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Guns N' Roses "Chinese Democracy" Review ? 5 out of 5 stars

Thu, 01 Dec 2011 10:32:53

In 2008, Guns N' Roses unleashed a new classic with Chinese Democracy.

Almost exactly three years since the album's release, it still reverberates with the same intensity, perhaps even more since the band is playing select cuts nightly on tour right now. Still, looking at the band's revered catalog?Appetite for Destruction, G N' R Lies, Use Your Illusion I, Use Your Illusion II, and The Spaghetti Incident??Chinese Democracy is a masterpiece in its own right. There are a few reasons for that.

Mastermind Axl Rose constructed Chinese Democracy as a record that's meant to be experienced from start to finish. A cackle of voices and sirens set the stage for the ticking time bomb riff at the beginning the title track. His voice gets deep on the verse, practically bellowing out firestarter lyrics, "I know that I'm a classic case. Watch my disenchanted face." It's impossible not to look away once the incendiary refrain begins. Everything spirals out into a deluge of solos, and the final howl culminates with a big bang. Among Guns N' Roses openers like "Welcome to the Jungle" and "Right Next Door to Hell", "Chinese Democracy" is a 21st century powder keg primed to blow on stage or on your iPod.

After a snaky wah sound, industrial flourishes color the dreamily destructive "Shackler's Revenge". Rose darkly croons, "I'm going to pull the trigger and blow them all away". He certainly does as soon as his heavenly high falsetto rises on the chorus. Underneath, his impeccable delivery the song plummets into jagged shredding.

"Better" tows the line from elegant soulfulness to full-blown arena rocker as it flies on the wings of another bluesy lead. Rose simply sounds on fire, seamlessly shifting between his baritone crooning into that scream that revolutionized rock music. His classy piano line adds an epic heft to "Street of Dreams" that makes for another mega ballad to sit proudly on your playlist alongside "November Rain" and "Knockin' On Heaven's Door". After a Spaghetti Western style hum, the six-minute plus "There Was A Time" continues down that path a little later on that album, winding down a darker road simultaneously.

"If the World" shimmies from Latin guitars into airy electronics that sees Rose treading new ground victoriously again. Chinese Democracy envelopes an entire spectrum of genres flawlessly, connecting to Rose's constant boundary-pushing. "Riad N' the Bedouins" is a symphonic rocker that comes to life with a surge of energy directly from that undeniable, unmistakable voice.

"Prostitute" stands alongside Rose's proudest moments as a writer. It balances an orchestral verse alongside lyrical prose that's utterly transfixing. Lines like "I told you when I found you all that amounts to is love that you've crippled for fortune and fame" resound palpably, especially when supported by such impeccable soloing.

Ultimately, Chinese Democracy is exactly everything that a timeless record should be. It has the requisite instrumental virtuosity, daring moments, unpredictable shifts, and the best voice in rock 'n' roll.

You can witness it live right now as Guns N' Roses is rolling across the United States. Experience one of the shows and spin Chinese Democracy again for the full effect?

? Rick Florino
11.29.11

http://www.artistdirect.com/entertainment-news/article/guns-n-roses-chinese-democracy-review-5-out-of-5-stars/9805309




/jarmo

Finally somebody who gets it! :beer:

I was just about to post that one  ;)

Great stuff! I think Chinese will gradually sink in with a lot more people, as Axl himself said in the TMS interview - "I think it will do a lot more".

Again. Nice to read another positive interview. Like Tommy said in a recent interview Axl is not finished with Chinese. Due to the politics and with the RC and lack of promotion maybe he wants to give it more attention it deserves.

A great and bold statement. I hope we see more reviews like this

Ultimately, Chinese Democracy is exactly everything that a timeless record should be. It has the requisite instrumental virtuosity, daring moments, unpredictable shifts, and the best voice in rock 'n' roll.

Awesome, I've been noticing more and more people starting to pull their head outta their asses.

very nice review, that was fun to read.

Hell yeah, it's a real masterpiece  :peace:, i wish they play it at least once on this tour  ;)

Nice review

Finally somebody recognized the quality of this album!

Every time i hear This I Love the same thing come to my mind:  "oh god, this music is from another world  :drool:"

it's difficult to actually enjoy an album from start to finish these days

chinese democracy is an exception... 5 stars indeed 

LOVE this!

 : ok:

"CD" is going to be looked back on as a modern classic.

Looks like that trend is already beginning...

CD is a great album. It has so much different stuff on it. Not everything is my favorite, but it's cool how diverse it is. I may not get Madagascar, but Prostitute, Sorry, Shackler's Revenge are all among my favorite tunes.
I can't disagree with a 5 of 5 star rating because the album deserves it. Yeah, maybe it didn't align the planets and create world peace or whatever, but it was a great rock-n-roll album.


Also, it sounded like a Guns N' Roses album.