GOT DEMOCRACY?

Saturday, November 22, 2008

Not too sure if anyone cares....but.....

I'VE GOT SOMETHING YOU DON'T HAVE!! Yup...that would be the sound of me tooting my own damn horn. I can thank Brandon for it. :) I got the new Guns N' Roses CD today. HeHeHe!!

SO - Here is my official review for the new Guns n' Roses album, Chinese Democracy.

Don't think for one second that you are going to plop in the disk and magically hear that kick ass sound from 1987. You see, I've had the luxury (again - thanks to Brandon) of hearing this album evolve over the course of several years. So when the album finally hit my hands, I was not at all surprised by what I was hearing. I was pleased for the most part and mildly disappointed at others. But for you, or anyone who has not heard an ounce of this, do not assume it's the old Gn'R shit. It's not. If you get stuck with that assumption, you will be very disappointed.

The sound is eclectic, intricate and at times bombastic. Over the course of 19 years, Axl had put so much thought into tiny details that if you aren't listening - really listening - you'll miss the point. And at first glance, most everyone misses the point. So overall, the album can be interpreted as mediocre at best. But after you sit and listen to those intricacies, you hear what you're meant to hear and that's when it hits you - FUCKING GENIUS.

The break down:
- Chinese Democracy: This song is the title track (obviously) as well as first single. Over all, it's got good rockin' moments and has a solid vibe.

- Shackler's Revenge: This one has a mix of borderline Rob Zombie beats mixed with a good rock bridge and chorus.

- Better: One of my faves lyrically and musically. One of the earlier demos I heard was actually "Better" than the finished version. The vocals were cleaner and the mix of instruments was a bit more logical. On the finished version toward the end, it seems to be a bit chaotic and irrational. However I did hear other versions where the end was WAY worse. So....I guess compromise was made.

- Street of Dreams: A nice little "Use Your Illusions" ditty. The orchestration in it is nicely done.

- If the World: Great Spanish guitar part and funky rhythm that is uncharacteristic of Gn'R. The bass line reminds me of the song, "Digging in the dirty" by Peter Gabriel. It's roots are totally porn.

- There was a Time: Lyrically powerful and musically intricate. Another fave of mine. It rocks but it does slip into "Illusion" moments.

- Catcher in the Rye: Another "Illusion" type sprout however it's not as powerful as some of his other songs.

- Scraped: This is the song I do not like. Acappella stuff in the beginning (which he should never do again) and jarring music. It's like Red Hot Chili Peppers from 1991, mixed with a smidgen of Backstreet Boys and crack. Not good.

-Riad n' the Bedouins: This has fun craziness. It's Led Zepplin on Crank. Not one that I'm keen on but it's tolerable.

- Sorry: This is a very powerful song. I think that this is in my 2nd to the most favorite song. It's raw emotion, melancholy backdrop, and pointed lyrics make this song something worthy of everyone's attention.

- I.R.S.: I like this song. It's like bubble gum. It's got pop. This is one where you have to really listen to what's going on with the instruments to sort of get what's going on. Otherwise, you're lost and the pace will throw you off.

- Madagascar: This is the genius song. I fell in love with this song over 2 years ago and it still breaks my heart. I love it. It also has a melancholy backdrop mixed with a sort of hip-hop type beat until it starts to really get into the song. Vocally, it's rough but I think that his vocals were left raw intentionally.

- This I Love: It's like an early 80's love story. Good orchestra parts. Enough said.

- Prostitute: I totally dig this song. The beginning is so-so, but the bridge is so super and chorus is divine. Axl was noted as saying that he really wanted the drums to sound like the drums from "Teen Spirit". And yes, if you listen, you will hear it. The guitar solo is alright...it's the background (again) that is enjoyable.

So, that's what I think. Go to the link I have on the title, the album is streaming on their MySpace page.

I'm "just me" and I've just liberated you.