After 15 years of canceled concerts, plastic surgery rumors, leaked tracks, and millions upon millions of dollars spent, Axl Rose has finally let the world in on his much-anticipated record, Chinese Democracy. The album mixes the hard-core, brutal sound of the classic Appetite for Destruction, with a sprinkle of Use Your Illusions’ sentimental ballads.
Criticisms of Chinese Democracy
Chinese Democracy is being highly criticized for over-production, which at times is a valid complaint. Some of the intros are annoying, lengthy, and just plain unnecessary.
In addition, Axl's voice on some of the songs gets a little weird. Most notably, the opening of "Sorry," and the chorus of "Riad N' The Bedouins." This bizarre temporary change in style almost ruins a few good tracks. This is likely not an album a old-school 40 year-old Guns N’ Roses fan will immmediately embrace.
It's not Appetite for Destruction or Use Your Illusion, but it does contain elements from both. After a few listens, the albums’ new sound will grow on the classic fans.
New Fans, New Sound
On the other hand, new fans will be more impressed with the modern sound of some of the tracks on Chinese Democracy. Classic guitar riffs, combined with digitally-enhanced effects. It makes for a unique sound that some will consider "industrialized," but Axl merges the two quite well.
This a well-mixed album, and has something for everyone. Some of the sound effects, long intros, and drawn-out songs could have been omitted. But overall, this is a really solid product.
Axl's Voice, Killer Guitars
Axl’s recording voice is undeniable. Roses’ ability to reach unbelievable highs and lows and present emotion is definitely near the top of front-men in rock n’ roll history. His classic pipes still send chills down your spine in break-out tracks: “Better”, “This I Love”, and “I.R.S.” In addition, guys named “Buckethead,” and “Bumblefoot” shread on several tracks that would make even Slash’s jaw drop.
Marketing Flop, Chinese Democracy Myth?
Being marketed exclusively by Best Buy, Chinese Democracy sold a disappointing 261,000 copies in its first week of release. Axl is being blamed for meek sales, due to lack of promotion, apparently disappearing in the months leading up to the albums release.
More likely, it is due to the fact that the market is down, and interest has been lost through the years. Most fans never truly believed this album would come to fruition, and was considered more of a myth than reality.
Axl IS GnR
Many people blame Axl for the demise of GnR. Also, several critics and fans insist without Duff, Izzy, and Slash there is no GnR. But they would be mistaken. As evidenced by this record, guitarists are replaceable, but a great leader singer is not (see Velvet Revolver.) Axl’s voice, combined with his incredible song-writing ability made Guns N’ Roses what it was and still is. Whether critics want to admit it, this album crushes recent outputs by Metallica, Nickelback, and AC/DC.
Innovative Writing & Production, Real Rock Star
Nobody should hate Axl for wanting to make something new and exciting. Rose has refused to stick with a winning formula as previous bands and artists have. He is a perfectionist, a visionary, and hopefully, we have not seen the last of him, and his supreme talent.
Yes, he is a different breed. Selfish, arrogant, and extremely passionate. But isn't that what we love in a rock star? The mystique, rebelliousness, and radical attitude. What is more Rock n’ Roll than that?
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