Jan 28 2009
Guns N’ Roses - Chinese Democracy
Okay, now we’ve gotten over the shock that this album is finally finished, it’s time to talk about the music.
I was far too young to appreciate the original Guns N’ Roses in their hayday, in fact, Axl has been working on Chinese Democracy for most of my lifetime.
I’m sure most of you share the desire to work on something for as long as it takes to get it right…and this is what I thought Mr. Rose was doing. Unfortunately it didn’t really turn out to be “the album to end all albums.”
The first single, and title track, is a little bit disapointing. There are solos blazing in traditional Guns N’ Roses style, Axl is wailing to his heart’s content, but nothing about the song is all that memorable.
If the World is one of the best songs on the album. The vocal melody is catchy and sing-a-longable. The music contains strings (synth?), a simple drum beat, flamenco guitar, and yet again Axl wailing. This is the only song I would listen to again.
Overall, the album seems like a bad 80’s nightmare. I think we all left the sound of this band in the past a long time ago…and for good reason.
It’s great to see someone finish something that they’ve been working on for years, but the music just isn’t that special.
Sincerely,
BW.
