Undercover has asked for your reviews of the leaked Guns n Roses 'Chinese Democracy tracks. Here are some of your reviews:
From Benny (last name withheld)
Before I open the Pandora's Box of insight that is to
be my review (I was only joking) of the leaked songs
from "Chinese Democracy", I wanted to preemptively
warn your readers that these songs are old demo tracks
and nothing more. So please, don't make your final
judgments just yet.
That being said, I am very much in love with the new
leaked material from "Chinese Democracy". The title
track from the ethereal album is opened with an
equally supernatural beginning. The song begins with a
long winding synthetic solo from keyboardist Chris
Pitman with some guitar feedback coupled with a group
of Chinese men and women whispering and other
elements. That long hypnotic introduction will
probably make you wonder what you were listening to,
but at just past a minute into the song guitarist
Robin Finck provides the answer. With the opening
riff, Finck reminds everyone of the gritty GN'R sound
that we've been missing out on for over a decade. The
guitar riff is crunchy and clearly grunge-inspired,
which is perfect for a hate-filled opening song about
frustration. The song is great and has an incredible
build to it, only marred by a drum-track too far back
in the mix.
Next is "Better", very likely to be the lead single
when "Chinese Democracy" finally hits and rightfully
so. The song begins with a muffled, old-radio type
filter on guitar and Rose singing falsetto. And at the
30-second mark, the main progression kicks in,
fearless and fierce. For the next four-plus minutes
you'll be treated to a rollercoaster ride, Rose
singing a song about regret of a failed relationship
and wishing he knew "Better". There's enough depth for
intelligent music fans but also enough pop and sonic
whallop for casual listeners. This version is missing
great Brain drum section mid-song and could do with
guitars higher in the mix, but just because these
songs aren't perfect doesn't mean we haven't played
them on our computers and iPods upwards of 30 times.
I.R.S. is the most superficial of the lot, a simple
rip-your-head off type song akin to "Out Ta Get Me".
The meaning of the song is unclear but not "about tax
evasion" like Rose so cheekily suggested in 2006
shows. The song begins with another short intro with
nice delay and reverb effects. What is clear is that
this version of the song lacks the passion and
intensity as the band played it on the 2006 tour, but
we're not too surprised considering the vocal track
dates back to 1999. Given the proper attention this
song is worthy of a place on the final album and not
simply "B-level" or "filler" as suggested by some
cynical fans.
"Riyadh and The Bedouins" is one of the newly heard
studio demos but heard before by fans in 2001 and
sparingly in 2002. This song is one of the most
difficult to place of the leaked material. The song is
full of industrial direction, which isn't a bad thing
(please more industrial stuff Axl!), but it lacks the
lyrical complexity as the 1999 song "Oh My God" from
the End of Days Soundtrack. That being said, I dare
you to listen to this song and try to not fist pump or
jump around. At it's most primal the song is
aggressive and energetic. A couple of elements are
clearly lifted from the Led Zeppelin classic
"Kashmir". It may not be the cleanest track, but hell
GN'R, didn't exactly make a name off of playing nice,
now did they? Where this song lacks it clearly makes
up with it's frenetic pace. It shows that there's
plenty of "fuck you" left in Guns N' Roses, ready to
fly. (With respects to David Fricke).
The next three tracks: "There Was A Time",
"Madagascar", and "The Blues" all deserve individual
attention but for the sake of brevity we'll lump them
together. These are the most polished songs of the lot
and proves why Axl Rose is one of the most prolific
songwriters in rock history and builds an incredible
case for the new lineup of Guns N' Roses. If the old
lineup produced a sprawling trilogy of classics in
("Don't Cry" - "November Rain"- "Estranged") then
these songs are the second set to that fabled trilogy.
Like many psychologists suggest, the reaction to a
dramatic break such as a divorce or death will produce
three strong emotions: Denial, Anger/Depression, and
Acceptance. These three emotions could provide an
accurate summation of the emotional arc of these
songs. "There Was A Time" is an heartfelt reflection
of yesteryear about loving and losing and the anger
and sadness coupled with such a traumatic time. With
Rose wearing his heart on his sleeve the entire song
and an incredible Buckethead solo matched with the
incredible string arrangements by Paul Buckmaster and
fantastic drumming by Brain, this song is nothing
short of an instant classic. The song ends unresolved
and "The Blues" picks up a chapter or two ahead.
Beginning with Rose gently tickling the ivories and a
soft acoustic stroke, the song comes out of the gate a
winner. "The Blues" thematically transitions from
reflection into a somewhat tangible conclusion. "I
tried so hard to make you change your mind", Rose
emotes, "but what I thought was beautiful, don't live
inside of you anymore". The vocal performance by Rose
is fabulous and shows off his still awe-inspiring
range. "Madagascar" is a couple of chapters ahead
into this story, this time with the character getting
resolved, "I won't be told anymore, that I've been
brought down in this storm, and left so far our from
the shore, that I can't find my way back". Rose's
vocals are again amazing, channeling Tom Waits coupled
with his high-pitched wail. I wouldn't mind at all for
these versions to make the final album.
The last two leaks: "If The World" and the
rumored-to-be "Prostitute", seem to fit somewhere in
our puzzle, but we're not quite sure where yet.
They're amazing songs with some more clear Buckethead
and great drumming by Brain, do yourself a favor and
listen. The influences range from Genesis to U2 to Led
Zeppelin and back again, but still distinctly GN'R and
great overall. A couple of things are for sure: this
ain't your daddy's GN'R, but that's not a bad thing.
What these songs from "Chinese Democracy" represent is
a logical progression of the Guns N' Roses sound
focusing on things such as heartbreak, frustration,
and redemption. Those still stuck in 1987 holding out
for songs about dirty sex, piles of pills, mounds of
cocaine, and bottles of booze will be sufficiently
disappointed. But for those who love great stellar
musical and vocal performances and mature, heartfelt
lyrics, then "Chinese Democracy" is for you.
Although most of these versions aren't perfect: they
lack certain (great) elements played on the 2006 tour,
some of the vocal tracks date back nearly a decade,
and some need a proper mix, if these songs are
indicative of the quality of the final album, then we
feel that Axl Rose and Guns N' Roses have a
masterpiece on their hands. And knowing Axl's infamous
quest for perfection, we're not worried that the band
has taken care of the flaws.
Whether the album turns out to be a great evolution of
a legendary band or pure revolution to the point of a
second triumphant reign of Guns N' Roses, at the very
least the world will be in for some incredible music
from an incredible frontman and lead vocalist and
powerful, awe-inspiring band.
Here's hoping for "Chinese Democracy" in 2008.
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Courtney writes:
The first time I heard any material from Chinese Democracy would have been over a year ago on YouTube when I saw they had a filmclip of There Was a Time (T.W.A.T). It blew my mind. Being a Gunners fan myself, I had been patiently waiting a long time for any sign that the band was still capable of making music, but, as I anxiously waited for my dial-up to load the rest of the filmclip, I realised Axl still had it in him. The track mixes in an eerie bluesy sound that contrasts with his husky voice. The all over vibe of the song? Smooth. All scepticism disappeared when a year later (and still no album release) I heard a version of Better. At first I didn't realise who it was by but when I heard that same familiar conditioned voice, I had to stop what I was doing and just listen. With these two songs alone you can tell that Guns N Roses have taken on a more mature approach to music, pedantically perfecting every last tone in their songs, one might even be able to reason with the prolonged time frame in which it has taken for anything new to come from GNR, that is to say, the Axl Rose Project.
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Mark Frost says:
The tracks are all good, but they arent chinese democracy
they may be on it, but bumblefoot had indicated that they are old demos from before he joined the band. Also I suspect that there are a lot more songs as axl has always talked about a double album.
Really its just two new songs because all other songs (with exception of Rhiad which has been played live before) are previously leaked demos.
There was a time and the blues are the best, rhiad, better, chinese dem, and irs are rockin, the others are a bit different (particularly the new tracks.. I dont like them quite as much as the existing songs)
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We'll have more of your 'Chinese Democracy' reviews tomorrow.
Send in your review of 'Chinese Democracy' to undercover@undercover.com.au
