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By Keith Crane
Fourteen years. That is a long time. Fourteen years is more time than what we put into our pre–collegiate schooling. Fourteen years is surely a long time. It has been fourteen years since Guns N’ Roses last released a studio album, with the last being The Spaghetti Incident released in 1993. It is now the end of 2008, and it has finally happened.
On November 23, Axl Rose finally decided to release Chinese Democracy. This Guns N’ Roses is not the Guns N’ Roses of the late 80s and early 90s. There is no Slash, there is no Duff McKagan, and no Izzy Stradlin or Matt Sorum. There is only one original member left, that being Axl Rose.
Slash, McKagan, and Sorum have kept busy. A little project that many people know about, Velvet Revolver. Velvet Revolver contains Slash, McKagan, Sorum, Dave Kushner, and Scott Weiland. They have released two CD that had success. But as of earlier this year the band went on an indefinite hiatus, and no further plans for Velvet Revolver are in the making.
Let’s get back to Chinese Democracy. This album isn’t your typical Guns N Roses album. The first song on the album is “Chinese Democracy.” The song is a great way to start the album. It sets a tone.
The song is a heavy, reminder of the old GNR, and Axl sings a little different. He doesn’t sing the high long–lasting notes that it seems that he has felt so comfortable with. Rose sings like he is mad. That is the best way to describe it. There is no saying that he sounds like a cross between anybody because nobody comes close to having the same vocals as Axl. He is one of a kind.
Besides Chinese Democracy there are some other good stand out songs like “Shackler’s Revenge,” “Better,” “There was a time,” and “Catcher in the Rye.” This album is put together very well. A nice mix of fast up–beat songs with a few slower songs. You can tell Axl put everything he has into making this album. He does deserve his props.
There are six guitarists on this album. Including Axl, Buckethead, Robin Finck, Ron Tahl, Paul Tobias, and Richard Fortus. Also on the track, “Sorry,” Sebastian Bach, formerly of Skid Row, provides background vocals. So you’re wondering, is it worth my money? Well if you enjoyed the old GNR, the answer would have to be yes. The album is very complete and almost fulfilling, but it leaves you wanting more.
Chinese Democracy is said to be the first of three albums in a series from Guns N’ Roses. So what will be the first to happen? Axl will release all three albums? The Cubs win a world series? Another trip to the moon? Find life on Mars? The Sun burn out? You get my point. Chinese Democracy is a good album. But, was it worth a fourteen year wait and a supposed $13 Million to make? It wasn’t worth the wait, but now that it is here it’s worth buying, and it is a solid album. So, don’t hold your breath for the other two albums to come out anytime soon.
Heck, you never know. Maybe Axl will sing take me out to the ballgame during the 7th inning stretch during the Cubs World Series game..
3.5 out 5 Stars
(Dec. 5)
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