Geffen has CHINESE DEMOCRACY

[abcdefz]

Ironic, considering current events, but there you go.

$13 million dollars later... (http://www.avclub.com/content/newswire/geffen_has_chinese_democracy)

[hpdrifter]

I just made a bet with the fiance the other day that it was never going to come out.

Oops.

Either way, it couldn't possibly be worth $13 million and 14 years in the making.

And Axl in a reality show? There's no way, he'd freak the fuck out and punch a cameraman.

[Rock]

I don't even care about this album anymore.
I really doubt I will get it unless its on some next shit.

[hpdrifter]

I don't even care about this album anymore.
I really doubt I will get it unless its on some next shit.

Ditto.

[mickill]

Thirteen years ago, this album would probably have sold a minimum of at least 5 or 6 million copies. But the way the industry is looking, in 2010 or whenever the actual album release date is going to be set for, they'll be lucky if they break even on the money they spent in 1995 alone.

Regardless, I guess Axl had better clear up some wall space for that big RIAA Gold plaque.

[abcdefz]

If it were the original band, it'd probably do a million or so from any hardcore fans remaining.

But, yeah -- this'll be seen as Rose's solo album. Gold might even be optimistic.

[mickill]

Let's not forget that this is just part one of Axl's planned album trilogy. At this rate, the second installment should see the light of day in 2023, while the third is slated to arrive sometime during the next ice age.

Either way, we're talking combined sales in excess of well over 1.5 million copies.

[abcdefz]

*begins holding breath*

[roosta]

Jokes on you, fellas.

This was all meticulously planned by Axl. He has waited until the entire worlds focus is on Red China and its Human Rights and lack of Democracy to unleash this rock-beast.

By December we will be remembering him as the man who tore down the last stronghold of Communism.

[RobMoney$]

Front (http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v304/RobMoney004/front.jpg)

Back (http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v304/RobMoney004/back1.jpg)

[mickill]

I am willing to bet my entire scrotum and its contents that that ^ is not the artwork that would be used for any official release by the band.

[RobMoney$]

The Blues (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XylV0fvakSI&feature=related)
Madagascar (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dLeGwjG4RNc)
Catcher in the Rye (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HY-IvDhJCfU&feature=related)
Checkmate (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rU-RjTPArFI&feature=related)
There was a time (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Hs1SptlPgBg)
Oh my God (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZQrxF-ORIm8)
Better (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uqWu5XLYn2c&feature=related)
I.R.S. (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7zfOu9ANt3c)
Chinese Democracy (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sDrgQqf02VY&feature=related)


FULL ALBUM SAMPLER with artwork (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rKTchhx9-kI)



These songs aren't really a secret at this point.

[TurdBerglar]

he sounds like adam sandler in the first one

[afronaut]

I am not sure if I have ever in my life cared less about anything than this.

[Kid Presentable]

^^What about all the stuff you didn't post about?

This is funny. I'm just really curious about the album. It will probably be some proto-synth-rock mess, but I'll give it a listen at least. While it's a little like comparing genital warts and herpes, I bet it will be better than Velvet Revolver's stuff.

Robert, Buckethead is out of the band.

[Kid Presentable]

he sounds like adam sandler in the first one
hahaha qft

[The Notorious LOL]

Front (http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v304/RobMoney004/front.jpg)

Back (http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v304/RobMoney004/back1.jpg)

haha there is no way that bootleg ass shit is the official album artwork

[The Notorious LOL]

the only positive about this album being released is getting free Dr Pepper

[abcdefz]

This is funny. I'm just really curious about the album. It will probably be some proto-synth-rock mess, but I'll give it a listen at least.



In an interview, Axl says it's heavily influenced by Menudo and latter-days Jobriath.

[taquitos]

the only positive about this album being released is getting free Dr Pepper
Amen, brother.

(Actually, for some reason i'm usually interested in pop culture shit like this.
I would like to hear the album, most likely just to make fun of Axl Rose.)

[afronaut]

^^What about all the stuff you didn't post about?


Those things I simply just didn't care about. But this, this brought apathy to a whole new level for me, I had to post about it.

[abcdefz]

Your torpor called. Wants to know when you'll be home.

[afronaut]

Wha. Are you telling me you want me to hibernate?


Whoosh, way over my head.

[abcdefz]

Torpor also means, like... apathy, dullness.

[afronaut]

You educated folk and your words.

[RobMoney$]

Torpor also means, like... apathy, dullness.

mirthless even.

[taquitos]

i don't know what happened with geffen but nine tracks leaked a couple days ago. here they are (http://www.sendspace.com/file/eean5u)

although i suppose it could be worse, i must say, it's pretty weak. (n)

[BangkokB]

Weird: I was on Wiki last night killing time and ended up at the Chinese Democracy listing and then Dr. Dre's supposed last LP that's to come out after Eminem's latest LP is to come out.

It'd hate to be with any of those guys trying to decide what to order for takeout.

[abcdefz]

It'd hate to be with any of those guys trying to decide what to order for takeout.

:D

[hpdrifter]

Release date 11/23 exclusively at Best Buy.

[hpdrifter]

Rolling Stone gave it a good review...


http://www.rollingstone.com/reviews/album/24024297/review/24161281/chinese_democracy


not that that means anything.

[RobMoney$]

I'm actually really excited about this (y)

[Knuckles]

First listen...

Hmmm...

Interesting...

[RobMoney$]

FYI Nov. 23rd is a Sunday.

I'm guessing there's gonna be a big Saturday @ midnight Chinese Democracy release promotion party.
Just talked to my boy Jay and we're considering Axl costumes for the event.

I wanted "football jersey and red dreds Axl" but Jay was pretty adamant about it
so it looks like I'm gonna go with "Bandanas and Aviators Axl".

[roosta]

that title song is growing on me.

i hate it at first, but its alright i guess.

[DJ_Skrilla]

I was actually pleasantly suprised with this album. Its pretty good, at least worth a listen if you are a GNR fan.

[Kid Presentable]

It's not bad at all. A bit mental, but it doesn't sound dated (or at least as stuck in the late 90s as I'd expected). Could have been much worse.

Its grandiose lack of self-concept is probably its redeeming quality; the same thing that makes Axl seem like such a knob I guess.

[abcdefz]

What's his name at AV Club gave it an A-. Enough to make me interested. That and Buckethead.

[RobMoney$]

It's every bit as good as Use Your Illusion.
Maybe better.

This album had no choice but to be great. That's why Axl took 17 years to finish it.

[BBboy20]

It was ...alright to say at least though I guess 17 years didn't really hurt it at all which is defiantly a plus.

[abcdefz]

He stored it in 19th century oak casks and aged it for that fine buttery nose and grassy finish.

[RobMoney$]

Just looking at the lengthy list of people Axl thanks and came across the name of one "MixMaster Mike"...interesting.

I still can't believe this album is out.

[b i o n i c]

all those links you posted are expired, i want to hear this

(i aint buying it though)

[RobMoney$]

It's been out for a week or so via torrents.
If you buy the Vinyl you get the itunes MP3 version for free.

Here's the title track on youtube:
Chinese Democracy (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f2b1D5w82yU)

[BBboy20]

I still can't believe this album is out.Now cross your fingers for Forever.

[abcdefz]

Hell, cross your fingers for the uncut Greed and Magnificent Ambersons, while you're at it. And for Salinger's vault to suddenly
show up at Little, Brown and pop right open of its own accord.

[Dorothy Wood]

so far I like the second half of the album better. man, but the whole thing is actually better than I thought it would be. epic ballads ftw.

[Kid Presentable]

Musical opinions notwithstanding, does anybody else like the fact that it compels you to listen to the whole thing?

[TurdBerglar]

hey guys should i get this???

[Dorothy Wood]

listen to it yourself and decide, you crazy person!

[Kid Presentable]

Turd, I'm going to try and break it down for you. Looking at my avatar, most people are going to take me as a GnR stan. Let me say that yes I think Appetite is a great piece of work, but this avatar was given to me by Knucks. And Knucks >>>Axl (which doesn't even come close to giving dude his due (y)). With that out of the way I'd like to try and answer you and impart my worthless perspective.

It's not a straightforward album, and it's not really like anything I've heard before. That alone doesn't make it good or bad, but it certainly means you have to pay attention to it to appreciate it.

Some of the balladry (and there's a bit) seems a tad po-faced, but then completely sideswipes you. A prime example being 'There was a Time'; the song plods along nonchalantly and all of a sudden the final minute is this bizarre Buckethead solo that floored me. I'd really only known the guy to be a technical, showcase type of player, and thus can't imagine how much berating by Axl it must have taken to get something with so much feel out of the guy. Seriously, the solo makes the entire song, and is a highlight of that part of the album (it's funny to be impressed by solos in 2008, and really shows the kind of vacuum that this work exists in). Madagascar still leaves me feeling empty, though. So it goes both ways.

It's also pretty schizophrenic for what is purportedly a GnR album. Robert made a valid point earlier comparing and contrasting it with Use your Illusion. Where that album spread a multitude of ideas across 30 or so songs, this album does the same within 14 songs. I'd only ever heard the first minute and a half of 'Better' and thought it was just some radio schlock that would wind up on a car commercial. Well, after that first minute and a half it really changes. For the better lol omg. Totally different song to me now.

Dorothy also made a good call about the second half of the album; it's probably closer to the better half. There's a moody and heavy 1-2-3 punch in 'Scraped', 'Riad n the Bedouins' and 'Sorry' which makes for a very tidy suite which I believe is in large part is directly squarely at Axl's ex-bandmates (although most would apportion Stephanie Seymour the credit as the muse for these 3 songs, I disagree). Aside from those 3, my other standout track is probably 'If the World' which has a very mid-period Faith No More sound (always a plus).

So my rambling incoherent review is as rambling and incoherent as the album, and I even spent a little time editing and re-editing it in the spirit of things. But what Axl has done is fucking honest, nuanced and challenging. It's not as high-art as he probably believes it to be, and he's still the kind of dude that's fun to make fun of on these boards. But I respect what he did here. There's so much going on, that even if you can't stand the guy you should at least give this album some 'spect for its effort.

I give it a 4/5 for not sucking, and exceeding my expectations in many places. There is so much going on, and it's really a mess that somehow holds together. Once he gets the bog standard rock tracks out of the way, track 3 onwards is pretty nuts. While much of the music isn't the 'hippest' (and inevitably it's still Axl Rose which is going to tarnish most people's perceptions from the outset), the ideas are plentiful and very interesting. Personally I am a fan of creativity, and it is definitely not in short supply here. I think that snobs with just a little common sense will see something redeeming in the album, even if they don't like it. You kind of have to admire it.

Sorry for the length (an apology I don't often make), my degree is finished and I have a little time to kill.

Oh yeah, you should get it. You like sound and you like rock music.

[RobMoney$]

I'm gonna say don't get it Turd.
That copy you were going to buy should be left on the shelf for someone who really wants it. I mean there's only so many copies available right now so allow someone who really wants it the opportunity to get it.

[Rock]

I still can't believe this album is out.

I bought it today and when I was walking into the store I kept thinking it wasn't really going to be there, like it was a big joke.

I've only listened to the first half and I like it. Its sort of all over the place compared to what I was expecting.

Its too early for me to even think its better than Use Your Illusion.

The choice tracks off of the double album still are better than everything on the new album. So far. I need to listen to it a few more times.