Here Today... Gone To Hell!

Firstly, this is a rumour, so discuss remembering that

Check this out. Amazon and best buy included CD versions to be released on March 2nd and 3rd. Maybe new covers? booklet?

AMAZON:
http://www.amazon.com/Chinese-Democracy-Guns-N-Roses/dp/B0037BBKIK/ref=sr_1_13?ie=UTF8&s=music&qid=1266075117&sr=8-13

BEST BUY:
http://www.bestbuy.com/site/Chinese+Democracy+-+CD/9792722.p;jsessionid=441B857D255ACA9D7207A50EBCC91DA5.bbolsp-app02-22?id=2087062&skuId=9792722&st=Chinese%20Democracy&lp=2&cp=1

Maybe with correct lyrics this time .  :P

Boosts chances for a "Better" video, right??  :o

As long as they don't change the music on it (sequence, remix, bonus tracks, nothing): I'm fine with this :)

Wow, if thats true, it would be awesome!

Hope for some bonus live track aswell... ;)

Same in the UK.. Vinyl as well!!

http://www.amazon.co.uk/s/qid=1266077391/ref=sr_st?keywords=chinese+democracy&rs=229816&page=1&rh=i%3Aaps%2Ck%3Achinese+democracy%2Ci%3Apopular%2Cn%3A229816%2Cn%3A%21520920&sort=-releasedate (http://www.amazon.co.uk/s/qid=1266077391/ref=sr_st?keywords=chinese+democracy&rs=229816&page=1&rh=i%3Aaps%2Ck%3Achinese+democracy%2Ci%3Apopular%2Cn%3A229816%2Cn%3A%21520920&sort=-releasedate)

bonus remix tracks :drool: OMG remix! bet that'll be too good to be true though

Best Buy has vinyl also:

http://www.bestbuy.com/site/Chinese+Democracy+(Ogv)+-+VINYL/9792995.p?id=2087063&skuId=9792995&st=Chinese%20Democracy&lp=1&cp=1

"Ogv", what's that?

This is how they should have released this album in the first place...while touring.

"That it's neeeeeeeeeeeeeeeever, tooooooooooooooooooooo late"

To answer my own question..

from what i understand it is a compression technique poss to get more into less space on the record


Can anyone confirm this? Because the original release doesn't have the "Ogv" note, and both releases are 2 discs. Could mean some change on the content maybe?

Ten extra tracks... :P

however, the cd one is 1 disc it appears.

http://www.fye.com/Chinese-Democracy-Front-Page_stcVVproductId95589177VVcatId455366VVviewprod.htm

there too...

and here:

http://www.cduniverse.com/productinfo.asp?pid=8140566

Yeah I know. What I meant was both releases of the vinyl are 2 discs, but only the new one has the "Ogv" tag.

Could mean nothing, could mean something..

OGV? More Space? Extra tracks  8)

The original release of Chinese Democracy has a running time of about 71 min. Not sure exact, but there's room for more on a cd right?

I don't own the vinyl version, but if the original release was packed, then the "Ogv" could account for a few extra minutes.

Just speculations, but it could mean re-mixes or extended songs.

@spirit i know i just mentioned that because if the cd is indeed a disc, the ogv lp doesn't mean much longer run time.

maybe they haven't get the full details yet and just put the previous ones for now?

Do you know how much exactly?


The thing is, the previous one doesn't have the tag.

When the CD was first posted in the BestBuy site, in the end of 2008, it had 3 covers. Maybe it's just a new cover, but I hope not.

maybe they haven't get the full details yet  but some of the details were given..

if you mean how long  wiki says for cdda Maximum playing time is 79.8 minutes

with a new world tour underway, interest in the band in terms of a worldwide audience growing - a re release with maybe a new cover, a few live tracks/covers is a great marketing idea

I've already got the vinyl, 2 cds, iTunes download and boxset, so unless there's bonus tracks/live material I'll be giving it a pass.

Fingers crossed....though I can't help but think we'd have heard about this before if we were going to get something new.

They could take a few bootlegs/demos and maybe some soundboards from Rock am Ring or Donnington for an extra cd.

re releasing.. maybe there is a bigger promo around it then?

Most likely Best Buy deal is up

As much as I'd love new covers and disco-remixes, I'd be willing to bet that the BB deal has run its course and now other major markets have it.

However, did someone mention that there is a release date in the UK for this too? That is the only thing that would raise suspicion (among other things).

perhaps off but didn't dexter say he'd always seen cd as a double album or something to this effect in the ?08 chats?

Yes he did, but I assumed he meant that their next studio album would be the second part, sort of.

Didn't he also mention something about Brain working on some remixes?

UK Amazon only has the March 2nd version listed as an import, so I think you're right - it's probably the Best Buy thing.

I want How Are You Grenade cover. I want the How Are You Grenade t-shirt too: (http://images.orkut.com/orkut/photos/OgAAAGFzECocbf9lvkM8nCsF3zXTGBmnM3XTgz5DcwUjDeRhh-vgAzZz9-A6Obo_v-aLhguV3DeUw6sxjF9NGzR5VywAm1T1UPlMD7Cw4Mj-ou6xjAxCrzUAF8w6.jpg)

I hope they added the drum intro for Scraped ! that would be cool.  Didn't Axl say in one of his chat that he set up promo for future dates on purpose ?

Maybe without Rhiad  :hihi:

if they did rerecord parts wich I doubt.


Street of dreams, better, this I love have a real studio feel.
the live versions are way differend(okay street of dreams not so much but the live version Kicks ass over the studio) they should try to capture the real live versions of the songs.

?15.99 at UK amazon which is a bit pricey.............or is that the standard price for an import CD

That's usually what they charge for imports.

Do u think this might have to do with Riad? And they're probably just re-releasing it so they can put riad without the intro??  :nervous:

i thought i remembered reading somewhere that the best buy thing was only temporary

i think a new cover would be fitting... the bicycle one seemed a little boring to me

the music on chinese democracy is anything but boring

probably not - what's done is done (regarding the suit). Putting out a new copy isn't going to change things. This is just a good marketing plan (if it's true). Remember, the band released WTTJ a number of times after its initial release.

I don't understand why they would re release it already if it was exactly the same as the one thats out. People who go to the shows surely know the albums out, surely people who go to the shows tell there friends about how awsome GNR are and tell them the albums out, i dont believe the whole "new intrest in GNR" thing, it was one of the most anticipated albums, especially in the rock world

Maybe they wanna release it again with proper promo. Maybe with a music video ?

on Amazon UK it says the new version is an 'import'!

Correct me if I'm wrong, but the 'Welcome to the Jungle' single was released like 4/5 times before it finally caught on I think?

Just goes to show, persistence pays off ;)

Doesnt that cost more money? for the record company or whatever? i mean, if they were so stubborn to do it first time round, why would they do it now ???

If FYE is going to be carrying it, I'd say the Best Buy deal would be done.  I would hope IF it is re-released things are handled a little more traditionally this time around.

FYE does have some imports though, so they could import the CD from elsewhere. Have seen that done before.


Of course it costs money, but WTTJ wasn't a big hit the first couple times it was released but finally caught on. Maybe that'll be the trick here with Chinese Democracy? Who knows.

Ogg Vorbis Video File? ... maybe it has somethign to do with the free download you get when you buy the vinyl?

maybe its just a new pressing of the album...you see this from time to time

like a 2nd edition printing of a novel you may buy at a book store?

no one at all thinks that this could be volume 2?

12-14 new tracks...

the second part of the album Axl envisioned??

after the way the album sold why would they re package it? it would make more sence to get the whole Chinese Democracy package out there while they are touring so they can promote both cd's ....

I know it sounds far fetched but that makes more sence

Obviously it would be a treat for us fans if the new release includes any bonus tracks or any other extra feature. But even if it is just the new cover version, the timing couldn't be better with all the touring at the moment. It's another chance to get Chinese Democracy a bit of promotion and hopefully the casual fans who haven't purchased the album, will do so after attending an amazing show.


Lee

That would be great, but Axl did say they'd like to focus on CD right now, tour it properly, and give it the attention it deserves.

Of course things often change in the land of GNR, so who knows.  New material would be great, but I wouldn't hold your breath.

it seems that they would have played some of these live already...very far fetched thought!!!  i would bank on no changes, just a different cover or something like that

Yup... You've gotta remember CD was a limited release... All they are doing now(or so it  seems), is making it available wide spread.. Bonus track?? Maybe... 12-14 new? no way!

when Axl was on with Eddie Trunk a few years back, wasn't there some mention about Axl telling Seb Bach to re-release STTG back in the day, and they made a joke or something about just continue re-releasing it until it catches on??

not that anything that happened in the 80's or 90's has any relevance to today's market. still, it wouldn't surprise me if this was being re-released. especially considering that they may have ran into some difficulties with getting the ball rolling after it was oringially released in 2008.

i'm not sure what the additional costs would be, and aside from some additional promotion, i'm not real clear on the benefits of a re-release either.

i'm not expecting anything new, but if there is it'll be a great surprise. i'd be psyched if there were just a new booklet and/or a vinyl that doesn't skip.

CD II would be part of this collection of music so to introduce it during this tour is not really changing the focus of the type of music.

It is considered an import on the Canadian sites so I think the guess that this is coming out after the original bestbuy deal expired is correct.  Though it does of a 2010 printing so a bonus track or 2 would be sweet

Yeah, he did say that.  I wouldn't be surprised if this just isn't the alternate cover with the different booklet pictures that were leaked last year.  If it's true I'm buying 2 copies!

Just been reading a similar thread over on gnrevolution....pretty big consensus over there that this is just a re-release of the album we already have....just to boost sales whilst gnr are active.

Be great if we could get some sort of confirmation from fernando, beta or Axl that we are in fact getting something different :drool:

Whatever is released, I hope that this time Axl is happy with the final product...cover/artwork, credits, tracks, track order etc. More like he originally envisaged the CD to be. Perhaps they have approval for the other cover now?

 

if its the version Axl wanted to have out in the first place with correct cover, booklet, lyrics, credits etc. then there aint high chances for additional tracks like new songs, demos, live. because otherwise we would have them on the 1st issue allready, right? all speculation but it could very well be that he'll say "THIS is the album how it should have been out, this is what i want(ed) you to see and hear!"

well, even if so....first day buyer here  :peace:

Meaning different mixes??

We have also seen re-release dates for AFD and it turn out to be the same version. So I think this means nothing. Hopefully im wrong...

Unfortunately if this is the case (this is the one I wanted you to see and hear) then its going to feel like the early buyers were passed off with a sub standard version. Which is why I don't think you'll hear Axl say this, especially if Best Buy have a million or so copies of the 'old' version sitting in storage. That depreciates they're stock straight away which can't be great for business.

The other problem I can see is that is if it is re-released with a couple of new tracks - didn't VR do this - it seems again like the original buyers have to dig deep simply and buy a new album just for a couple of new tracks. Which is why I'd prefer them to release any new material as a completely new product - maybe a new EP or something.

doesnt fernando post on this board all the time?

cant he just tell us what it is?

If it's got something different to the original release on it (bonus tracks... some live ones would be superb!  :drool:) then I'll definitely be buying it. If it's the same CD then it's still good news - Like others here have mentioned, with the tour in full force more and more people are getting interested in the band.

But i cant see the point in re-release it. Anyone?

I didn't read the whole topic but who says it's a re-release anyway? Maybe it's just the same thing but with a 'new' release date now that the best buy deal (probably) ended..

Best Buy is also releasing it in March...

A re-release with a new cover/booklet with a music video or something makes sense to me. They are out there now touring, the momentum is there.

Re-releasing cd's is common right ? Didn't Rihanna re-release her album a few years ago with about 2 or 3 new songs added ?

it does to me even without a music video.
providing  the details are right, it's possible that the re release has extras. cds can have a dl link while vinyls can't, i believe.

Who "dig deep" to buy an album?   :-X

I would love if it is a re-release with some additional tracks (live versions, re-recorded AFD-tracks or new...)

I would buy it without thinking twice!   :beer:

I think it'd be a good idea to release a version with a new song (or a few : ok:). That way, with a wider release, and the good press the band has been getting, i believe a lot of people would give the album a fair chance now. And fans like me would be more than happy to buy another copy to hear the new music (yeah, we could just download it, and for any other band i probably would. But i would definitely buy a new copy to support the band).  Should be interesting to see what this "re-release" actually is.

I would buy a re-release of the album especially now that my copy is scratched up. I need to take better care of CDs in the car.

/\/\/\/\ This.

Can't someone in the know help us out?

im so buying it whatever as well cos i wanted to buy us copies. might help the us sales a bit(well not much) and it's cheaper!

 if there will be extras, i vote for remixes than for new songs.
cos the cd1 songs shine live and should be heard. id rather the upcoming shows will have enough room for them as the recent shows.

http://www.imusic.dk/cd/0602527347141/guns-n-roses-2010-chinese-democracy-cd

It says 23 feb. Im sure its nothing.... ::)

A source at Universal says:

Yes, we are releasing it to all customers and it will be managed by our catalog group instead of IGA. The exclusivity of the Best Buy deal is done. Nothing new is on the record, the UPC is just different because the other piece was exclusive.

UPC ???

UPC Universal product code ???

I see.  I guess that makes sense.  But still is there new artwork, cover, etc.?  Why would Best Buy get more copies of the re-issue if there's nothing different?  I'm quite sure they haven't sold out of the initial shipment just yet.

On Universal's database, it lists a digital re-release of 'Chinese Democracy' for Feb 23 2010, UPC (Universal Product Code) 602527347141.

It further lists a CD re-release for Mar 3rd 2010, UPC 602527347141, and a Double Vinyl re-release for the same date, UPC 602527347158.

The sale sheet has the same tracklist and cover as the original release.

I do not think there will be anything new attached to this re-release.

If it was new material I would buy this in a heart beat.  However, I still have a bag of these CDs in my closet from the day that Chinese Democracy was released

(http://www.mypictureshare.com/img/g/P.gif)

They should do the new cover though. I for instance would definitely buy 2 more cd's just to have all 3 covers :)

To say its being re-released is wrong. It would have to be out of stock first and it isn't. At best its being relaunched, at worst its being returned to different suppliers and left at that.

There is no new album cover on the promotional sales sheet for the re-release. The undernoted italicized text is written to promote CD. It prints the bicycle cover, and an unchanged tracklist. At the bottom left it says "LP config; 180 Gram, Gatefold Jacket". At the bottom right it lists the barcode and another code for both the double vinyl and the CD. LP barcode is 6-02527-34715. CD barcode is 6-02527-34614. The other code states double vinyl 2-LP-B0014122-01 and for the compact disc CD-C0014122-02.

One of the most highly anticipated albums in rock history, 2008?s CHINESE DEMOCRACY, was the first album of new material from Guns N? Roses since 1991?s simultaneous release of Use Your Illusion I and Use Your Illusion II. With a frenzied energy, Guns N? Roses arrived on the music scene in the mid-?80s and rock was never the same.

Produced by Axl Rose and Caram Costanzo, CHINESE DEMOCRACY includes 14 tracks. Featuring the title track and first single from the album, ?Chinese Democracy?, as well as ?Shackler's Revenge? which made its debut in the ?Rock Band 2? videogame and ?If The World? which was featured in the film Body Of Lies.

Nineteen years ago, the two previous original albums from one of rock?s most intense and compelling bands, Use Your Illusion I and Use Your Illusion II, were issued simultaneously, a first for any contemporary artist. Debuting #2 and #1, respectively, they featured three gold hits with ?November Rain? (#3), ?Don?t Cry? (#10) and the previously released Top 30 ?You Could Be Mine? from the film Terminator II: Judgement Day, plus another Top 40 with ?Live And Let Die.? Each album went seven times platinum.

The band?s 1987 full-length debut Appetite For Destruction has sold more than 28 million copies worldwide (18 times platinum in the U.S.) and is among the biggest-selling albums in history. The #1 album notched three Top 10 hits ? the gold anthem ?Welcome To The Jungle? and #1 ?Sweet Child O? Mine? plus ?Paradise City.? 1988?s #2, five times platinum G N? R Lies yielded the gold Top 5 ?Patience.? After the Use Your Illusion duo, 1994?s ?The Spaghetti Incident?? cover album reached #4 and platinum.

In 1999, a live album earned gold and in 2004 the band?s only Greatest Hits collection peaked at #3 and earned quadruple platinum. Overall, Guns N? Roses has sold more than 90 million records worldwide.

It is a re-release, nothing more.

90 Million, that is impressive.     

Well now we know, I guess.  Too bad Best Buy never got that video they were supposedly "promised" during their exclusive period.  I think promotion for the album is pretty much at a standstill at this point, aside from the touring of course.  So while it would be nice to see some videos and more singles released, you certainly can't complain about the current state of GNR.

Real shame there's no approved artwork coming....

Got my hopes up and pre-ordered....and just cancelled!

Dexter will we ever see Chinese the way it should be seen?? ???

Duh.. I'm actually glad they used the bike-cover. That's what they showed in China back in 2002 right? That's what we were all waiting for. It's called nostalgia ;)
I would've loved to see some different covers too, just to have them. But "the way it should be seen" is a bit too much lol ;)

Yes, this is how I feel as well. I have always liked the bike cover, since this is how the album cover was described in 2002 by Axl. I also feel this is a good thing even if it is just a re release as at least it will create some promotion. As GN'R are touring at the moment it makes sense to re release it as people going to the shows might be more encouraged to purchase a copy if they haven't already done so.


Lee

The way CD was released is the way we have it and the way we know it, whether we love it or hate it. It's a little past the stage of changing or correcting now we all have our minds made up.

I absolutely love it by the way.

It's a shame its nothing new... but hey :P

And... I still need the vinyl version. Yes, "need" not "want"  :hihi:

The only way for that to be done is put the album on 3 LPs.  Or it could be possible to re-order the tracklist, but I don't think there are enough "simple" or unlayered songs for that to work.  Maybe put TIL, If The World, at the end of the LP instead of Catcher and IRS.  Prositute is ok since it is not that far into the last disc.  SOD would probably be a the fourth song to choose but that had issues with IGD too.  Sorry could work but that gets very busy at the end.

Or the expensive solution.  Look at upgrading your turntable and cartridge.   I have no distortion issues with CD(anymore).

I have an ok turntable but I need to look into the better cartridge idea. I've heard more than a few people say that it helps.

It'd be more logical if Universal fixed the release instead of making the fans upgrade their stereos...



/jarmo

Well drop me a line should you decide to upgrade and I can give you a few recommendations.  It is also important to match the cartridge to the mass of your tonearm as well.  Vinyl and system tweaking is kind of my obession.   I've got the whole thing down pat.  I almost gave up on vinyl because of CD, glad I didn't.  I haven't listened to music so much since I've been 14.

But that isn't going to happen anytime soon. Universal seems to not care about this record for whatever reason and that sucks for the fans.

then again, what about the Ogv thing?

Universal and logic in the same sentence when it comes to Guns?  They did screw the pooch on the vinyl, should have been 3 LPs.

In terms of the upgrades. CD is not the only album to suffer the ill effects of inner groove distortion (although it is the worst I have heard), it is drawback of the vinyl medium.  Moreso for newer releases since tracklistings usually are not picked based on where they will end up on the LP.  So the upgrade would not only solve CD but any other LP that has "busy" songs  on the inner grooves.  

There are these test records people buy to align their cartridges, I think they should just buy a best buy CD vinyl, if you can get that thing to play perfectly, you're set.

I will hit you up soon and get some into on the stylus issue. Just curious, what am I gonna be paying for a good one?

I hope they at least update the information on the disc this time around.  My car stereo has the ability to show the name of the band, song title, and album information on the screen...but the original "Chinese Democracy" didn't even have this information updated on it.  This along with a mess of lyrics in the book...among other things...leads me to believe Axl was pushed to rush this out there...and being the perfectionist that he is...he spited them by not promoting it by any means, perhaps.  It would make sense anyway.  I just couldn't believe that my copy didn't have any information on it.  The copy I burned before hand off the computer onto a blank cd had all the information on it...but the actual purchased studio copy didn't have anything.  I was pretty disappointed.  Hopefully this one will update everything that was wrong or rushed the first time around.

Depending on your turntable/tonearm....$100-$180.  There was one a year or so ago, the Audio Technica AT440mla that sold for under $90.  It has this "microline" type stylus, which is a really small tip which really fits into the grooves, allowing it to track better. The mistracking of the stylus is what you hear in the form of inner groove distortion.  The bigger the stylus tip (which all cheaper stylus/cartridges have) the harder it is for the stylus to track the smaller inner grooves.  However once word got out that the AT440mla was an innner groove distortion killer for $90, demand skyrocketed and the price increased dramatically ($160-$225) to the point there are cheaper options. I was lucky enough to snag one when it was cheaper.  

I aslo use a Denon Dl-160 ($180), which has a bit cheaper version DL-110 which is $139.  That has a very small elliptical diamond stylus, not as great of a tracker as the Audio Techinca, but it sounds better and does a great job with the inner tracks.  The Denons are best suited for heavier tonearms.  The Denons however are high output moving coil cartridges, and although they work on most phono preamps, they might not work on all of them because they are lower gain output than the standard moving magnet cartridge. You also cannot replace the stylus like you can on moving magnet cartridges.

There is another Audio Techinca cartridge I have yet to try that  I also think would do the job well, $120.  As far as the cheapest option, the Shure M97xe can be had for around $60, but I find it dull, although it may improve the sound on the inner tracks of CD than what you currently have.  Also, I don't know what cartridge you currently have but there may be an option of just replacing the stylus instead of the whole shabang.  If your happy with the sound minus the IGD, that may a good way to go if its possible.

Sorry for the longwinded response, I only have one buddy who is also a vinyl addict like me, so I have all of this useless knowledge wanting to get out.

maybe they remastered it?

Thank you very much for the detailed info!!



Lucky-
It's already been confirmed that there is nothing different at all about this release other than the UPC code.

so its just a re-release 1,5years after the official first one? nothing in change, same booklet errors and all?  ???

Yes. I posted earlier that a trusted source at Uni confirmed that it's exactly the same release in every way except for the UPC code.

Whatever you say about the album, there is absolutely no way anyone can seriously accuse it of being rushed out.

LOL, very true.  I meant like after he signed a new deal or whatever...they pushed him or rushed him from that point to put it out.  I can't imagine a perfectionist like Axl Rose being ok with the Chinese Democracy album that was put out (other than the music that he put into it).  Lots of information missing from the CD, incorrect lyrics, etc.  Probably made him a little upset lol

I think you're trying to say CD was released against Axl's wishes when it was released and I agree...

Why else would the book be f'd up, no tour, promo blah blah...

But oh well! We got a rockin album, and now a kick ass tour!!

BINGO!!!

That's my guess, too...that the BB exclusive deal is over, and other retailers will start carrying it.

Because BB's exclusivity is likely over...so you "re-release" it to get it out to other music retailers (like FYE, Amazon, etc).

Remember, in the US...you could ONLY buy CD at Best Buy.  Or at a "mom and pop" who went to BB, bought a bunch of copies, and re-sold them.  Or as an import in a specialty shop.

Yes, I most certainly agree.  The album, musically, is a masterpiece.  And while I haven't seen him live since 2006 (both at Hammerstein and MSG), he sounded amazing then...and from what I hear...he still sounds amazing now.  Pretty great considering he's nearing 50 years old (still can't believe that lol)

ive been saying that it's a misbelief that you sing worse as you get old.

That only happens to people named Whitney Houston lol

i thought the sound was kinda low on cd. it was really clean but low. Now we wouldn't want something like death Magnetic for sure, but if they turned the volume up a little bit, it would be great, but aparently the release won't have anything different from the CD we all bought

If it's just the regular cd we own already, whu would bestbuy be listing it as a new release with 'image coming soon'?

Surely if it is just the album with an alternate cover the cost wouldn't be increased as much as it is. Why do I have a feeling we're in for a treat?

For those who may have missed it, here's the info once more directly from a source inside Universal:

Yes, we are releasing it to all customers and it will be managed by our catalog group instead of IGA. The exclusivity of the Best Buy deal is done. Nothing new is on the record, the UPC is just different because the other piece was exclusive.

There is nothing new. It is exactly the same piece with a different UPC code now because the first one's UPC was exclusive to Best Buy.

Not trying to shit on anyone, but I'd hate to see people keep getting their hopes up over the next few weeks when this information has already been confirmed.

Thank-you for bringing us back down to earth with this comment, at least we know what is happening now. :hihi:

I was just puzzled because I posted that info a few days ago and still saw people guessing at what the re-release could be. I was really hoping it was more/something special too.

ouch!!
its done the right way to keep all the dynamics like it always has been before the loudness wars set in. Axl and the gang had 3 different versions to pick, all had some compressing on it and they decided to use the one with the lowest cmpression to keep dynamics more natural. audiophiles are grateful for that!!

please check this shortclip which explains it easy but very effectly:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3Gmex_4hreQ

but to help you out......hifi devices normally have some volume buttom, just turn it up  ;)

And why wouldnt they just put a picture of the current album cover on these sites, if its supposedly the same?

Exactly, not that I know, but surely the album won't be released with the same incorrect booklet and cover?

I totally agree with you that it kept the dynamics, but still.. the volume was a little down for me... its great on stereo systems definitely, but it sucks on my Mp3 player. And believe me i have a really good one!

On normal albums the volume is on 19 or 18, for CD i have to put it on the 24! to be exactly the same value as the other albums on the 18 or 19. It kinda bothers me.

I really think that the final master should be better. Some sounds are really irritatingly louder than others.

For example on shackler's revenge, the last part of the solo is shadowed by Axl voice and its really compressed that it almost looks like a demo! Just an example. I really like the album no doubt about it though and im not criticizing, its just not my style of listening i guess. I even have the equalizer on my ipod set up for CD only. With the other albums i use a different set up.

From what I'm told; yes. That's exactly what's happening.

well, it mostly just comes down to (still happening!) loudness vs. quality best described on the youtube-sample "you own the volume knob - not the record producer". when you have a lot of LOUD records you off course wonder when playing a some more "silent" record why that is the case and you have to "fix it" yourself by adjusting the volume. analogy: see it like having a bunch of bad apples with only one good inside, you wonder if thats the bad one......which in fact really isnt. qualitywise (not musicwise) in terms of dynamics and compression there cant be real audiophiles NOT liking the album.

the shackler part might just be a mixing problem from personal listening taste, and i kinda agree on that: Axl's voice is often too loud in the mix and i'd like to have guitars some louder, exspec. in "sorry". but also see the other side: what would have been if whole CD would have his voice way too silent all the time? his voice simply is the most important part on this comeback album, he owns the GN'R name not Finck, Dizzy whoever.....and just imagine the world critics....

back on topic:
so if thats the Best-Buy-deal ending i'm all up for that, still leaves room for an future re-release with correct booklets and maybe some nice bonus.

Universal said nothing new is on the record. A bit of a stretch, but a new booklet isn't something which is on the record.

You got some great points Limulus. I just listened to Shacklers to kinda remember myself what i don't like so much... and its that part where Axl says at the end "I don't believe and the reason i don't... i don't believe..." I don't even think its Axl voice, i think its more the Guitar parts being so compressed.. its like there is a noise between Axl's voice and the solo separating both, but on the solo it gets that compressed vibe that the "Oh My God" demo had. See what i mean?

I mean it all comes down to really how you like to listen to the songs really.

In catcher for example, theres an irritating piano noise constantly hiting that i really hate, and probably if that sound was a little bit lower it would be better.
Its just on certain songs really. It looks like most of the songs are done by one producer and the rest are done by another producer that has a totally different and more compressed sound, if you know what i mean.
Songs like Better,Chinese Democracy, If The World, Street of Dreams and Riad, to me sound less compressed then for example Shacklers,  Madagascar and others.

On Sorry, i would have liked for Sebastian's voice to be a little louder even though i wanted it as a background only and Axl voice has to be louder of course. On Shacklers i think Axl should have done the vocal tracks over again, same with Madagascar.

I think the problem in the more industrial songs like Shacklers is that Axl probably tried to get that NIN feel to the songs and mix it with GNR. And if you check NIN songs, which you probably know very well by now, theres almost no difference between the volume of the guitars and Reznor's voice, its almost like its all put it in solo mono sound.
When Axl mixed that with GNR though.. he mixed it with a more classical solo sound which is what GNR solos usually sound like, and thats probably why his voice is a little stronger and kinda overshadows the solo a bit.

CD is great though, and i love the album especially cause of all the sounds and backgrounds going on in the songs.

Yeah, that's what I thought/hoped initially.  ON the record, wouldn't be referring to the cover or artwork.  BUT, it is looking like there's nothing new here.

So they're going to release Rhiad how it stands while there is a pending lawsuit?

Its probably not considered a release, since the album was already released

The exlusivity of the album as opposed to a straight all out release still makes a difference in court if they decide to side with Schnauss.  It may not be much of a difference...but it still could be something. 

Exactly... Why press more copies with this pending?? If they do rule in favor of this guy, could be more $$ for him... Although if I remember correctly he is going for a flat $1 Million, so who knows

Being a "poorman's" audiophile, I absolutely love that CD was mastered the way it was.  Chinese Democracy starts out low, then boom..it shakes the house...they way music would sound live. My wife likes Hinder and I used that LP to explain the loudness issue to her, it is all the same volume.  She is now a convert.  That may sound better with the $3 earbuds, but on a decent stereo is sounds like rubbish.   At the same time I understand that today digital and I tunes rule, so I get why newer music is mastered for loud Ipod, and not for the dinosaurs like me who sit in their livingroom playing vinyl.  Although you'd think it can't be that hard to have a master for Itunes and a master for physical media, but I wouldn't know how that works from a business sense. 

Come Match 3rd, I am going to be cheesy and whenever I go to Target/Walmart I am going to check the G section and see if CD is there.

Maybe this time it won't skip, and it will be a perfect copy.   I had to exchange my vinyl copy about 10 times and I still don't have a copy that doesn't skip..

If it is a new pressing, maybe.  But if it is the same pressing with a different UPC code, same issues.  Might be worth $17 to find out.

Good question.

One possible reason is that, since BB still has the exclusive (right up until the 3rd), that no other retailer has the right to display the cover art until the official expiration of the exclusivity.

I don't KNOW tha'ts what's going on, FYI...but it's possible.

"Sorry, the page you requested was not found"

apparently bestbuy (http://www.bestbuy.com/site/olspage.jsp?_dyncharset=ISO-8859-1&_dynSessConf=-1319448626502631610&id=pcat17071&type=page&st=chinese+democracy&sc=albumTitleSP&cp=1&nrp=15&sp=&qp=&list=n&iht=y&usc=%A0-Album&ks=960) doesn't have the re release in cd format anymore.

but on vinyl.

Why is their a release date of 2/23/10 for CD on their myspace page?

http://music.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=music.artistalbums&artistid=5320152&albumid=15066693

Chinese Democracy
Guns N Roses
genre: Rock
label: Geffen
released: 02/23/10

So when is Chinese D going to be appearing on the shelves at Target and shit? If the deal is done, why wait?

The 'Full Length Digital' re-release date for CD was 02/23/10. The physical re-release date (i.e. CD) is 03/03/10.

Is there any advertising for this?

It's available for order through any outlet at this time. If any chain has interest in the record (in the US) it will be sitting in their back room waiting to be stocked on shelves tomorrow.

According to Target it'll be onsale tomorrow.

http://www.target.com/dp/B0038DWYJG/sr=1-2-mmb/qid=1267491370/ref=sr_2_2/181-8198419-3690059?ie=UTF8&search-alias=tgt-index&frombrowse=0&index=target&rh=k:chinese%20democracy&page=1

fucking awesome.  i wonder if the album will break back into the top of the charts again now that people can actually buy it.

wishful thinking but i don't see it doing to much/anymore damage !! ???

Plenty of people could've bought it at Best Buy. Uni chose to not promote the record properly. So until that changes, I wouldn't keep up hope. Not trying to be negative, but the problem lies with Uni not with where you can find the album.

indeed, the only thing promoting this record now is the SA tour and nothing more.
I think it wasn't just Universal's fault. but a lot of people involved.

to not promote this album was a bad risk and they blew it with that.
There were proper tools to promote it but some people just decided not to persue them.

I just went into a Target here in CT and there were no signs of Chinese Democracy.

Definitly, and people need to realise that.

Right. As previously started; if the buyers for those stores have interest in the record, you'll see it there. If they don't, you won't.

And I cannot stress enough; Chinese Democracy being available anywhere other than Best Buy is not the key to unlocking album sales.

I realize that.  I was just stating that I checked out a Target store today and there was no sign of Chinese Democracy. I realize the sales wouldn't see a spike, but it's not a good sign that stores now CAN carry the album and aren't. I mean, that's a major band with a major release on a major label.  Stores usually stock albums that fall under those categories.

Of course it's only the first day and I only checked one store, so who knows what will transpire.

The point I'm making is that Chinese is now a catalog release. So it's not something that they would order unless they had a reason to. For example, when MJ passed away, everyone stocked up on Bad, Thriller, Number Ones, etc. That's the status CD is in for order with these places.  If there were a reason to order it, they would. If a reason eventually happens, they will then.

I see what you're saying.  So in essence, even though the Best Buy exclusive is technically over, if other stores decide not to order copies of CD, all things stay the same.  Maybe they'll get some copies in if/when they tour the US?

Exactly. Let's say the US tour starts around September as Frank hinted. If it's any sort of success or a single is released and get played alot, then places like Target, Wal-Mart, etc would probably order up copies and have them on hand on their regular stock.