by 50 electric guitars. Thumbs up.

Dan [Visitor] //November 24 2008 at 15:23

I thought this album would be rubbish, after the Hype and the fact that Axel is the only remaining original member, but I was wrong, this album is much more than I expected, its refreshing to see something so epic released that is actually good at the same time!

Julie [Visitor] //November 24 2008 at 15:33

It's not the old GNR from the 80's and 90's...but then again...this isn't the 80's or 90's. GNR has changed just like the times, and honestly, while they are still rockin', their prime is past. I am just about the biggest GNR fan of all time, but it is just not GNR without Slash, and Izzy, ect. The new CD's is banging, but not the same old GNR that we all know and love. I'd still give it 4/5.

Tony [Visitor] //November 24 2008 at 15:37

Poor British fans are mad an American made an amazing album. You guys have Babyshambles, Kaiser Chiefs, the Zutons; give us one.

Jimmy [Visitor] //November 24 2008 at 15:48

Its a good album, but not "13 years" great. some of the songs on it are quite weak and boring and its def overblown. And remember Axl had god knows how much help from lots of artists

zayn shele [Visitor] //November 24 2008 at 16:12

hey! too easy to dismiss what begs to be dismissed. so be fair. GNR 4.2 is the screw off mess that GNR 1 was without the desperation. CD is much better than it deserves to be. and rose's persona gives the whole merchandising enterprise a whoomp that anthing less than a era plus of fiddling never could.

Mumbles [Visitor] //November 24 2008 at 16:16

Robbo: No one makes music like this! Yes Robbo, no one makes music like this and there's a good reason for that - everyone else stopped making such overblown, self-indulgent crap back in the 70s. It took me 3 listens altogether to get to the end of the album - it really was that tedious. The whole album just screams "Axl has no friends to tell him when to quit". It's all just so over-produced it's obvious that studio-trickery is all Axl has left in his arsenal as a substitute for good songwriting. If this album had come out 10 years ago it still wouldn't have been worth the wait.

dodgy solanoid [Visitor] //November 24 2008 at 16:17

i thought the alexis petridis review was pretty good considering his usual tact. 3 stars in the end. just picked up the london paper and they say that it's the best rock record of the past decade (which may be a little over stated) but very positive non the less. Paul Morely said it was a masterpiece on newsnight review (don't ask me why i happened to be watching that). that doesn't feel like 'generally negative'. saw the nme review and it read like steve was angry and had made up his mind before he even went in to listen to it. a diff quote from alexis i've just found on the guardian website from 'that' review: "Rose keeps coming up with fabulous melodies, strong enough to hold songs like Better and Madagascar together, strong enough even to cut through the nonsense of There Was a Time. Listening to them, you're struck by the thought that Chuck Klosterman might have been wrong. Chinese Democracy is clearly not the greatest rock album ever made, but nor is it an absolute and utter failure. The irony is, that for all the lavishing of money and time and technology, it's saved by something as old fashioned as a good tune." i think that's not bad coming from him!

Sparkster [Visitor] //November 24 2008 at 16:50

Comes nowhere near the mark of the old Guns n Roses. There are some great new tracks on the album but there are also some pretty awful ones too. Looks like the days of the true Guns masterpieces are over!

miodrag [Visitor] //November 24 2008 at 16:56

Wow, surprised at the negative feedback. I think it's truly an amazingly well done album!

W Myers [Visitor] //November 24 2008 at 17:04

While I agree that there some songs that are way over-produced(ex. Madagascar), this is still a solid album. I hope the next album, Cuban Democracy, comes out before I die;)

tom [Visitor] //November 24 2008 at 17:08

its ok, but not whorth 17 years. myspace.com/fbty

Deano [Visitor] //November 24 2008 at 17:14

Guns 'n' who, never heard of them, where these the back up for the ting tings

Borstal Breakout [Visitor] //November 24 2008 at 17:44

Stop bleating on about Slash, Duff etc. They have left the band many years ago and we all need to accept that. Listen to the album on its own merits rather than comparing it to Appetite which is from another time in Axl's life. Stop trying to be cool by trashing a record unless you have listened to it, which I suspect most of you have not. Besides their peers, ie Metallica, AC/DC what modern rock band have the cojones to make a record like this? None. Welcome back Axl, I have slagged you off for years but after hearing your record, I am eating some humble pie and admitting the simple truth...it rocks!

Spencer Steel [Visitor] //November 24 2008 at 17:49

Let's face it, a bunch of tight jeaned indie NME readers are hardly going to rave about this really as it's probably the uncoolest album in the world to admit liking right now, surely. But you know what? It's not bad at all ... it suffers from overproduction and too many styles - some songs are clearly older than others (and generally better) ... Axel is at his worst when he goes for the "yeah, let's throw some drumloops and NIN shit down in the intro" ... and at one end of the scale, "Shacklers Revenge" made me want to stick two pencils up my nose and slam my head into the desk and others, like IRS and There Was A Time reminded me how good GnR were in their time. It's pompous, it'll make you groan, it'll make you laugh, it'll make you think WTF!, but hell, it aint bad you know ... and it's certainly not as bad as most of the hacks wanted it to be. It didn't silence critics but it made it into my 6 CD car changer, where space is at a premium. (Damn, that last line was too good for this 'comments' page, someone is gonna steal that)

Mike [Visitor] //November 24 2008 at 17:50

Great album loads of thought evoking tracks and rocky bluesy guitar going on !!!

Gareth [Visitor] //November 24 2008 at 17:59

Its a magnificent record.He's taken his time but so what? In this era of 'fairtrade' staduim fillers like Coldplay, we need the Axl Roses of this world to come back.Hes a private guy who doesnt feel the need to whore himself all over the media.Axl puts the rock in rock and this album is a triumphant return.

Get In The Ring [Visitor] //November 24 2008 at 18:19

Well that introduction wasn't too negative and biased was it? I listened to the whole album on Myspace on Friday night and was pretty impressed. I think there's a few 'growers' on the album which become classics with time. Listen to the music I say, if you don't like what you hear don't listen to it and go and do something else...But don't hate just for the sake of it. I'm pretty sure Axl's not going to lose any sleep over the lack of your support.

lol! [Visitor] //November 24 2008 at 18:27

You've got to be kidding me - you just reviewed an album based on a guy's looks? Go listen to N'Sync then. Album is better than expected.

Screen 2 [Visitor] //November 24 2008 at 18:29

Classic album ''for real''

[Visitor] //November 24 2008 at 18:32

Listen....most of the posts on here are full of crap. I bet half of u aint even heard the album and are just passing judgment just to be "COOL"! Its a good album..not a classic but better than what sum of the muppets we get on here are saying.

Josh [Visitor] //November 24 2008 at 18:34

Funny how a crap mag like nme, that hypes up bands like the artic monkeys and other utter indie bollox would have countless people slamming the album on this page

BB [Visitor] //November 24 2008 at 18:55

I only really like Appetite for Destruction and a few songs from the use your illusion albums. I think this album has some good stuff on it and there are songs that just dont get made anymore like that

Steve [Visitor] //November 24 2008 at 19:08

Listened to it 3 times, it still sucks.

Dave Marshy [Visitor] //November 24 2008 at 19:25

I've given it 3 listens, it's not the G n'R of old, but on the whole a great and well produced album!!

Mark [Visitor] //November 24 2008 at 19:35

Better than most of the indie shite that passes for so called Rock N Roll, Axl Rose has produced a gem, miles better than Use your illusion 1 &2. it is certainly far superior to the verve's Tired Forth album. Much better than Kaiser chiefs and Oasis's utter pile of crap album. Welcome back AXL don't let the sad indie muppets who listen to pastiche after cliche small faces rip off bands give you any shit. REAL MUSIC! 10/10

dave [Visitor] //November 24 2008 at 19:58

album sounds great very interesting there is nothing like it good value for money too

Laing [Visitor] //November 24 2008 at 20:01

2 listens, sounds ok. Those expecting a masterpiece will be disppointed although it's not a disaster. If you are using Appetite for Destruction as the benchmark you may be a little disappointed. This is a little bit 'Illusion-esque' but not even as good as those. A few good tracks; Chinese Decocracy, IRS, Riad N... but you'd probably heard those already. Still, it's out though and Axl is back on the scene so I still hold hope for a Slash/Axl/Duff/Stradler reunion!!!

jo [Visitor] //November 24 2008 at 20:04

who cares how much or how long it took, just listen to it every song is very different which makes it so good the best album i have paid for in many years

Rascal [Visitor] //November 24 2008 at 20:38

I don't understand how something with that much preparation can turn out to be this bad. It's actually one of the worst albums I've heard, and I loved the old Guns N' Roses stuff. Fifteen odd years obviously wasn't enough time - perhaps they should leave it another century before they release the next one if this one is anything to go by.

Alan [Visitor] //November 24 2008 at 20:38

It's the best album i hear in years, better than oasis, coldplay, velvetrevolver and all the bands that queep playing in the planet right now.

Mike [Visitor] //November 24 2008 at 21:06

Most of the reviews have been very positive, not negative. The Onion Av gave it an A and there are various claims of "masterpiece" throughout many of the reviews. NME has some kind of agenda or something.

Marcus Cactus [Visitor] //November 24 2008 at 21:20

The NME reviewer couldn't hide his agenda, bless him: a) under no circumstances am I allowed to like this album - I cannot be cool if I do! b) I'll even admit (sort of) to being a "hack" and listen to just the once because deep down I know I'm a sham, c) if this were a new band with no baggage I'd be drooling, d) and the Kaiser Chiefs, Oasis, and Coldplay are better than this? I know they're so bland and repetitive. Admit it, Steve. Chinese Democracy was so good you had to protest about it.

Stoffa [Visitor] //November 24 2008 at 21:28

i hope the next My bloody valentine album will be better than this! bar 2 songs its a bloody awful mess! Kevin Shields, over to you!

Indie? Yawn. [Visitor] //November 24 2008 at 21:51

Well done, Axl! Even better than expected. I think some people on here (and the NME reviewer) are protesting WAY too much. It makes you wonder....

Sam [Visitor] //November 24 2008 at 22:32

DaveO [Visitor] //November 24 2008 at 13:49 It will be totally forgotten in a few months. Where are the tunes?? It's a bloated, overproduced mess. All these fan[atics] claiming it's amazing are just as bad as the Michael Jackson fans who convinced themselves "Invincible" was awesome. It's called denial. No its called an opinion..

Hex [Visitor] //November 24 2008 at 22:39

Why would Slash be laughing somewhere? VR has just been dropped from its label. "This is "help me" and "fuck you" beaten together into a single, almost unrecognizable bloody mess by 50 electric guitars. Thumbs up. " - that is the MOST awesome review I have ever heard. And exactly spot on. Kudos Don. :)

[Visitor] //November 24 2008 at 22:40

what do people expect an album that takes 13 years to make to sound like? that their ears will bleed? it doesnt matter how long it took, you can write a good song in a few days if youve got the talent! listen to the damn songs! not a bad album at all. listened to it a few times now, certainly growing on me! :)

Leonardo Peixoto [Visitor] //November 24 2008 at 23:00

I am curious, for you haters, why waste your time to come here criticize? The man is back at the top of his game, it is a masterpiece!!! Nobody, except for Bruce Springsteen and Axl Rose, does such great, impressive music these days.

Aaron [Visitor] //November 24 2008 at 23:11

I liked Sixx A.M. better!

Sunil [Visitor] //November 24 2008 at 23:22

obv it hasent got nothing on clasic GnR and the antisipation was too much ant the hype was to much but axl still has it NO DOUBT the solos are still emnse but it is one of the best album's that have come out for agess

tom [Visitor] //November 25 2008 at 00:03

better than hinder/nickelback whiney crap with no solo that passes for rock these days.

XXX [Visitor] //November 25 2008 at 01:06

Come on now its a fuckin record its great for what it is new axle shit... Stop over analyzing and enjoy! Better then listing to today's music Hinder/ Doughty/ or Nickleback settle down fuckers!

[Visitor] //November 25 2008 at 01:33

who cares how much it cost, it aint your money. and who cares how long it took, we all got lifes to live and their is other music out there. is it worth the £8.97 their asking for it? yeh, absolutely.

c-diff [Visitor] //November 25 2008 at 02:10

i am very very dissapointed with this record ,all the hype and wait for what? just two maybe o.k songs,that like i said r just o.k nothing special. its like axel released all the shit out takes from use your illusions . theres no substance to it and its really boreing, i tryed to listin to it more than 3 times befor i pass jugement on it. i hate to say it but it SUCKS and anyone who is a gnr fan and nos music has to no its shit, what the fuck happend? hard rock my ass more like the stones or arosmith in there later years, it just sells cus its got the gnr name that it. so axel please stop rippin off the fuckin kids. i no it took a long time to release but it sounds like it took a day to make its so cheezy sounding with no rock feeling

steve [Visitor] //November 25 2008 at 02:16

Appetite in my opinion was the greatest album of all time. So stop comparing this one to it. I have listened to chinese democracy through several times and can say that it rocks. I was skeptical when I heard it was coming out, but when I heard Axl's voice coming through the speakers I realized why I loved Guns-N-Roses.

Keith [Visitor] //November 25 2008 at 02:20

Stop comparing to Appetite for fuck sake. A 5 year old could count how many members appear on both albums. It' not gonna happen when none of the bands there! It's a new band, it's a new sound. Yeah there's certain similarities to older Guns but it's still fucking amazing and don't even think about trying to tell me I'm in denial you fucking twat. Velvet Revolver sounds less like Appetite and it has more of the members from it, how dumb do you have to be to not see they're two different bands. Move on and accept it. Chinese Democracy kicks ass

Craig [Visitor] //November 25 2008 at 03:50

Quite honestly it's perhaps the most mediocre piece of music I've ever heard. Very middle of the road, takes no chances, not a departure in any way. I was excited by what I heard on the title track. Of course, the hype proved too much of a match for style and substance. Don't wait another 18 years or else you'll slip into anonymity and 'Appetite' will be all anyone ever mentions when the name g n' r pops up.

Joseph [Visitor] //November 25 2008 at 04:23

its the best album that has come out in a while, it doesnt suck you'll at least like a few songs you'll like in there and some that dont but overall i liked it

axl fan [Visitor] //November 25 2008 at 08:01

the more you listen, the more sounds and lyrics you discover .not only is Axl proving to be a great song writer, but he sings like no other.he does the Guns n'roses name proud.

mark [Visitor] //November 25 2008 at 10:18

take away all the hype/anticipation/lack of original members - this is a fantastic rock record. A REAL rock record, not like anything else heard for ages. People will always pull it down but how refreshing to hear something will really balls.

Rich [Visitor] //November 25 2008 at 10:46

It's average, it's also not Guns N Roses, it's an Axl Rose solo album that he's spent over a decade tinkering with, no Slash, No Duff, No Izzy, No Steven/Matt = not G 'n R, perhaps Krist Novoselic would like to record a new Nirvana album with some session musos?

Karl [Visitor] //November 25 2008 at 11:24

This album is solid as a rock. There are a couple of songs that didnt quite come off but there are at least 4 or 5 great tracks in there that get better with every listen. Most of the ney-sayers probably didnt even listen to it.

pete [Visitor] //November 25 2008 at 12:15

I think it's a good, solid effort by Axl. It's been given negative reviews, but it can't be that bad if you got the likes of Nikki Sixx from Motely Crue who said ''it's a phenomenal solo record'' OK, so it might not be a true GNR album due to the missing original members, but this record is a more modern sounding, perhaps futuristic sounding album, which is not a bad thing.

Al_28 [Visitor] //November 25 2008 at 12:26

1st listen hated it. 3 listens later, loving it. 8/10

Wayne (Angst Alternative) [Visitor] //November 25 2008 at 12:36

I have listened to the album and it is a masterpiece, but everybody whining wheres slash??? he quit in 1996. Thats right not fired, he quit!!! do you get it! Axl's voice sounds great, and the music takes you on a journey from beginning to end, don't jump on the bands back listen for yourself.

collins [Visitor] //November 25 2008 at 12:38

its a hideous attempt at nu metal round 10 yrs too late. irrelevant a forgetable...just like most music remotely mainstream these days. yuck!!

Angelos [Visitor] //November 25 2008 at 12:48

Well in their first albums you could tell that the songs were written by people who knew what living on the road means. Now the album seems as if its composed by a spoiled millionaire. GNR was the result of a good chemistry. Slash's guitar, Izzy's song writing, Axl's persona and Duff''s backing vocals. This is what the new record lacks and especially in the song-writing the result is very poor. The record is too polished and definitely not a GNR one.

SuperHands [Visitor] //November 25 2008 at 12:56

to be honest i absolutly hated this but i persisted with it as im a huge GNR fan and i cant see past Slash, Duff, etc but i eventually did an its not GNR by a long shot, Velvet Revolver are more GNR but its def not a bad effor, just look at as it is, Axl Rose an Co.

the Spaniard [Visitor] //November 25 2008 at 15:24

Excellent album, superb! Street of Dreams, Prostitute and Better my favs! JC (Miami, FL)

An Axl Rose by any other name [Visitor] //November 25 2008 at 16:13

There Was A Time is as good as a rock song can get. The rest of the album can't live up to that song but that song is Guns N' Roses' 'Stairway To Heaven'. There Was A Time is a masterpiece of a track.

John Stiles [Visitor] //November 25 2008 at 16:25

At the the end of the day it is about the music and if anyone misses rock n roll how can you not like this kick ass album?

christophergelder@hotmail.com [Visitor] //November 25 2008 at 16:53

I think the album is a beautiful exploration of universal lyrical themes and an almost operatic tone. Axl's lyrics are more rythmical than on the rubbish Illusion albums and have a real sweetness when expressing the emotion which lies behind them, like the quote at the end of Street of Dreams, 'Didn't I tell ya' really rips at my heart strings. The sentiment is expressed with excrutiating honesty. Considering how much money they've made and how devoid of reality their lives must be, the amazingly weird aspect to this piece of work is that it manages to evoke a real cocooned innocense and rebellion against any kind of modern day paymaster. Completely anti-capitalistic. I love it.

Richard [Visitor] //November 25 2008 at 17:06

I Fucking rules All the Fuckers that hate it should Fuck themselfs

Sean aka DevilBoy [Visitor] //November 25 2008 at 17:55

Am currently working on my second listen-through of GN'R's newest, "Chinese Democracy". First impressions? Not bad, but it is not Guns N' Roses, sorry. The tracks tend to stray too far from each other in general style and the entirety is far too overproduced. The appeal, the niche if you will, that made GN'R what they were in the early days was their irreverence, their punk attitude in the face of the glitz and lipstick they were inundated with by being given birth in the 80s glam cesspool that was Hollywood at the time. The songs - taken individually - are actually quite good, overall. But it is not the Guns N' Roses that served as the soundtrack to my own rebellions and lifestyle way back when. Is that a good thing? Perhaps, perhaps not. Most of the target demographic was either not born or barely born or not even a sparkle in anyone's eyes when I was going to clubs and seeing GN'R play with bands like Jetboy, TSOL, and others. This is my first impression, however; a much more fully realized review to be spewed out later this week.....but I will say this: It is worth a listen to find out what the fuck Axl has been doing for the past 17 goddamn years.....

D [Visitor] //November 26 2008 at 01:10

that last song sounds like robbie williams. anyway, it's not quite the lost album the beach boys SMiLE was.

Davey [Visitor] //November 26 2008 at 04:52

Listen to Nazareth's new CD The Newz, REAL hard rock the way it should be done. Also AC/DC's Black Ice and Motörhead's Motörizer. Chinese Democracy have some really good tunes and melodies, but overproduction has gone against them, a little less "sonic clothes" could have make them better. Let's wait and see how these songs make it live, if GNR (Axl) wants to tour in support of CD.

Tom [Visitor] //November 26 2008 at 11:29

I think its good. It was never going to be 'worth' the 17-year wait. There are a few dud tracks but on the whole I think its pretty cool. When its at its best it has some of the best GNR songs produced. Name one band out there in the last two/three years who has made a record that sounds anything like this? Like it or not, Axl's vision is totally unique. If we're comparing it to GNR albums: worse than Appetite and Illusion II, but better than Illusion I and the other one that I won't name :P.

Jo [Visitor] //November 26 2008 at 12:37

Just can't stop listening to it. The album knocks the crap outof anything else out there. Forgot the controversy, the 14 year wait, and take it for what it is a trully unique album amidst a sea of sampled, manufactred bands with virtually no musical talent. Yeahthe old GNR was great but look at the state of velvet Revolvers records-listento them more thanonce and you'll be begging for a frontal labotomy, and the same goes for Strandlin. The USP of GNR was and always will be the schizoid talent of Axl Rose. My favorite tracks are currently Shackler's revenge with it'skiller chorus over what I'm assuming could only be Bucketheads, 200 mph guitor chords (Slash could never have done that) and Sorry,which just about saysit all.

Eddie [Visitor] //November 26 2008 at 17:58

Anybody that thought that this was going to be old GNR stuff is delusional. Axl evolves GNR with this CD, the songs are epic-like, groundbreaking stuff. Exactly what was said about "Appetite for Destruction." I'm a GNR fan from way back in the early 80's, and I feel like this CD was worth the wait. I keep listening to it over and over, much like I did when Appetite first came out.

youngmalcom [Visitor] //November 26 2008 at 19:07

everything that was ever different in music, or movies for that matter was hacked and slashed at first, jazz, rock'n roll, rap. only time will tell if, this project will be remembered. everyone one of you probably have scarface in your DVD collection, yet it bombed in the box office, hype or not, ITS ROCK music, theres no bad exspression, it is what is....LET IT BE!

parasites [Visitor] //November 26 2008 at 22:53

It's not the first time that journalists have tried to enhance a reputation by slating a famous group. So the NME thinks Britney Spears album is better than GnR? The hidden agenda is suddenly transparent. The NME has lost so much credability where this is concerned.

It sticks in my throat but.... [Visitor] //November 26 2008 at 22:55

It's actually rather good!

falun gong [Visitor] //November 27 2008 at 10:52

AXL THIS I LOVE IS AMAZING!!!!!

Oggi [Visitor] //November 27 2008 at 13:05

Chinese Democracy - what a megalomaniac waste of time and money! Who was that moron who told Axl Rose he is any worthy? Come on, we live in 2008. !4 years of "anticipation", loads of scandals, millions wasted in studio... And the result? A pile of absolute shite! I still cannot believe all this "fuzz" around it, Media gibberish and Axl, dear friend with obvious mental disballances, get a life, buy yourself a house, find yourself a middle aged overweight American lady and settle down! You obviously have no connection with reality. This is planet Earth, year 2008, boy. Please, show some mercy and spare us your spasm efforts to prove you still can do any music. You never did, boy, you never did... The world will be quite grateful if you did so! Regards from a happy-to-see-you-again person who'd rater listen to Take That for the rest of his life than paying a penny for your miserable album.

[Visitor] //November 27 2008 at 13:30

doo-doo

Sentinel [Visitor] //November 27 2008 at 13:53

There are two possibilities with this album: the hype has built up to the extent where people are sorely disappointed, or the mockery and slander have flowed so freely people are surprised by the album's quality. I fit, sadly but snugly, into the former category.

MAKANA [Visitor] //November 27 2008 at 15:49

HAHAHAH guys, what a conflict. Very well slash is missin there's no arguement abt that, but listen to Roses' voice, i think he shifted upwards, lead guitar has alot offered clean jazzy, blues, rock, speed all the metal rock ...etc ballads are there some good songs some excellent songs... but the classics are missing november rain, civil war, sweet child o' mine... no more classics . OVERALL it could've been much better....

Bruce [Visitor] //November 27 2008 at 17:38

You wait 14 years for an album, then it needs to be good, all of it. This has 3 good songs on it, better, I.R.S and Chinese Democracy. The rest is just very ok or pretty piss. I think this album needed to be put out and now the whole Chinese Democracy saga is over, the big question and point of interest for me is what Axl is going to do next?

Bernie [Visitor] //November 27 2008 at 17:55

The album is solid and deserves better reviews than the majority of comments are giving (as your all to self important to support something mainstream, or betray the original lineup). Go and tidy your bedrooms kids!!

[Visitor] //November 27 2008 at 23:20

Most reviews of this are not objective. They're more about a personal dislike of Mr Rose than anything, with some rather predictable comments about the 15 year period in the making. If this were a new band would the comments be so harsh? I feared it would be crap, if I'm being honest, but after 3 or 4 spins, it's the best thing out there right now. But then, I was objective whilst listening to it and gave it a chance....

Rich T [Visitor] //November 28 2008 at 12:49

Sorry guys cheesey 80's rock is what we wanted from them and that was what we had, before this album, verdict waste of self space.

Nic [Visitor] //November 28 2008 at 13:12

My mum once said if you can't say anything nice, don't say anything at all. Personally, I think it's a great album and Axl's not disappointed. Good to see G 'n' R can still provoke debate after 14 years!

Martijn [Visitor] //November 29 2008 at 11:31

I'm an old fan and had bad expectations (with the exclusion of the old band members) and when I first listened to it I was still looking for faults everywhere... I have come to think it's a VERY VERY AWESOME album. So what if it took too long to make, so what if it cost loads of money to make.. Axl still has what it takes to clearly make an awesome masterpiece. Looking forward to more VERY MUCH !

Rick [Visitor] //November 30 2008 at 14:10

I have seen GnR three times and have all thier albums, after listening to the new album I was like this sucks. Then like lots of other albums I never liked right away I decided to save my opinion for after hearing it a couple of more times. I haven't taken the cd out since and I have grown to like alot of the songs. I might even go see a new GnR concert to compare but will they be allowed to tour? All said I think its a great listening album that I only fastforward a couple of songs.

DJack [Visitor] //November 30 2008 at 16:11

To all the obvious losers who bought into the hype and condemed the album before even hearing it (which is almost everyone on this blog), get a life it is what it is a "album" which obviously the guy put alot into and in my opinion, it is a great album. How do you live up to hype nevermind following three of the greatest rock albums ever made (appetite for destruction & the Use your illusions)? lets see any of you do anything worth anything besides bitch about real artists making real music on a loser blog. you sound like a bunch of idiots talking about what you know nothing about.

APPETITE FOR DISAPPOINTMEN [Visitor] //November 30 2008 at 19:00

I remember having my ears blown off and mind pierced with Appetite for Destruction. I guess i was hoping for the same. It is a shame that Axl let his new lifestyle penetrate his music. I have a GNR Chinese Democracy CD for sale. Its sad, I still have 3 copies of Appetite for Destruction

Dave P [Visitor] //November 30 2008 at 20:53

After a week of intense listening I would have to say the album is genius... and I am an insane GNR fan who never followed Velvet Revolver as I listened and did not like. This though, I do like. Well done Axl

Jim [Visitor] //December 1 2008 at 11:21

Wow All I can say is wow, put it on your preferred MP3 player turned it up and you will go F##K. Hopefully gets its deserved respect, a huge album WOW the depth in each song is crazy, yep maybe over the top but just epic F##K I listened to the killers latest, oh dear, listen to them back to back, AXL is huge WOW

Jim [Visitor] //December 1 2008 at 11:22

Wow All I can say is wow, put it on your preferred MP3 player turned it up and you will go F##K. Hopefully gets its deserved respect, a huge album WOW the depth in each song is crazy, yep maybe over the top but just epic F##K

axl levy [Visitor] //December 1 2008 at 20:02

stop comparing to other albums, on it's own it is a decent attempt. may not be the greatest album of all time, but it definetly deserves a listen.

[Visitor] //December 2 2008 at 09:27

I think this album is f*cking amazing. The street of dreams, better are great songs!

Rodrigo [Visitor] //December 2 2008 at 09:28

I think this album is fckng amazing. The street of dreams, better are great songs!

John [Visitor] //December 2 2008 at 20:01

Whats going on here? Are all the GNR haters all standing up at once while the GNR fans stay silent? This album is AMAZING. If you can forget the cost, years, hype & expectation & judge it on the listening experience alone you'll know how great this album is. True, there is no sweet child type song here, but there ARE plenty of epic songs. Great songs in fact. Overblown? Not at all. Listen again & you'll hear some works of genius. The negative reviews are from Axl haters or poeople who want the new lineup to fail. They cant see past their own pig headedness. If you dont like the songs on this album ask yourself this: "Whats wrong with me"?

Black Nails [Visitor] //December 4 2008 at 19:56

For us TRUE Guns N' Roses fans, do we really think Chineese Democracy is all the hype it's been brought up to be? Nah... we like the harder rock not all these ballads the album has brought together. I'm dissapointed in the results, and was actually surprised at it's softness. Give me an Appetite for Distruction any day....Sorry guys, maybe next time you can aim for the die hards. XXX B.N.

Steven P [Visitor] //December 5 2008 at 16:56

Excellent album. The more I listen to it, the more I love it. This is for people who think that November Rain is Guns N' Roses best song. Some lovely ballads and Prostitute is an exquisite song.

Scott [Visitor] //December 23 2008 at 21:07

Man this album is great. My favorite song is Catcher in the rye.

U2 Fan but love GnR [Visitor] //January 9 2009 at 21:11

I really like this cd.Obviously it isn't Appetite..,but it is a great record in itself.Well done Axl. ....by the way cannot wait for U2's New album.......

BluesFarmer [Visitor] //February 24 2009 at 20:25

Cobain was right from the very beginning- typical Establishment "rock god" figure with a holier than thou attitude, arrogant, homophobe. Tht comment was way ahead of its time.. 17 years, to be precise!

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Guns N' Roses' 'Chinese Democracy' – Your Verdict?

By Luke Lewis

Posted on 24/11/08 at 10:21:31 am

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