Guns N' Roses - Chinese Democracy (2008)

Loved It.

Guns N' Roses - Chinese Democracy (2008)

Everyone has an opinion on Axel Rose—genius, loon, obsessive perfectionist, prima donna, unstable mad scientist... the list goes on. However, I will spare you the omnipresent psycho-analysis, and attempt to simply evaluate Chinese Democracy for what it is: a astronomically hyped, but restorative hard-rock album. Emerging from all the mythology, ridicule, speculation, back-story and unparalleled expectations is a pretty solid and compelling collection of songs. Nearly every track reaches for that "epic" echelon/moniker, in a "November Rain"-"Civil War" sort of way, something Axel pushed for with the original group, but was often reigned in. Here Axel's aspirations run wild: lead and backing vocals are stacked and staggered in dramatic, and sometimes unnecessary fashion, with most choruses building like massive tsunamis. Axel undoubtedly sings his ass off. The multitude of guitarists shred. Solos abound. Creativity & originality is present throughout, and although it comes off as pretentious at times, it doesn't overshadow the quality of most tracks. The production in a number of stretches is probably excessive, but not unexpected from Axel's "the bigger, the better" approach. Wouldn't it have been even more inexplicable and unsettling if after 13 years of production Chinese Democracy was simply a collection of conventional rocks songs, or simply a regurgitation of the "traditional" Guns N' Roses sound? That would have been unforgivable, and I'm glad the time was allotted for something I have never heard anything like before.

It is inevitable that Guns N' Roses fans will argue the quality of this album to the death, but the debate should be more a matter of perspective than opinion. Just as there is nothing normal about Axel as a person, there is nothing normal about this album. It is difficult to ignore the history and hype, as well as many fans' deep-rooted allegiance to Guns N' Roses as its original entity, but if that static can be set aside, there is no reason why Chinese Democracy cannot be enjoyed and respected. So, for those of you who flat-out cannot find something enjoyable out of Chinese Democracy, ask yourself, "Would it be better if Guns N' Roses' last album ever recorded was "The Spaghetti Incident?" ?!?!

Current favorites: "Prostitute," "There Was A Time," & "Madagascar."

Nightrain's Fall Shuffle

Guns N' Roses - "Think About You"
Its not too surprising that GNR would come up in this little mix, because the odds (GNR songs to total songs) are in their favor. I think Appetite For Destruction was the first cassette that I ever purchased, and my life has never been the same since. This song in particular doesn't blow me out of the water, but reflecting on the album as a whole--a debut scraped out of the gutters of Hollywood and is comprised of such amazing music--still amazes me.

The Vines - "Sunshinin'"
The Vines go trippy on this short little track. I like the song, but overall The Vines have never really ascended through the gallimaufry of bands that have a similar sound. Anyway...

The Donnas - "I Don't Care (So There)"
I always wonder how "badass" The Donnas really are. They undoubtedly write good pop-punk songs, but do they really not care as much as they say they don't care? I dunno, and personally I don't care because they are a quartet of smokin' hot bitches (and I mean that in and endearing, sexy way) who play rock and roll. The kind of rock and roll that effects you deep down in your pants.

Neko Case - "Knock Loud"
Speaking of smokin' hot, Neko Case is on my very short list of women who simply all-around rule. This is the live version off the Live From Austin TX album. Her live tracks are quite excellent, as are her live performances, but the live performances have the upperhand because there is a pleasant visual to go with her radiant voice.

Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky - "Overture" from The Nutcracker Ballet
What a fantastic overture... I'm not even going to pretend to know what I'm talking about, but I must say Tchaikovsky is on of my favorites of all time... certainly better than Radiohead.


Afterthought: I'm too tired to write an afterthought at the moment... when was the last time you played 5 basketball games in one day?