Chinese Democracy's Legacy

[D-GenerationX]

I think over time it will grow in this almost underground sort of way. Well if Gn'R do an actual reunion etc... the sales will pop for this album too.

I have never understood this argument.

If you didn't dig it, and many people didn't dig it, its because it didn't sound like Guns N' Roses to you.

Why will that change over time?

If 'It's So Easy' and 'Scraped' sounded like 2 different bands to you in 2008, why would it be any different in 2018?

[Thorned Rose]

Well it is pretty easy to understand if you think longer than 3 seconds dude.

Chinese Democracy came with  massive hype. Massive. I mean work on the album started in 1998 or 1999. It didn't come out until 9 or 10 years later. It got press for not being out.

That is called hype. Not to mention it was under the Guns N' Roses name. So when it hit stores it was criticized badly not for the music quality, but for the long term approach to it. It underwhelmed. It didn't even go #1 in the USA.

The sales of the record, and the singles charting was poor. So the taste it leaves in people's mouths is a good album that is overrated. (NON-Gn'R fans).

This album was not a good album to attract newer/younger fans. This album has definitely kinda been forgotten outside of the normal ring of Gn'R fans I think. Also I never stated I didn't like it. I like CD, it's good. Just not great as it was supposed to be.

SO like I said, in time... I think it will be looked back on in a better way, especially if this reunion goes well, and new fans see the classic lineup or something. Mostly if they put out a new album somehow. Then it would be the follow up to "Chinese Democracy" and guess what new fans are going to buy? The previous album.

The legacy of the album from a non fanboy perspective is that it is a "good"/"okay album that took way too long. I think the album will stand the test of time.

[D-GenerationX]

The legacy of the album from a non fanboy perspective is that it is a "good"/"okay album that took way too long. I think the album will stand the test of time.

Agreed.

I just tend to roll my eyes at the talk that it was just too complex, a misunderstood masterpiece, or how it will appreciate over time.

Seems like wishful thinking to me.  And a coping mechanism to try and explain away why people didn't dig it.

People heard it and said "...nah, not for me".  It happens.

[GypsySoul]

People heard it and said "...nah, not for me".  It happens.

Didn't Axl say basically the same thing about the reaction he was expecting some people to have to the album?  I tried to find the quote but couldn't.

[D-GenerationX]

People heard it and said "...nah, not for me".  It happens.

Didn't Axl say basically the same thing about the reaction he was expecting some people to have to the album?  I tried to find the quote but couldn't.

Yeah, it was something like that.  He did go into this with open eyes, really.

[Sosso]

People heard it and said "...nah, not for me".  It happens.

Didn't Axl say basically the same thing about the reaction he was expecting some people to have to the album?  I tried to find the quote but couldn't.

It's a very complex record, I'm trying to do something different. Some of the arrangements are kind of like Queen. Some people are going to say, 'It doesn't sound like Axl Rose, it doesn't sound like Guns N' Roses.' But you'll like at least a few songs on there.

That quote?

[GypsySoul]

It's a very complex record, I'm trying to do something different. Some of the arrangements are kind of like Queen. Some people are going to say, 'It doesn't sound like Axl Rose, it doesn't sound like Guns N' Roses.' But you'll like at least a few songs on there.

That quote?

Yes that's it.  Thank you. 

[D-GenerationX]

It's a very complex record, I'm trying to do something different. Some of the arrangements are kind of like Queen. Some people are going to say, 'It doesn't sound like Axl Rose, it doesn't sound like Guns N' Roses.' But you'll like at least a few songs on there.

That quote?

Pretty perfect summation, I think.

I do not think it sounds much like Guns N' Roses, for the most part.  But there are a few tunes on there I do truly love anyway.

[norway]

I got Madagascar live. So No, the legacy is better with the live experience.

well yeah, that song (or axl) didn't work very well on the album.

If you didn't dig it, and many people didn't dig it, its because it didn't sound like Guns N' Roses to you.

huh, if u drink water from a coca-cola bottle it is not good just because it doesn't taste cola?

[norway]

'It doesn't sound like Axl Rose

I missed some of the punk voice-acrobatics, Vocaltracks were all polished and standard.

[C0ma]

huh, if u drink water from a coca-cola bottle it is not good just because it doesn't taste cola?

If you only like Cola and not water, than yes, it is not as good just because it isn't Cola.

This is the problem 'we' as fans have... you can't just accept that some people don't like something you like, or something isn't their style. I have friends who will really only listen to Country Music, but they tend to like bluesy/classic rock (like AFD)... they cringe when I have CD playing in the background at home or in the car when they are with me. It isn't their style... it isn't going to grow on them. Taste is subjective, they aren't wrong any more than you are for liking it. It means what it means to you... hold on to that, but don't let it bother you that it is never going to be universally recognized like Appetite.

[ice cream sand pig]

＾if you give someone a glass of apple juice and accidentally tell them its milk, and they take a drink without looking at it, they are likely to spit it out thinking something is wrong with the milk. but then, after you tell them oh i meant apple juice, they will realize its perfectly good apple juice. presumptions and expectations can definitely affect an experience.

but yeah, i can see how cd just isnt for everyone. i have a friend that always tries to force hip hop on me. he used to not like it as well, but now he always tries to force me to pay attention to it when were together. not sure why he expects me to change. it actually makes me like hip hop even less.

i cant help it, i just feel stupid and awkward when i listen to it. its just not me.

[norway]

I didn't like CD that much and most knew that gnr had changed line-up.

[SharkOfLargo]

The CD era - well, it's provided a lot of live shows, so fans all over have got to see GN'R in action, which is great.  We've had a great album (in my opinion anyway), that I feel still holds up well today.  My only problem is that though, we've only had ONE album of new music.  To make this era even more of a legacy I think it needed more new music.  That's just my opinion and I'm sure many of you may disagree but I really feel that, say 15-16 years, with only one new record is maybe disappointing to some. 

However, with this mini-reunion happening, I'm hoping that a brand new era is going to bring us much more new music and a massive world tour.  Here's hoping anyway.

[Drew]

It's a very complex record, I'm trying to do something different. Some of the arrangements are kind of like Queen. Some people are going to say, 'It doesn't sound like Axl Rose, it doesn't sound like Guns N' Roses.' But you'll like at least a few songs on there.

I think Axl pretty much nailed it for me.

[zombux]

it definitely is a complex album, and quite a modern one. too bad 1) it wasn't released in its original raw shape around 2000, 2) it was re-shaped and re-recorded so many times, that the original spirit is gone, replaced with quite a different sound in its final form, 3) many parts of it still sound like unfinished demos, 4) only this tiny piece of all recorded material got actually released.
wasted opportunities, talents, time and money - not that I mean it totally negative, I actually like most of the songs! just trying to find the realistic point of view

[D-GenerationX]

huh, if u drink water from a coca-cola bottle it is not good just because it doesn't taste cola?

Has what has been established as what Coca-Cola is and tastes like already been around for 20 years?  Which people came to like and appreciate?

And then you changed the entire formula, but still stuck in a Coca-Cola bottle?  And then when people said they didn't like it, you asked them what their problem was because they had always been Coca-Cola fans, and still says Coca-Cola right on the bottle?

I believe this exact scenario played out, if memory serves.  It was called New Coke.  Didn't really land.

[zombux]

wrong logic. people now seem to be expecting 1989-1991 again. obviously not happening, because it was 25 years ago. GNR evolved, band members are not 25-30 years old anymore, but around 50. everything has changed. having some old chaps on the podium, pretending it's 1988 again, obviously can't work at all. the expectations seem a bit impossible, I think.

[Wooody]

huh, if u drink water from a coca-cola bottle it is not good just because it doesn't taste cola?

Has what has been established as what Coca-Cola is and tastes like already been around for 20 years?  Which people came to like and appreciate?

And then you changed the entire formula, but still stuck in a Coca-Cola bottle?  And then when people said they didn't like it, you asked them what their problem was because they had always been Coca-Cola fans, and still says Coca-Cola right on the bottle?

I believe this exact scenario played out, if memory serves.  It was called New Coke.  Didn't really land.

Bahaha, that reminds me of someone.
Well, at least it had Sugar !

[norway]

I really feel that, say 15-16 years, with only one new record is maybe disappointing to some. 

Probably the understatement of the year

 

It was called New Coke. 

mhm