Album Review: Guns N' Roses-Chinese Democracy

All the rumors, all the hype, all the waiting. Guns N' Roses first release of new music came on November 23, 2008. The last studio album of new material prior was a 30 song, double CD monster titled "Use Your Illusion" released as two separate volumes simultaneously on September 17, 1991. Since that release every member of Guns N' Roses was replaced with the exception of vocalist Axl Rose and keyboardist Dizzy Reed. Regardless of all distractions, I reviewed this album based solely on the music contained within. Here's a track by track review of the album:

Guns N' Roses-Chinese Democracy

Chinese Democracy
Great song, great intro, great way to introduce the album. I think the rhythm guitar is what really sells the groove of the song. I've read a lot about the "chorus that never happens" in this song and I really don't understand that. The chorus in this song is as catchy as anything I've heard qualify as a chorus in ages. The guitar solos are awesome. They do the same thing the song does; prepare you for what else you're going to hear. The outro in the song is awesome as well. The vocal layering is just too cool.
5/5

Shackler's Revenge
I like the mixing on this track as well as the solo, that's about all I can say. I don't like the lyrics as they make no sense to me. Other then the "no one is stopping you..." bridge, nothing is really catchy on this song for me. Based on the bridge, mixing and solo I can only award it a point or two, easily the worst track on the album.
1.5/5

Better
This is the best song Guns N' Roses has ever recorded in my opinion. This has everything you come to GN'R for; catchy melody, incredible vocals, great lyrics, awesome groove & guitar work. The lyrics song like a man who's matured enough to express some very deep rooted feelings with anger yet clear and concise. The drumming near the end of the song is what I was hoping for based on the live versions from late 06 and 07. A masterpiece.
5/5

Street Of Dreams
Love the introduction. Besides the guitar, the strings worked in slightly below it add to the sound. The vocals on this are incredible. A great mix of everything Axl does right. As far as lyrics go, this song contains some of my favorite ever. "As long as this road seems, I know it's called the street of dreams" and "What this means to me is more than I know you believe" both hit home for me. Robin's solo is awesome and exactly what this song needs.
5/5

If The World
The first real shocker of the album. By that I mean it's the first track to go somewhere you never thought GN'R would. I like how the intro sounds like a skip but it's not. It's actually the underlying groove to the whole song. Takes getting used to but again the groove grabs you. Axl's vocals in the verses are much stronger then the chorus, same for the lyrics. Again, Axl's ability to mature in his lyrics make this song stand out as a whole. More great guitar work both in what you expect and don't (the flamenco work is sooo cool).
4/5

There Was A Time
I'm not sure how I feel about the intro on this song. I'm not sure it's necessary but I don't know how else one would jump right into the lyrics if it weren't there. I love how aggressive the song song is overall. It begins as if it's going to be a ballad but then the first chorus puts a stop to that. More great vocals from Axl, this time the chorus matches the verses. The outro vocals (both Axl and backrounds) are awesome. They match the grandiose guitar work underneath. Is the guitar work in this song the best on the album? It just might be. The track itself is second only to Better in ambition and stands alone as a testament to "all those years" spent on the record.
5/5

Catcher In The Rye
Something about this song won't allow me to love it just yet. Maybe I need to dig into the lyrics further. From a couple listens it just seems as if it's rambling out. The melodies, guitar and groove are good enough they all just seem to be rambling. High point is "you decide..." bridge and guitar solo.
2/5

Scraped
Here's more of what you expect from GN'R. This song snuck up on me. At first I wasn't all that impressed but found myself humming it a few hours later. When I went back to check it out again I found out why I was humming it; there's a ton of stuff I missed. Here's another song where the intro hints at the rest of the song and keeps making an appearance throughout, cool idea. The solo on this is yet another great one, although weak at the end of it. The way Axl comes back in vocally deserves to have a bigger finish to the solo.
4/5

Riad N' The Bedouins
Here's another one with an intro I'm not sure about. In a word; unnecessary. The song could easily just kick in with the guitar work and take off. Seems as if the intro bogs it down. When the song does kick it, it's biggest short coming is apparent; the "Ahh Ahh" lyrics. Again they seem unnecessary or at the very least unfinished. The two high points of the song are by far the half time chorus and solo. Those two points are what got stuck in my head and brought me back for repeated listens.
3/5

Sorry
I had very little positive comments about this song at the beginning. The brooding nature of it is cool but I guess I just don't get the lyrics or the delivery. Example; the "but I don't want to do it" line in the first verse. I don't care who this song might be an attack on, I care more that it could've been more effective. The pre-chorus, chorus and solo stand head and shoulders above the rest of the track. The drumming and overall mood keep it in check but I'm left thinking it could've been better.
3/5

IRS
This song takes SO LONG to get going. When it finally does, it really shines but that's not until about a quarter of the way through. The rambling feeling of the lyrics come to mind again. It seems as if the lyrics are bitching just to bitch. Axl Rose has always complained but usually mentions what he intends to do about his problem. This song just seems to be a laundry list of what he might do about what he's not sure he's mad about. The slightest of resolution might or positive outlook would give the song far more power. The solo, drumming and vocal performance stand out. The band works together to really give this song something to remember with the rocking groove.
4/5

Madagascar
Here's another vocal performance I don't understand. Maybe the worn down sound is intentional? With all the superb vocals found elsewhere on the album, that's all I'm left to assume. This, like "If The World" is one I find most different from what a casual GN'R fan would expect. It's a welcome change though. The sample section in the middle is very inventive and a nice layer over the solo. I could do without all the vocal layers from the middle on. The vocal performance and layering force a lower score for an other wise great song.
3.5/5

This I Love
Here's more I didn't expect from GN'R. This effort knocks is completely out of the park. The lyrics are so direct and sang with such heart that they express more then what's just being sang. What I didn't expect was the fairly basic production. I love how the song could have SO much more going on, but it doesn't. That says alot to me about the message of the song. The solo is incredible for many reasons. The feeling in the vocal performance & lyrics is clearly felt in the solo as well. I love the fact that the song fakes a huge ending only to stop and get back to the heart of the matter
5/5

Prostitute
Interesting intro wasted by so so lyrics, at least in the first verse and chorus. Like "IRS" this song seems to pick up around the second verse and go from there. The multiple personality the song seems to have keeps me thinking about it. This has the potential to grow on me but isn't easy on the ears at first. The outro is a high point of the song for me. I wonder which came first, that outro or the thought that this song would finish the album? Either way it's a perfect end to the record, it gives you time to reflect on everything that just happened in the last 70 minutes or so.
4/5

Closing Comments:
Based solely on the music, this lives up to the Guns N' Roses name as well as what I was hoping/expecting. Marketing, packaging, band lineup, etc are all things I have separate opinions on. But reviewing/giving my opinion only on what hit my ears, I believe it's an extremely solid album.

4 out of 5