On November 23, 2008 Guns N’ Roses delivered an album that most thought would never reach the production stage, Chinese Democracy. This 14-track release came from the darkest depth of the band’s underbelly, clustered with controversial issues. Guns N’ Roses‘s internal affairs were sinking miserably as the once iconic Appetite line-up had deteriorated into struggling drug addicts. Fans were the first to identify that GN’R, during the mid-90s, was a ticking time bomb destined to burn out from high-stature success.
After a disappointing final release with what’s left of the original members, The Spaghetti Incident? left many with low expectations, and gave the notion that the band might throw in the towel on any day. Although it dials back to the aggression argued to be missing in the Use Your Illusion era and embodied in Appetite For Destruction, the album still falls flat as it is too raw and focuses purely on the punk side of GN’R‘s traits without leaving any room for technical innovation or fresh material.
As tension built throughout the late 90’s and early 2000’s, fans grew frustrated with the delays and brand new line-up changes arranged for Chinese Democracy, causing a majority to lose faith in any chance of a revival for Guns N’ Roses.
With the staggering amount of background and production time stretching as far as 15 years, it would be impossible for this album to live up to everyone’s expectations. However that doesn’t make it a bad album. The material in Chinese Democracy has a heavy dose of musical influences deeply processed and manipulated into a different tone altogether in order to create another generation’s version of GN’R. A main factor that this album amplifies is that Axl Rose has carried over his range of soaring vocals from the band’s prime years.
Opening with a straight-ahead hard rock tune, Chinese Democracy is as close as GN’R comes to their iconic Appetite era sound. Better is the first song that emphasizes on Rose’s singing capacity complimented by his execution of the highs notes.
One of the most profound tracks on the album is Street Of Dreams, a brilliant showcase of the magnitude behind GN’R‘s new line-up. Beginning with the soft yet powerful vocals of Rose and quickly escalating into a passionate melody as the vocals transform higher and higher right before the beautiful guitar solo by Buckethead. Truly a pinnacle in Chinese Democracy as it has all members firing on all cylinders right down to the eloquent piano playing softly behind the orchestral powerhouse.
If The World is another center piece for Rose as it pivots on the sheer depth of his high notes, showing no sign of weakness in the slightest. There Was A Time serves as the grandiose epic and also provides the best guitar solo lasting roughly 3 minutes. The very ornamental tune, Sorry is an elegant way for Rose to respond to all the backlash he has gotten during this album’s construction. Another impressive number is the chant-worthy, I.R.S., a song that sounds so distinctive that it seems to be the product of the all-star original line-up, however it is just one of two tracks that is modeled after the magic made with Rose’s previous band mates.
Madagascar is one of the most intricate numbers on Chinese Democracy. The compelling melody doesn’t lose its grip with Rose’s wholehearted vocals and the intense guitar screeching in and out throughout the track.
Although there is some fluff on Chinese Democracy, you won’t find it in the closing songs. This I Love and Prostitute ends the album proficiently, without leaving a bad taste in your mouth, as it all ties together with a satisfying conclusion.
The issues that come fourth as far as the complaints and criticism towards this album are understandable. The fact that it took as long as it did to be ready for release will always get under peoples’ skin and some of the reasons behind the delays can be heard during most tracks. The mountain of musical influence is shining clear off Chinese Democracy from the hip-hop intro on Better to the modern rock tones detectable on Scraped and Riad N’ The Bedouins. There’s even a jazz vibe coming off of If The World.
The argument that this album presents is whether or not these alter genres belong in GN’R. Rose brought this question to life with the Use Your Illusions, introducing songs like November Rain and The Garden for the first time. Most didn’t mind it since a majority of GN’R‘s original members were present. Now that they’re gone, it opens the question a bit further. What makes GN’R an iconic band? The straight- ahead, down and dirty hard rock from the Appetite era or the reconditioned, artistic style that Rose drives the band with. Some fans will never be satisfied while others might appreciate it as an evolution.
Overall, Chinese Democracy has a lot to offer musically and manages to cover many surfaces that some GN’R fans may not approve of. However, it’s an outstanding collection of material that more people might have defended with confidence if it didn’t have such an elaborate history to come with it. Judging on the songs alone, it has a lot to offer to those willing to set aside their GN’R rivalry.
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