Chinese Democracy – Worth the wait?

Anyone who knows me, probably thinks I’m a tool for how much of a fan of Guns n’ Roses I am. I’ve annoyed Kelly with my incessant talk about “Chinese Democracy” for the last two months. After waiting more than half my life for a new album of original material from Axl, I think I should get some slack, don’t you think? In any case, I’ve decided I would write up a little review of the album as I see it.

Before I talk about the songs themselves, I must say a few things. First, don’t judge this album by low quality mp3s. I wouldn’t even use mp3′s anymore after listening to FLAC rips. There is a definite richness to the sound that is totally lost in the compression of the music. I was shocked at how much I was missing (even from 320kbit rips). Secondly, listen to this album in space. While I am usually a proponent of headphones for sophisticated listening, Chinese Democracy sounds better on my Saturn’s crappy car speakers then my $100.00 headphones. There is something about the mix that requires this album to be played out loud. Thirdly, shut up about this not being “the real Guns n’ Roses without Slash”. If you were a fan when the original band was together, you’re in your thirties now, so move on. Also, if every fan who whined about Slash not being in GNR bought a Velvet Revolver album, I doubt RCA would have dropped VR. I know it’s not the original band, and I know it’s mainly just Axl now. I’ve accepted that and can move on. Fourthly, stop whining about it not being in the style of Appetite for Destruction. Why would anyone do another AfD style album, when everyone knows you can’t top it? AfD is a once in a generation album, that a band doesn’t do twice. So with all of that set up, time to talk about the songs.

1. Chinese Democracy – The title track and first single off the album, does take some time to get up to speed, but once it does, it’s a pretty solid rock track. It’s not Welcome to the Jungle, but it’s a pretty good opening.

2. Shackler’s Revenge – This song was first heard in Rock Band 2. It’s grown on me a lot and now that I’ve heard the final CD mix, it gets even better. It’s definitely a more modern sound when you hear it in headphones, but get it out loud, and it sounds a lot more raw. I really liked the drumming on this one.

3. Better – This is an instant classic. Possibly the strongest rock track on the album, it sucks you in with it’s music and lyrics. Not much I can say here, you just have to listen to it.

4. Street of Dreams – A ballad that would belong on either of the Use Your Illusion albums. Again, like so many songs on Chinese Democracy, you have to hear a high quality version in space to appreciate this song to fullest.

5. If The World – This is the second best song on the album. It has a really cool vibe going throughout the song. And while it might sound like it has too many layers, the more I listened to, the more I could hear how things were meant to be heard. I expect this song to be a hit when it gets released as a single.

6. There Was A Time – I’ve heard complaints that this song has “too much”. Look, Axl’s trying to push the genre forward, not recapture his youth. He’s not James Hetfield reciting high school drop out lyrics as a man in his mid 40′s. This is a complex song with many layers, beautifully composed and mixed.

7. Catcher In The Rye – This is a song with a kind of upbeat tone to it, that seems to be in contrast to somewhat dark lyrics. It’s not a catchy song at first, but like so many songs (sorry to keep saying this), the more you listen the more you hear. It’s a shame the Brian May solo was dropped, but I’m liking this song more and more.

8. Scraped – This is the only rocker that sounds like the old GNR could make it. There is a lot going on with this song, but I think what I like most about it, is the singing. I like the distinct voices Axl uses in the versus. Just really works for me.

9. Riad n’ the Bedouins – This song sounds really, really compressed (pun intended) when I heard an mp3 version of it, but it definitely loosens up in the CD format. A very solid track with a hint of “The Immigrant Song” in it.

10. Sorry – I really like this one. It has a really good sound, and, heh, once again, has a really textured sound that you have to really get as close to the original source to appreciate. I can see playing this one a lot.

11. I R.S – I was never thrilled with the demo leaks for this song. I thought it was okay, but the final mix really jumps out at me. A song that kind of reminds me of “You Could Be Mine”, I expect this one to be a decent hit as well.

12. Madagascar – I expect this song to be one that is skipped a lot. It’s not an easy song to get into I think at first listen, but the more I hear it, the more I like it. I like the MLK speech, and I think it really works with the song.

13. This I Love – This is like listening to classical music, which means it will probably turn off a lot of fans. However, as arrangements go, it’s awesome. I think the guitar work is really good on this song as well, and sounds most like classic GNR guitar than any other song.

14. Prostitute – A curious choice to close an album, but this song quietly builds up to a point that its sound fills everything the room, and the quietly fades away. I have to think this is for effect, but I liked the track nonetheless.

So, was it worth the wait? I have to say….yes. It pushes the genre forward, is the obvious successor to UYI, and is nothing like anything that anyone else is putting out now. It’s unique in today’s world. If you like GNR, you should like it, but if you just plain like music, you’ll like it as well.