Guns N' Roses: Chinese Democracy.
Offline Since it seems like no one is talking about this, I'm sure a lot of you are fans of Guns N' Roses, but gave up on any chance of a new album release after fifteen years of waiting. Well, that wait is over. November 23rd, 2008, Chinese Democracy is hitting Best Buy stores, and Best Buy stores only, nationwide.
Now, if you knew about this already because it's been in the news enough for you to give a shit, then it's no surprise. The first track on the CD is appropriately named "Chinese Democracy" and was released a few weeks ago to the public online as a preview just to show everyone that the upcoming release of the album wasn't a joke. Myspace sucks and should be torn down, but every now and then, it gives previews to music that doesn't reek of snot-nosed emo spit. I had the pleasure of getting a taste of GNRs' new album and I have to say it's pretty damn good. However, expect a gross overhaul in style as opposed to Appetite for Destruction and Use Your Illusion I and II. Slash isn't on guitar anymore; I think it's the guy from Primus which kicks ass just the same. The other band members are pretty much the remains of former bands so, it's kind of like GNR have gone the way of Soundgarden and Stone Temple Pilots (Audioslave, Velvet Revolver). Axel remains the key element in Guns N' Roses and he made damn sure that just because the band members changed that it doesn't mean the music is gone. Older generations that remember "November Rain," "Sweet Child O' Mine," "You Could Be Mine," "Civil War" and many other GNR classics will definetely be surprised by the similarities of their new tracks from "Better," "Street of Dreams" and "Catcher in the Rye."
On a little bit of a meloncholy note, some of the new songs infuse a modern sound or a pinch of Reggae beats. I think Axel was going for a new audience with this CD in all honesty. The great thing about the old GNR was the unique vocals, solid guitar solos, in-your-face presence and the ability to rally everyone into humming along classics shamefully among friends like "Paradise City" or "Welcome to the Jungle." Axel had to really give this album an aggressive push into the direction of teens whos primary listening habits include bullshit like Fallout Boy and ridiculous speed metal like Killswitch Engage or Lamb of God and also try to cater to his already die-hard fan base eagerly awaiting fifteen years for a worthy follow-up. I can't even imagine the stress put on his shoulders on top of other reported health problems like bi-polar disorder.
So, to wrap up, if you haven't heard any of the new Chinese Democracy songs, go to Myspace and check them out. I guarantee that it won't disappoint. I won't lie, some of them are mildly annoying, but give them all a chance anyway. Fifteen years is a long time to wait just to listen to one song and say the entire CD "sucks."
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Can't edit my fucking post, but anyway, Axl instead of Axel.
I downloaded the album, listened to it 3 times in 2 days... and deleted it.
I'll probably give it another try some other day, though...
I'm reluctant as virtually every 1980s hard rock/heavy metal band sucked the cum out of a dead donkey's dick after about 1990 (see Metallica, Motley Crue, Poison. )
Matt Shizzle has been banned from the Rational Response Squad website. This event shall provide an atmosphere more conducive to social growth. - Majority of the mod team
Since the spaghetti incident which had no new material, it's 18 since use your illusion, and most of the people I know that loved GnR aren't going to buy it since it's only axel, no slash no duff, so yeah axel had to target a whole new audience, it's been FREAKING 18 years and GnR is now considered Classic Rock.
I was disappointed that the only member from the original lineup is Axl Rose. Maybe it should just be the Axl Rose Band, but the songs I've heard aren't too bad. All that's left to see is if Dr Pepper is going to honor their agreement to hand out free peppers when the album drops. I was at their website just today and hadn't seen any coupons yet but we'll see.
"Always seek out the truth, but avoid at all costs those that claim to have found it" ANONYMOUS
Someone mentioned Motley Crue, Poison, etc. as bad bands. Yes, they were the dark parts of late-80s and not really 90s rock, but some awesome bands from that era ripped shit up. Van Halen and Whitesnake just two examples. Besides, there are some really weird tastes in music on these boards and just because you might like a genre that is apart from the norm doesn't make it good, FYI.
Anyway, don't like the new GNR shit, that's cool. I wasn't floored by Axl's creations, but it wasn't unlistenable in any sense. Slash is gone, boo hoo as is seventy-five percent of the original line-up, but get over it. If the music is good, then why split hairs?
Killswitch Engage aren't speed metal.
Carry on.
Actually I thought Poison and Motley Crue were great bands (and so was Metallica) in the 1980s. Once 1990 hit they changed totally and went to utter suckitude. Van Halen sucks an ass that hasn't been wiped in 50 years without David Lee Roth.
Matt Shizzle has been banned from the Rational Response Squad website. This event shall provide an atmosphere more conducive to social growth. - Majority of the mod team
Sorry, but Killswitch Engage is speed metal. They scream, sing in a barely unstandable way and play fast in ninety percent of their songs. They are just like Down The Sun, Lamb of God, GWAR, Devil Driver, Chimaira and many MANY others. It's all the same rapid, repetitive chords, bellowing/vomiting into the microphone and thrashing around.
I am a metal head, and I have to say that I don't like any of those bands you just mentioned with the exception of 1 or 2 Lamb of God songs. To me, good music requires TALENT, something that seems to be missing from music lately. Here is a prime example of a complete lack of talent and creativity:
I mean seriously, how many times did the word "womanizer" get used in that "song"? Blech.
I dislike largely repetitive music just as much as anyone who truly appreciates good music, and songs with nothing but cookie monster growl vocals are laughable. There are, on occasion, those songs that make your jaw drop when you hear them the first time. For me, it was this one:
You might ask why this one made my jaw drop, and I'll give you a few reasons:
Precision. Nuff said.
Band member equality. Normally bands are unbalanced, meaning that too much emphasis is placed on one particular band member, such as the lead vocalist or lead guitarist. Not so with these guys, Not only is the bassist one of the best I've ever seen (and it shows in this song), but he also writes the lyrics for the band. The lead guitarist is equally phenomenal, as is the rhythm guitarist. The drums aren't unbearably loud or overpowering and their is a lot of variety in the types and sizes of cymbals used. The rhythms are complex and change often.
Just my two cents
Your god's silence speaks loud and clear
True, dead_again, I'd choose any rock over Britney Spears and her insufferable bullshit. The bands I mentioned above blow dick, but I was pointing out how in denial some people are over the genre they listen to, speed metal being one of many main culprits. Granted, I listen to just about any metal rock, hard rock, classic rock and maybe one or two speed metal songs because some are actually listenable, that is, unless you have a migraine; then it's probably wise to turn on some Grateful Dead or Black Crowes.
I got some friends that split hairs on what is considered speed metal and what isn't. heck some of metallica's old stuff falls into that category. Personally I listen to it all,I got albums from Led Zepplin to Robert Johnson, Carlos Gardel to the complete works of Mozart, some Duke Ellington, The Pogue's and Dropkick Murphy's, to big band music. Even Willie Nelson and Johnny Cash stuff, and everything inbetween. Music is one of those things that people rarely agree on, what is a sell out? what isn't? What is an indie band? at want point are they mainstream? etc, etc, etc.