Whatever this album does, whether it is the biggest selling album in the world ever, the media will report that it is failing. Its typical of something with popular and eager await.

Axl is a joke…..

I don’t know, maybe people aren’t buying it because Guns and Roses without slash and crew is just a singer with a new band

lol

bought the album after 15 years long wait… LOVED IT!!!!!

Axl Rose>>>>>Scott Weiland

Yeah, it could be because the record’s terrible and people have heard the leaked version of this dreck. I mean, RS gave it 4, but they want a cover story or something. Yeah, it made me very sad to hear this album. it’s terrible.

It rules. Steely dan perfect.

no slash = no love

its about time! weres my free Dr pepper:)

the album rocks pretty hard. ppl who expect axl to keep re-making appetite over and over are being unreasonable.

if you hate axl, no problem. you can hate him at your leisure for the rest of your life. but chinese democracy stands on its own merit and its great!

It is an incredible album!!! Better than I had anticipated it would be

or maybe its just that america doesnt no how to advertise stuff god best buy could at least make an effort axl should take away the contract and give it to some other retailer so they can sell it exclusively it deserves it cause its amazing

Chinese Democracy hits my ears like a fart. Thank god we wont have another of Axl’s abortions for at least another 10 years.

Maybe because RS lost its credibility when it put the Hills on the Cover and gave the Jonas Sisters 4 stars along with this piece of flaming dog crap? The album sucks, there’s 4 good songs on it, a couple that are worthy of one listen and some OK ones. Other than that, there were no lines at midnight because they let everyone hear the album on myspace to see it’s truly a P.O.S. Anyone praising it is pitifully clinging to nostalgia at this point as equally as those slamming it for Slash’s absence. Take it for what it is, a crap album. Sadly, the guitar work on the album is one of the few highlights, Axl’s perfect picture musical masterpiece he’s painted in his head wasn’t and probably will never be realized. They have a word for people like him: schizofrenic (sp?). I think he put way too much pressure on himself and the album. It’s back to the drawing board for William Bailey… Hopefully the album tanks so we everyone can cry a river, build a bridge, and get the f**k over it. Sorry Axl.

The album is terrible.. I heard teh streams and that was enough to tell me not to buy it.. Its hard to believe how bad these songs are.

I wonder what a ’shrug’ is to them. With the expectations of this album to be massive (like 10-20 million copies massive), maybe it is a shrug. But if this thing sells 500-1000k in its first week, then will it have been all that bad?

I mean, obviously this thing isn’t going to do record sales, but if it sells like 3-4 million they could still be calling it a “yawner” just because it didn’t make the record sales they expected.

They need to lower their expectations of this. It’s just an album, and not even their final one.

chinese democracy is amazing

I also wanted to make the comment that there is a lot more iTunes purchase of albums these days than Best Buy purchases. You have to put the album sale in its entire perspective. The Chinese Democracy single was number 1 for a while on the itunes most downloaded list.

I was hugely disappointed. It starts OK, but it falls off a cliff after the first few songs. I was really pulling for Axl, too.

I think part of it could also be that most people know that Tuesday is “release day” and having it in stores on Sunday, despite having it listed that way in their ad, isn’t the day most people know when to look for a new release. Best Buy may also be looking to push this big-time in Black Friday sales – it’s listed as a doorbuster. They may also push it much stronger when it is eligible to chart on Billboard, which is next week, since this early release makes it ineligible for charting this week.

Most people dismissing the new album are those who don’t like GnR past Appetite, or don’t like the band at all. I have noticed that those who enjoyed the better parts of the Illusion albums seem to be open to Chinese Democracy, which is what this album is more like. I think it’s quite strong, personally.

I visited the store in Redding CA, the bustling metropolis it is, and they didn’t have a display. They just had a generic cardboard dump bin with an ill fitting banner bent to fit the display. No vinyl to be found. I asked the sales manager if they had the vinyl and was told that the display just hadn’t been put through the receiving system. It would be set up by 2 PM and it would be amazing. I was also told there would be vinyl, so to “come back”. I called at 12 and was told that they didn’t have any vinyl and everything was out. I bet Axl’s management may be on the phone today.

Wahhh main stream media has told me to hate this album so I will hate it. I am an indie robot!

/moron mode off

This album is quite good, next time hopefully he takes less time to make a disc.

It all don’t matter. More responses to anything Axl-related a hundred fold than anything else on these blogs. This album is very good. This album is going to sell very well.

Popular music has changed and G&R doesn’t fit the new mold. The music used to have to stand on it’s own, then things went from there. Now group of smart consultants can put together hit after hit. Here’s how to make some money in music today. Get a pretty and marketable face that can sing (Carrie Underwood for example). She may not know how tor write a song, but that doesn’t matter because some guy who’s not pretty and marketable can write a good tune. Hire a band, and make sure it sounds good in the studio. Now it has to be sold…marketing/marketing/mar keting. Fortunatly, your consulting group has all sorts of connections with the media, and the stories start appearing, a Mtv’s all geeked on the product (because they’re told to be) and BAM! you’ve got modern music. It’s not quite like Axel and the boys back in LA rocking the Troub/Whiskey gaining momentum.

This album is epic! Amazing job Mr. Rose.

In 2 or 3 years people will still be discovering this record. Same way with Illusion. Or when I hear a Bowie song from 1966 that I never heard before. Axl delivered.

I bought the vinyl yesterday in Loz Feliz, CA. Showed up around 11am. They had one small display, and every copy of the vinyl had bent up or torn packaging. Also I walked around the store for a bit and I am pretty sure I was the only one buying the album. I didn’t see anyone carrying a copy of the cd or the vinyl and I was looking.

I still break out Illusion II (may favorite of the two UYI discs, My World notwithstanding) and the songset of Estranged, Locomotive, Pretty Tied Up and Breakdown give me the same chills now when I throw on CD and hear “Sorry” “There Was a Time” “Madagascar” and “Prostitute”. Nice job, Axl.

Axl is the greatest, Better is a killer, in your face song. You idiots who don’t recognize good music are the same people buying Britney Spears or Good Charlotte. APPt. for Destruction is the best hard rock album of all time, but this one is real good too.

It will become the second greatest rock album of all time (behind appetite) which in my mind is pretty good. As far as starting good and falling off, you are not a true GNR fan if you can’t appreciate the songs with Axl’s voice dominating those songs. Madagasgar is one of the best GNR songs ever, that is song #12. Thank you

It will become the second greatest rock album of all time (behind appetite) which in my mind is pretty good. As far as starting good and falling off, you are not a true GNR fan if you can’t appreciate the songs with Axl’s voice dominating those songs. Madagasgar is one of the best GNR songs ever, that is song #12. Thank you

Calling this line up G -n- R is like calling Wings the Beatles

Im adding it to my collection

Im adding it to my collection

no slash = no GNR

the new album STINKS!!!
hahah

I’m so happy for that one longhair!

For being a Best Buy exclusive, I sure didn’t see or hear much in the way of promotion from Best Buy, as opposed to Wal-Mart’s promotion of AC/DC’s “Black Ice”. Axl & Co. may regret doing an exclusive with Best Buy…maybe Best Buy secretly wants to bury the album?

P.S. – For some unknown reason, I cannot get “This I Love” out of my head. That haunting piano, combined with the guitar work…wow.

I live in Nebraska and there were a lot of people buying the album. I got there right when they opened and Best Buy had a display up. The cashier told me that people were buying the album like crazy

a friend of mine who lives in New York said that Best Byt F..cked up big time. They should be brought to trail for failing this big. F..k best buy. Where is Axl Rose?

In Holland it went double gold in one morning !!! Al through Europe it’s a success !!

Why would I buy an album from a store whem you can get it ordered, pre-delivered (On Saturday) and listening to it before the official release date? Like GNR, we are now in 2008, things progress and improve and we get buy things off the net. Mackem Lad from England.

double gold=platinum

GREAT stuff. Well worth the wait!

Thanks for the FREE Dr. Pepper, Axl!

though it isn’t really GnR, it deserved better than it got from Best Buy

The sad thing is that a lot of younger people are just so brainwashed that they won’t know how to hear and accept this album…it won’t get a lot of radio play, it isn’t faux punk/emo that they are force fed and told is cool, it *gasp* mixes several styles of music and isn’t made by pretty people…of course I am generalizing a little bit, but truthfully this is music for people with broader minds and music appreciation…it’s a good, mutli-layers and complex album that is still a great rock album!
And if you think that GNR isn’t GNR without Slash etc…then you seriously have issues.

Listened to the tracks on their (his) myspace. Kept waiting for the big deal. Was left vastly underwhelmed. Better sounds ok, not great. As for the rest: late 90s disco metal trying to sound brainy. Still dig Oh My God a bit, though, but this is pretty stale music.

do some research on all the blogs this topic has generated and figure out how many people who reviewed this album as crap or hogwash mentioned the fact that it is not GNR?

Of course it’s not classic GnR – it’s “Axl Rose Solo Band”- but taken on it’s own – the album is a helluva lot more interesting than anything else out there! Axl is still one talented dude!

We went to a Best Buy near Pittsburgh. They had a four-sided display of CDs and records above that. It was right next to the new releases with a big sign that said something along the lines of “Most anticipated record EVER!” next to pictures of Chinese Democracy.
I love the new CD but I agree that some songs are better than others.

This album is just another Spaghetti Incident. It sucks!!!

Best Buy dropped the ball. As a person who was very excited about the release, I was disappointed to see that the sole retailer of this album didn’t share my enthusiasm.
As for the album, it is grossly over produced. Still, it’s way better than Jack Johnson, Gwen Steffani, Fall Out Boy, The Killers, Duffy, etc, etc. Although thats no great feat.

The album is amazing. Think of what happened to “ROCK” music everybody! This may not be the Guns N’ Roses from the 1980’s, but this is pure rock and roll, just like rock and roll is supposed to sound like. Sorry kids, Hip-Hop and & R&B is NOT MUSIC! This is the real deal… Like it or not, this is going to a legenday album!

being a guns n roses fan, i was somewhat skeptical of buying the album, but i did anyways. and what i heard….totally sucked. i was expecting something more after 14 years. call me crazy, but the only way axl will ever get back on top will be when he joins Slash and crew to tear shit up.

The album is very good, but the constant delays, and the fact that the album leaked, will really hinder its sales.

“Chinese Democracy” is not only the most anticipated album in the history of rock (speaking objectively… it has caused so much anticipation it seemed like a joke!)… it is the best album to come out this decade! Will it sell HUGE numbers? Who knows. My guess is yes, but it might take some time. Is it over-produced? You BET. Is that a bad thing? No WAY. Even though 13 million dollars for ANY album is about 12.5 million more than ANYTHING music-related should cost, it was at least put to good use. Musically speaking, the layering and Pro Tools-heavy production is amazing, with guitar solos talking back and forth to each other and trying to compete with Axl’s voice. The album is a must buy for anyone wanting to get a masterpiece in rock.

a polished def leppard hysteria sound..but the melodys get broken up way to often.I would have prefered a more rolling stone/black crowe sound instead of the techno garbage that is thrown all around the place.That being said it is unique and different with some good hooks and some good blues guitar as well as some neo classical guitar shredding.The best part being axl rose primal screams.In the end it is what it is an axl rose project but not Gnr.

Well the band should be called “Axl Rose Featuring…(name everyone else)” cause it’s not a Guns N’ Roses album.

And Secondly… I won’t lie. It’s a terrific album. But ye. I dunno. It just takes me out of the experience that its “Guns N’ Roses” when it’s really not :/

This is the problem with America. They don’t recognize a phenomenal rock album when they see it. This album is way over the heads of the average american music ‘fan’.

What does America want? They want everything they’ve already seen or heard…re-packaged and spoonfed to them.

Case in point: AC/DC’s new album is more of the same stuff that every other album had. Yes, it’s a good rockin’ album. But it takes zero chances and sounds like they could have recorded it back in 1984.

While on the other hand, there was another world famous rock band that recently put out a new album and has been touring europe and western Asia (Russia, Ukraine, etc) to sold out crowds…. despite not having their original frontman. Yes, one of the greatest selling bands of all time…. Queen put out a new record with Paul Rodgers and have been playing to maniacal audiences (350,000 in Kharkov).

Their album does blend old (old Queen and old Paul Rodgers), but it’s also something new and fresh. It takes chances. But of course here in America it has gotten zero airplay and zero recognition.

But I digress…

The average American fan wouldn’t know a real rock record if it hit them in the face. Axl has shown himself to be the true genius (albeit self-absorbed) behind G&R. This album is everything that they were and everything that they could have been. It rocks and is deeper on so many more levels than the fickle American public could ever understand.

Axl gets it. But of course, he always did have good taste. His biggest influence is…surprise surpise…. Queen.

Thanks for a great record, Axl.

“MegaSudz | 11/24/2008, 2:29 pm EST

Calling this line up G -n- R is like calling Wings the Beatles”

Couldn’t have said it better myself.

I loved G n’ R, when I was like 8. With only Axl in the “band”, they’ve pretty much become a novelty act; and Velvet Revolver’s kind of hit-or-miss, mostly miss.

As a recording engineer, I appreciate good production, but differentiate it from over-production, which is what I’ve heard about this album. Other red flags are the aging Gen-Xers here with very dated tastes in music using words like “rap-rock”, especially when it preludes comments like “mixes styles” and “sells really well in Nebraska” and “went double platinum in Europe”. I have a feeling it’s going to be a really bad, bad, album but not so bad that I won’t still illegally download it just to give it a shot/laugh.

You sick corporate rockers and your corporate releases- ACDC, Guns and Roses, etc–rely defy what the real rock and roll is all about – just ask Rolling Stone magazine. I hope the economy takes Rolling Stone down, along with all the other music magazines out there. I’ve resorted to just listening to classical music. Its so much better when you compare it to Nickelback. Saint Saens and Shostakovich > Guns and Roses

This is better than anything Velvet Revolver has done.

This album is Epic!! All needs to be said about it! The songs speak for themselves!

This album is Epic!! All needs to be said about it! The songs speak for themselves!

no Slash, no Duf…it ain’t Guns. This would be like if when David Lee Roth left Van Halen in 1985, then formed the band he did with Vai and Sheehan and tried to call it VAN HALEN!!! It was Roth with three other dudes. This is Axl with a bunch of other people…it is NOT a Guns album. Sorry folks.

I was at Best Buy by the mall in my town at 9 A.M. I walked in saw the display. I am 17 years old. i was born in the middle of their Use Your illusion tour, and i must say the moment i picked up the cd from the display i realized my entire musical career lead to that moment. i have been listening to this cd any free moment i can and i must say this cd is amazing. Saying gnr is not gnr without duff or slash obviously didnt realize that Velvet Revolver is guns n roses minus axl. and how were their record sales? Oh yea, horrible. not to mention the almost blatent rip off of the bass lines from classic grn tracks. Axl makes the band and he did wonderful

I,ve got it and after just reading slash’s book I had a lesser opinion of Axl than I once did. trust me the new album takes off where the Illusions left off. an incredible album. the less musically astute may not get it. it is genius. and forget the old band. the new one much higher quality than anything velvet. well done axl. the guitar on this album could not even be imagined by slash. awesome. the best band in the world today by a country mile. well worth the wait. forget what you’ve read. let your ears decide. velvet who?

Axl tried really hard on this album as you can see, so try not to be to man about it. We still love you Axl!!!

♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡ ♡♡♡♡

It’s a great album. Taken on its own merit, without all the bullshit about 13 years, Slash and Duff and the millions and millions spent, Chinese Democracy is one of the best albums of recent times. But it’s not GnR. An ever-changing roster of musicians doth not a band make. Axl ought to take responsibility for the brilliance of this exercise in creative megalomania. Congratulations on your first solo album, white boy. You still rock!

Look give me $14 million dollars and the better part of two decades and I’ll create something that might be considered art. Despite what Sebastian Bach says, Axl is a bloated asshole.
You can create music, but it is difficult to create the vibe that was G-N-R. You blew it kid. Mick and Keith managed to keep it together for all of these years; it is a goddamn shame that you couldn’t have done the same.

Beltway Greg

This album is a retard.

anyone who cannot be honest or independent enough to aknowledge this true work of art are not worth listening to. they must be of the oasis persuasion. groundbreaking is all we should ever expect again from axl rose. what a writer and what a vocalist. a modern day Mozart.

Dear Mr Rose:

I loved your solo album, “Chinese Democracy.” I especially enjoyed the way the guitarists made an effort to capture Slash’s melodic infallibility without actually aping him. I will be playing everything except Scraped and Madagascar at top volume until my neighbours know all the lyrics. I look forward to more brilliant solo albums from you and pray that one day soon, you, Slash and Duff will come to your sense and give us the band that made Appetite and the Illusions. Hopefully it will happen before you are all washed and pathetic.

This CD is fucking amazing!

Sure… There’s no Slash, Izzy, Duff or Matt but it’s still Axl. Trust me, I’m the biggest Slash fan out there, but Axl is what made GNR.

This is by far one of the BEST CDs ever produced. I’m disappointed in Best Buy for not promoting it more. There was not one advertisement for it in my store, just the stand.

Most people bought it online and had it delivered. They got it as early as Wednesday. So no lines… no surprise. The album is #1 on iTunes.

It’ll do big numbers… after all, that’s what makes a great record though huh?

You sell a million… it’s a great record…

Ask lil Wayne, 50 cent, or Kanye… mediocre art means nothing if you can sell it.

“Bill Bailey”? Spaghetti Incident? Was a fucking covers album dick’ed(And a decent one at that). This is original material and it kicks ass.
They were Guns N’ Roses before Slash and Duff and now they still are. Note how their names are “Slash” and “Duff” and not “Gun” or “Rose”, seriously if you can only speak bullshit just keep it to yourself. The album is fucking amazing and anyone who doesn’t see that is a closed minded asshole. No it’s not Appetite, neither were the Illusions. It’s Axl’s band and he’ll play what the fuck he wants. You think he’s gonna sell out and play what YOU want?

freeeeeeeeeee birrrrrrrrrrrrrd

#1 on itunes? really? you sure ’bout that? just checked – already dropped to #2…i’m guessing by wednesday it won’t be in the top 10…not saying it isn’t good – just saying nobody really cares………..

if it was a black rip of artist
this would not be happing

its a guns n roses album people. whether you think it is or not! axl owns the rights to the name gnr, it says gnr on the album – its a guns n roses album plain and simple.

Wow… People say it sucks just for the fact that they hate Axl Rose, or some odd reason not related to the music like the band being different. What a bunch of punks, this album is great musically. It could have easily been called Use Your Illusion III because it’s just as good as those albums individually.

People have short memories… They seem to think of Appetite as some grand huge album that just blew everything away… Well it wasn’t, it fell flat. Welcome to the Jungle and Night Train fell flat and it wasn’t until Sweet Child was released as a single that anyone gave a damn about it….

I also agree with the comment, calling this band Guns N Roses is like calling Wings the Beatles. Although the album is not horrible, it just doesn’t have that same GnR feel.

You know what the best thing is about all this? YOU ALL OWN THIS ALBUM AND LOVE IT!!!!!!!!!!!

Haven’t heard it! Will probrably wait till somene I know buys it to see if it’s worth givin axl any money! If he is usin g-n-r as his band name he should share the wealth w/slash and the orig. bandmates!

Fourteen solid songs. Sorry just kicks ass. I love that song. I played it 4 times in a row after the first listen. It’s classic.

The whole album is classic. Looking at the names and the complexity involved puts it into perspective.

Then think about the pressure. Look at all the names involved. It’s not an Axl solo record. If Slash played on these tracks reactions would be much different. He chose not to.

“I don’t want to do it” from sorry

I’ve always been a fan of GNR, but what impresses me about this recording is that it feels current and innovative. My tastes have changed since Appetite, and so too have Axl’s.

There are so many releases by hard rock bands these days that sound just like so many songs from the past couple of decades. On my second listen-through, I’m already hearing the hooks that will keep me exploring this album for some time to come.

Enjoy!

” I want Izzy, Slash , and Duff !! WAAAH” Its been almost TWENTY years for God’s sake GET OVER IT…as if theres never been an egomaniac in RnR. God forbid its judged on the material instead of whiny 80s burned out metalheads wanting Appettite Pt 2 ..put the bong down and MOVE ON

Izzy was more important to the original GN’R than duff,slash, or adler, he was the best songwriter and a good singer. the only thing cool about slash was his style/image.

Izzy’s influence in the original GN’R is very underated

i’ll tell you what if this album tanks and kanye album which is complete crap by the way is a success then that will say alot about where the music industry is today

Everyone needs to calm down…
1.This is an interesting record. I like a lot of the things Axl is doin’ here
2.Why is everyone hating on new music here? All you dudes are relics from when GNR was relevant and are just upset cause this band is going south…

This album is incredible. I guess the people that don’t understand the genius are the same people who listen to Blink 182, Jonas Brothers or pick anything that is played on American radio. I pray this album will unplug the headsets that have polluted America’s ear. It makes me sick to my stomach when I look at music charts and see Miley Cyrus, Jonas Brothers, Good Charlotte and the rest of that meaningless sh*t that is crammed down our throats. Thank God I have an I-Pod and refuse to listen to American Radio. Axl Rose is brilliant and though I would like to see the old G n R, I doubt it would happen. Axl is the man behind the music and he has proven this with the release of this incredible album. Please keep them coming.

NICE JOB PROMOTING IT BEST BUY. wow im insulted. the best buy by my house had a line out the door and people blaring it in there cars as they left. wow screw best buy

Ive been a huge fan since the early nineties, I have watched the rise and fall of this epic band, and I have waited patiently for some kind of guns and roses absolution. All this in vain. I hope Axl Rose and all the remaining copies of this album drive off a cliff and die a fiery painful death. And yes I bought one as soon as BestBuy opened on Sunday.

Soc Diesel- Insisting that Rap and RnB isnt music is the dumbest thing I have ever heard… you are retarded. That being said… This record has a lot of interesting things going and I kinda dig it. However, its far from a masterpiece. Just an interesting, alright rock record.

I, like lots of others, have followed the leaks from this CD for years. I heard the final version a week ago, and have given it multiple listens since.

This is NOT “Appetite for Destruction 2″. If that’s what people are expecting, they’ll be sorely disappointed. “Appetite” was a dirty, bluesy, psychotic record made by a bunch of hungry young guys on the cusp of fame. I captured a time in their lives, one which cannot be repeated.

“Chinese Democracy” is much more like the “Use Your Illusions” CD, especially their more grandiose tacks. Big, bombastic, orchestral in their scope.

Axl put together a group of musicians whose talents are far greater than the original Guns, for certain. Slash is not nearly the guitar virtuoso Buckehead is. Slash is a fantastic bluesy plaer, but Buckethead is much more technically proficient. And he’s a whole lot more experimental. Slash couldn’t have played what Axl envisioned here.

Another poster said today’s young listeners don’t know how to listen to music. That’s true. I would imagine most people will listen to this CD as a highly compressed MP3, likely on cheapo earbuds. That’s a shame. There is so much music and there oare so many amazing performances on this CD. Listening to it in a destroyed format isn’t doing the artist justice. Try listening to the actual CD on headphones.

I wonder how many kids actually LISTEN to music, versus having music on in the background.

I just want to say that I had the 9 leaked tracks for about 6 mnths. now and they were great then. The album is just the exact same songs touched up at the studio. the best buy by me in long island new york didn’t even have a sign or billboard. It was just on the racks like any other new release. I don’t understand why Best Buy did that. Anyway the album is Epic in many ways and the long wait sucked but Axl came thru in my opinion. He had a vision and the old members didn’t see it. Good for Him.

Some are saying that Buckethead is a much better technical musician than the former GNR guitarists Slash or Izzy… But where’s the melody? Where’s the playing off of each other that really great rock and roll bands produce? Techinical mabye, but no real music as far as the guitar portions are concerned in my opinion. Sounds too much like a formula to myself.

As far as the Album, I think he did a very good good job producing it and experimenting in new avenues, while still retaining his (Axl’s) sound and some of the original GNR sound.

It is real easy to critize while we are not producing albums ourselves… But, I still ask where is the Rock and Roll? This sounds like a mix of succesful professional musicians making their version of polihed Rock and Roll. There is no lack of control and a little anarchy thrown in that former GNR albums had.

But then again this was probably his intentions. That said it is good music, just not that ballsy Rock and Roll any more that we are used to from GNR. And yes I know, “dont compare it to GNR.. not the same band!” But then why still call it GNR?

I would also suggest listening to it more than once or twice, there are many buired layers in this music that really come out.

Ur all not withstanding the proper amount of mental capacity to even know how to comprehend an album like Chinese Democracy. A shame it wasn’t made just for me. By me… I mean all the people who know what I am insinuating.

THANK YOU MIKE…WELL SAID

Each song makes me want to crank it up more.

Sorry is my favorite, Such an awesome groove. The guys who contributed on this album are professionals. Any of these songs would be among the bests of any other bands albums over the past few years.

Better

AMEN MIKE TYVM

How many bands have tried to rerelease AFD since it came out? Why would Axl try that here? There’s a reason AFD and Boston were incredibly successful debut albums. Because they CANT BE DUPLICATED. Axl has created a stellar album here. It’s painfully obvious that a lot of CD’s detractors refuse to believe that Axl did not release AFD2. You are sincerely missing out. Open your ears, put on a pair of HEADPHONES (not earbuds) and immerse yourself in “Sorry”. Experience the innovation on “Catcher in the Rye”. Get lost in the epic grandeur of “Madagascar”.

Really interesting to see all the commentary here. It’s obvious that there are 3 schools of thought: “this ain’t a Guns album w/o the original guns and therefore it sucks” “meh, underwhelming” and “oh my God this is brilliant!”

First of all, hats off to Axl for realizing that he needed to keep the GnR name if he was ever going to put out another record. If this was “Axl Rose’s Chinese Democracy” none of us would even have bothered to buy it. Smart move on his part, but I think he’s a dick for screwing over the other guys who made that band what it was.

Secondly, anyone who expects this to be a “Guns N’ Roses” album is a fool. Every band has a unique chemistry and you cannot recreate a sound like that found on Appetite or the Use Your Illusion records with a bunch of random guys, no matter how talented they are. So don’t look at this as “the new GnR album” – see it for what it is: Axl Rose’s new “masterpiece” branded as Guns N’ Roses for marketing purposes.

With that said, I have to say that I, too, found it underwhelming. It’s good to hear Axl’s voice singin’ some new songs because it’s truly something unique, but I definitely didn’t hear any song that stopped me dead in my tracks. Frankly, if this is the “perfection” that it took Axl 14 years to achieve, it’s evident that his standards have slipped some.

To really test your appreciation for this album, go to http://www.myspace.com/gunsnroses and listen to the 5 tracks from Chinese Democracy, and then listen to 5 tracks from “Best of GnR,” “appetite” or “use your illusion” – there’s just no recreating the magic that once was GnR, dated as they may be.

Last comment though, one thing is forever true: no press is bad press, and this seems to be stirring up a lot of discussion, so I’m sure it’ll sell well regardless of what we think.

As nice and talented as the new members are, Guns’n'Roses are not GNR without Slash, Duff and company. They are the Axl Rose band, maybe, but not GnR. Axl Rose, talented as he may be, is a jackass of epic proportions so its hard to take the album seriously.

Great album.If you want Slash,listen to horrible Velvet Revolver.

I work at Best Buy and love how we got like probably close to 300 copies…and my store is relatively small compared to others nearby…and we had a sign outside that said something like “most anticipated album EVER” outside, and yet no one knew it even came out Sunday…everyone was waiting to release it Tuesday with Kanye West, which actually came out today…and we only got a dinky little shipper that’s off in the corner that was a pain in the ass to put together!

While this isn’t the “original” Guns N’ Roses, I’m really enjoying this album. It’s something different and the songs are well written. Great guitar solos and excellent melodies. That’s what the focus should be rather than the constantly comparing the old version of the band to the new one.

Gee good thing their name appears three times on the front cover. Were it not for that, someone might mistake it for a Smiths album sans vintage butch poster boy. A non-fuss is exactly the way it should be. Let’s hope this is the last bullshit we hear from Axl Rose.

hmmmm… a few people laughed at me when i bought the album. the cd store was packed but the display with all the cds hadn’t been touched. i’v heard chinese dem. been played once on the radio, quite disapointing. i live in a country town and had to go to city to by it, no one knows it’s out where i’m from…

This is a good album,Axl Rose solo record is more fitting.But the material is great,& there to enjoy,its just music get over guns breaking up already and get a life.

oh yeah fuck best buy itunes had it the 23rd for order.

I agree that the release was tremendously subdued. My Best Buy had its own display that was maybe seven feet tall and was maybe two feet wide and had four sides of CDs and the LPs on the top. They had the album in a few other places but they didn’t look entirely “disturbed.” The sales numbers may be soft the first few days but should pick up on Tuesday, the usual CD and DVD release day and Black Friday should boost things.

The album is very good. Defintely better than Death Magnetic. All the tracks invite repeated listenings. That’s very rare for any album. It comes scary close to being a disaster because it’s so overstuffed, but it is an opus in the end. “Better” is the best song here, but “This I Love” is absolutely fantastic as well. Only disappointment, “Catcher In the Rye” is too cluttered, but of what I’ve seen in reviews, people consider it the most innovative. This is the best rock album in a long time but it’s in the second rung of albums behind the first rung of “Appetite For Destruction” and “The Black Album”.

the most anticipated album of all ime wasnt so anticipated because people new some of the songs already and the build up wasnt as incredible as the industry would think but its out FINALLY. i think the album is produced brilliantly in some aspects were it sounds like old axl and new axl and a very new guns n roses. this GnR is very creative in with there sound and think fits perfect but blends in whatever the tone of which song it is. if wanted the best… they dindnt f in make it

if u dont like chinese democracy… its appointed that your obvisouly stupid and dont knoe musoc

Folks, I’m afraid to say this album is a complete and utter flop. It’s already down to #4 on iTunes with Kayne West leading the way. But nice try anyway, Mr. Rose.

The Best Buy I went to in Commack, Long Island had the seven foot tall cubical display up and they were blasting Appetite.

The album is great…I don’t really care what other people think. Axl made it for himself…and thats why I like it so much.

NAME ONE ROCK BAND THAT STILL HAS THERE ORIGINAL LINE-UP FROM THERE DEBUT ALBUM! ON TOP OF THAT THE WEATHER WAS SHITTY EVERYWHERE SO WHY WOULD PEOPLE STAND IN LINE AT 9 A.M.? … EXCEPT ME OF COURSE! THE BOTTOM LINE IS NEW GN’R OLD GN’R, AXL ROSE HAS ONCE AGAIN CREATED A ROCK N’ ROLL RECORD THAT SOUNDS LIKE NOTHING ELSE OUT THERE RIGHT NOW! HE IS THE GREATEST ROCK N’ ROLL FRONT MAN OF ALL TIME! …. DID ANYONE KNOW THAT RCA DUMPED VELVET REVOLVER FROM THERE LABEL?

Hey all, I did get the new Chinese Democracy and for the most part I loved it. There are a couple of songs that is just not Axl but it was good. A few of the songs were jsut a little bit too sappy. There is also a few that reminds you of the old Axl like I.R.S. Well, all I can say is that I wouldn’t call it Guns N’ Roses but Axl still has it (for the most part). I will always love him!!!!

Best Buy Blows, I was hoping for something a little special, had to hunt around for the disc, buried next That’s Music! Ugh. Oh well I was geeked Got what I need and got out, hopefully to once again never set foot back into that bigbox waste land until their going out of business sale!
GnR Rocks!!!!

There are a few decent songs, like Streets of Dreams (the Blues) and Better. Otherwise for the most part this is a complete joke. Looking for answers should be the title. Velvet Revolver definitely made better music.

Why are 75% of the songs on this album about me?

This is an amazing album. Personally i didn’t want another appetite or illusion album… I wanted to see This album. new, different, Les-Paul-and-Marshall blaring behind axl. Yes, I had the demo leaks last spring…and the full album on FLAC almost 2 weeks ago…and it was still worth waking up early on sunday to buy the real thing. [even if just to read the booklet]

I’ve been letting people listen to it on my iPod, and so far everyone is impressed by it.This is a good album. It’s like buddist zen stuff where you cant step in same water twice, çause currents are always moving. There will never be another Appetite for Destruction… Sheesh… I don’t blame Slash, Duff n’Matt for not wanting to invest almost 2 decades to realize Axl’s vision…. but I’m glad Axl stuck it out. I was 12 when i was listening to AFD…I’ve broadened my musical taste since then. Haven’t you?

Besides, I’m sooooo sick of the 50 Cent/Britany/Game/Nsync/Kanye/ Puffy/Hip Hop and Prefabricated band techno crap that’s been shoved in my face for the last decade
…Slash…Buckethead. ..Tobias…Fincke… I’d rather hear and see any of them holding a Gibson instead of the Jonas Brothers….

I was disappointed by Death Magnetic, and Black Ice…But This G.N’R. album…. Thanks, Axl. It Rocks.

At first it may sound like a bunch of overproduced ideas and sketches that are in search of a song, but give it time and it will reveal itself. There are good moments in Chinese Democracy.

Of course there was little fanfare. First this was NOT a “much anticipated” album by anyone other than RollingStone and a handful of pathetic 80’s leftovers HOPING the magic would still be there 13 years later and Slash-less. Well surprise, surprise. It’s not. Axl made damn sure no one would give a rat’s ass by putting all the “songs” (I use that term VERY loosely) on myspace for the minuses to rush and listen to them and guess what? They sucked. Plain and simple. Not a single FULLY listenable song. I went on for the entertainment factor of reading posts praising Axl’s greatness and genius while rolling around laughing to one song that sounded like it was straight from a bad high school redo of Phantom of the Opera. This album is pathetic. It’s fans are pathetic and worst of all, the fact that it even HAS fans is a disgustingly pathetic sign of the dormancy of the great world of rock and roll. If this is the best we can do, I’ll wait…and wait…and wait.

I’ve been avid guns fan for years now. This CD was like a warped version of guns. I loved Street of Dreams. I thought Axl shined through. The others. You could tell what songs bucket head helped write because of the technical and robot-like shreds. Luckily, I had Appetite in the car also. I popped that in and everything was great.

Hey Steve K—ZZ Top still has the same lineup from their debut album

well i went out and baught it sunday morning. and its an awsome album. the bestbuy i went to people were picking up the album left and right. i was in there for 5 minutes and i saw at least 15 people grab it off the shelf. the album has some really good songs. and people..THIS IS NOT APPITITE FOR DESTRUCTION! every album guns n roses comes out with is completely differnt. look at appitite from use your illusion. wayy different styles of music. this is a great album and its already topping the charts all around the world. great work GnR

well i went out and baught it sunday morning. and its an awsome album. the bestbuy i went to people were picking up the album left and right. i was in there for 5 minutes and i saw at least 15 people grab it off the shelf. the album has some really good songs. and people..THIS IS NOT APPITITE FOR DESTRUCTION! every album guns n roses comes out with is completely differnt. look at appitite from use your illusion. wayy different styles of music. this is a great album and its already topping the charts all around the world. great work GnR

AXL is a rock and roll savior. I love his songwriting & vocals on “Chinese Democracy”.

A bit off topic from amateur criticism, but I have a leaked version of “Better” from May 2007. The mix is a bit more fluid and organic than the album version. That said, “Better” is a phenomenal song. The solo at the end just kills me. I bet someone got some mad ass for laying that lick.

NAME ONE ROCK BAND THAT STILL HAS THERE ORIGINAL LINE-UP FROM THERE DEBUT ALBUM!

Aerosmith (ok, one record with scab guitar players then back to the original)
ZZ Top
RUSH (after 1st record)
The Beatles (ok they are not still making new music)

2 or 3 good songs, the rest are just not what I am looking for in a Guns & Roses record…maybe it will grow on me, but I don’t see liking nu-rock guitar sounds, Nine Inch nails “blurps”, trip hop drum samples, SYNTHY synths or the HEAVY use of outdated pro-tools tricks.

I thought Use Your Illusion was too slick, so maybe this is just no longer the band for me.

Time to dig out the cassette of GNR LIES I guess.

Motley Crue still had the orignal line up…and they still rock…

but thats not even the point….there is no lineup at all with GNR….its not even a band….its the axl rose solo gig and it sucks sooo hard!

Im soooo happy that its flopping like i knew it would!

Axl is a douche….he gets what he deserves!

I don’t think people are reading this full story. If you take a glance at this story it looks like no one should up for the ablum release. But the article is really about how Best Buy didn’t do alot of in store promotion like thier commercials. There was no midnight relase as the stores opened at normal hours. There was no hanging posters and signs promoting the album. The Best Buy that I went to had no displays for the album. But regardless, this albums gonna pull in big numbers.

Jungleland…
The Police
U2
Phish

If you want a little fanfare, Axl has to get off his ass and sell the album as well. Where are the media appearances, or concerts to promote this thing? Honestly, for the “most anticipated album of all time”, there isn’t a lot of marketing for it.

Actually, this is a huge test for Best Buy. The Eagles & AC/DC sold gangbusters in retail exclusives for Wal-Mart. If GNR comes in under 500K, that’s gonna make future decisions from artists a lot easier…which store promotes their exclusives bettter? And let’s be honest, nobody except the hardcore fans have been anticipating the last few AC/DC records, so you gotta hand it to Wal-Mart for the unexpectedly strong sales.

This album is so damn good! With repeated listens, the subtleties and complexities of Axl’s genius really start to reveal themselves.

I keep hearing from these idiots that one needs to listen to this crap over and over and suddenly the genius reveals itself.Are you all fucking morons??? I can’t get past 10-20 seconds of this crap and i have to stop.It is painful and sad!!!! It sucks!! have you no appreciation for the monstrosity that it is? Pleae stop reading rolling stone and form your own opinions about music!! it is just a rag.They don’t know any more about music than you or I!!

Honestly if you dont think this album is good,great or at least decent you have something wrong with you and need to go back listening to beyonce and seriously stop buying and listening to music because its these people who have made rock disappear and made acts like fergie and the jonas brother more popular then AXL ? gotta love the state of music in the U.S

I think this album sucks. I needed the money so I released it.

I needed the money so I released it. I know it’s great because I wrote it.

I saw G’n'R in May before the Use Your Illusion records came out. The show was in Noblesville, IN, at what was then known as Deer Creek. After one song Axl dropped into a long rant, and the show deteriorated from there. I saw them again, with Metallica, a few months later. Axl did the same thing. I vowed never to give him another dime of my money. Fifteen years later, that’s a promise that’s surprisingly easy to keep.

“wtf”, the intros to all the songs are weird. you have to not be all ADD and listen past the first 20 seconds of each song. of course how can you even give an opinion if all you’ve done is skipped through the beginning of each song like an overactive child.

I was pretty excited for the release. Appetite is one of my top ten hard rock albums of all time. And Use Your Illusion (I & II), although are too long, is quite brilliant. This album is over produced, as way too many guitarists doing their own thing and not with each other – it just becomes noise. The album is just a big disappointment. I’ve listened to it 3-4 times and I just can’t get into it.

I think it’s a very good album. Axl sounds amazing.

I bought it, at best buy and on itunes. I needed a real copy just to make sure it was real. Lol. It rocks. Great disc. Axl should be on the cover of RS.

can you all realize this was written like 14 years ago and now fits in with todays stuff. axl rose was ahead of his time.you cant find better misic today that compares! theres nothing! why don’t all you children that have no clue about music go buy the high school musical cd and quit looking for welcome to the jungle cause axl is past that.

Such a shame!The album is excellent but the promotion sucks.It deserved more!And Axl in hiding again doesn`t help the situation!

Little ol Axl caused all this commotion???Well…huh.lol. What does that say.

I don’t think all of it sounds relevant to today’s music. The harmonies on “Rhiad” sound right out of 1986.

Ok, this album sucks get over it. This is how sorry rock music is today that the most anticipated album is a pile of crap. Oh and it isn’t ahead of its time its behind it badly if you want to talk ahead of its time listen to “SMiLE” then we will talk (and i am not talking the one Brian Wilson put out a few years back). This album is like a Danger Mouse wanna be re-mixed Rob Zombie with out takes from GNR old stuff and said here love me. I give the Ax credit at least he stuck with it, but there is nothing new here and nothing of any value sorry guys rock is in a really sorry state.

album is a modern version of Use your illusion. How can you not dig that!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Real artists will love this CD, the rest of you go watch American Idol and let them tell you who to like I’m over you, Some people are not even listening to the songs before they judge. This truly is an amazing CD! ts more than songs it’s a feeling. Being part of a ADD Society is tough sometimes,

sorry, let me correct myself. People with real artistic appreciation.

this album is a major flop and axl can hardly still sing.he just needs money and publicity!ITS TIME TO CALL IT A DAY!!!bro

I see people keep saying things like “Hardly any band has original members…”

Fair enough, but this band has only ONE member and is still trying to use the original band name – it’s ridiculous!!! Aren’t there like 18 different guitarists used on this album?

It stinks and one more time – it AIN’T GUNS ‘N ROSES!!!!!!!!!!

Did the album REALLY need ANYMORE FUCKING PUBLICITY??? I’ve been hearing about the damn thing for over 10 years, how much more marketing can you do?

As for the album, I dig it. Lots of good songs, good riffs… My girlfriend, the BIGGEST GnR fan ever, can’t stand it. I guess you either love it or hate it…

On topic..it’s a shame because rock music deserves attention like this.

Confusious…Axl only needs money and publicity?…lol If he needed money, I don’t think he would have spent $14 million on this album? If he needed publicity, don’t you think we would have seen him more over the past 15 years in the media, or seen more cd’s from him? Don’t you think we might see him doing some interviews? He hasn’t done one interview for CD yet. He doesn’t sell himself out for fortune and fame!! Listen to the song “prostitute”. He will probably, eventually do an interveiw somewhere, but he’s not about that. He lets the music do the talking. He doesn’t need money nor publicity….lol If you don’t like the music or have an agenda against Axl, thats fine, but making thoughtless comments discredits you.

On topic..it’s a shame because rock music deserves attention like this.

Confusious…Axl only needs money and publicity?…lol If he needed money, I don’t think he would have spent $14 million on this album? If he needed publicity, don’t you think we would have seen him more over the past 15 years in the media, or seen more cd’s from him? Don’t you think we might see him doing some interviews? He hasn’t done one interview for CD yet. He doesn’t sell himself out for fortune and fame!! Listen to the song “prostitute”. He will probably, eventually do an interveiw somewhere, but he’s not about that. He lets the music do the talking. He doesn’t need money nor publicity….lol If you don’t like the music or have an agenda against Axl, thats fine, but making thoughtless comments discredits you.

People need to get over the fact that it’s not the “original” line up and how Axl kept the name. Most of you are mistaken…Slash and Duff weren’t original either. Original was Axl, Izzy, Traci Guns, and someone else who I’m not sure about. In any kind of business, you don’t change the name when certain individuals quite like Slash and Duff did. I love Slash, but I personally think Axl has the right since he was in fact the “original” and then both Slash and Duff quite. They were obviously bigger with Slash and Duff, but does that mean you change the name because you were so big at one point? What if this new incarnation of the band gets big, and then a couple people leave, are you going to change the name…you shouldn’t!

Cheap Trick-

4 great chords…4 great guys!

Still original after 35 years and kickin a$$!!

Cheap Trick…Great call. .Love em

Heres the deal…what was Guns N Roses most popular for besides their attitude? In my opinion, it was Axl’s voice..and the great guitar riffs. On Chinese Democracy you still got Axl’s voice. (And it’s just about the same as it was 20 years ago). And you still have the great guitar playing. If you can get over the fact that Slash is gone, you will appreciate this album a little better, because these guitar players are very talented.

Man… i got this album on the 23rd. At first I was kinda like “eh not that bad”. Everything except Shackler’s Revenge was ok. But I can’t even listen to it anymore. The sound is so overproduced, that it would be impossible to even attempt to reproduce live. The guitarists suck and have the whole “let’s fit as many notes into a solo as possible” mentality. Solos are not melodic, drumming is bland, bass is totally inaudible, too electronic… it sounds like dance music, axl’s voice is the only thing that remains. Let’s face it, it’s no longer GNR. And anyone saying that gnr got big because of axl’s voice and the guitar riffs is an idiot. It was THE perfect group of musicians. They meshed together absolutely perfectly, at first anyways.

U2 still have their original lineup, as do countless other bands, but that’s not the point. This isn’t a Guns N Roses record, it’s an Axl Rose solo album. Therefore, I think it should be judged as such, and not at all compared to GnR – it’s simply not a GnR release, and we all know that.

Ok, It’s not the Guns N Roses we know!!! Its the new Guns N Roses!! Or it’s an Axl Rose album!! Whatever it is, it shouldn’t matter. If you like the music, buy it. If you don’t like the music, don’t buy it. I personally think it’s pretty good. Axl has always been different and willing to try new things. It’s not any different with this album. I think there is a little something for everyone. For example, every review that I have read so far suggests different favorite tracks from the next review. Some people love Street of Dreems and some hate it. Some love Sorry, and some hate it. Some love Shacklers Revenge and some hate it..etc.. etc. I think thats the sign of a pretty good album.

I shouldn’t have said hate…all I meant is that everyone has different favorites. I think it’s an album that reaches a lot of people.

Chinese Democracy is Guns N Roses.
These are Axl Rose’s new guns.
Much as I enjoyed both Velvet Revolver albums this is far superior.

Your right black bottom, this is much better than VR. And I think people may be expecting too much out of this album. Somebody below mentioned how the album sucks and that there is only four good songs…..lol Four!!! Do you realize that most good albums have about 2-3 good songs? It’s not like everyone is going to like every song and then at the end…a piece of pizza is going to come shooting out of the cd player..lol

It’s the economy, stupid.

Come on people it is a good cd if you give it a chance. Axl sounds great.
Can you tell me you would listen to some of the new groups crap before
you would this. Sure it is not the old GNR but nothing lasts for ever in the cold November Rain.

I like all the good comments.The negative one are coming from those who probably never really like GNR in the first place. Appetite was Appetite.Lies was still the same. Illusions was not Appetite but very much GnR and they were both great. Chinese Democracy? Sounds like an album thats moved past the last released album to me, but still sounds like GnR. Ok ,it isn’t with Slash,Duff,Izzy or Steven…Ya , it’s an Axl Rose show. And a damn good one. I’m sure most people were looking for GnR in Velvet Revolver.That didn’t happen and it was a big let down except for a few songs and not worth listening to even if you had never heard of Guns n’ Roses or Stone Temple Pilots.

Anyway ,if you hate it, no one can say that you’re wrong , but when you say it’s garbage you are.
I would like to thank Axl for making it even if I am pissed that Slash and company aren’t there because of him .Maybe it’s time for old friends to kiss and make up.
And someone said that Axl was the only original member from the beginning anyway ? The only original member of what? Hollywood Rose you mean? But you’d still be wrong I think. Hollywood Rose and L.A Guns became GnR .Original members : Axl ,Slash, Duff, Izzy and Steven Adler.
Spagetti tasted like shit but I love this Chinese food . You can open your eyes now Axl … it all good .

No, Traci “Guns” and Axl “Rose” started Guns N Roses before Slash was in the band. It didn’t last long, but yes, Axl is technically the original. Izzy was also in that band with Axl.

And I think some of you are misreading this article by saying that it’s the economy or that its not selling well because it sucks..lol It’s not saying that the album isn’t selling well, it’s saying that Best Buy isn’t promoting it that well.

I am a long time Guns n Roses fan and I have to admit I was initially disappointed my first time through the tracks on the CD, However the more you listen more it grows on you. This I love is a great song but sounds more like something you would hear in a movie musical. This is definitely not the original guns n roses sound but at the same time it’s not bad either. I will just have to come to terms with the fact that this is no longer Guns n Roses here but the Axl Rose Project. That original GNR sound only slightly remains in the songs like Chinese Democracy, Better and IRS. The other disappointment was I already heard ½ of this CD over 2 years ago.

Axl is a genious, plain and simple. I miss the other guys too (Slash, Duff, Izzy, and Steven), but it is what is. We are where we are. It’s basically a great experiment, and I think a great one. I read that it is already gone platinum in Finland; that just goes to show you that people in Europe know good music when they hear it — they still appreciate REAL music; not bullsh*t.

wtf?

Platinum in Finland?

“Seems that ‘Sex Farm’ is on the charts in Japan…”

THIS IS NOT GUNS N’ ROSES!
THIS is the axl rose project.
there’s no slash,duff,steven so there’s no gnr.
it’s only in name.
i think gnr died after appetite becuae steven who was such a unique drummer got thrown out then the rest left bit by bit.
it just was never the same after appetite and i have no interest in axl solo as i’ve heard songs off this album.

I actually found, and bought, the vinyl version, along with the CD, at the Best Buy in Germantown, MD. I didn’t realize that I could download the mp3 version of the songs when I bougth the vinyl LP and burn a CD for myself rather than buying the CD version as well, but I guess that’s my fault for not reading the fine print, DUUH!! The music definitely sounds way different than the usual GNR that we have come to know. We got Nine Inch Nails influence, we got lots of ballads, and we even got some funky style songs, thanks to the collaboration of Buckethead. I can definitely see the progress from the first album to this one. ‘Apetite’ was definitely a hard rock album, the Use Your Illusion albums were more melodic, and this one has more sad music, it sounds more like a Pearl Jam album. Will there be a GNR album, or should I say an Axl solo album, anytime in the future? Anyone care to answer this question? I wonder if Slash, Duff and the other ex-members of GNR have this album. I would like to be a fly on the wall and see their reactions when they hear the music.

Calling this band Guns’n'Roses is like calling WINGS .. The Beatles

u2’s achtung baby in terms of innovation you didnt expect this and you’re in shock you dont see slash’s top hat

No, Traci (Guns) and Axl (Rose) in fact started Guns N Roses before Slash and Duff…hence (Guns and Roses) It may have not lasted long but yes, they were the originals.

And some of you are misreading this article. The economy is the reason? Or that album sucks is the reason? It isn’t saying that the album isn’t selling, it’s saying that Best Buy isn’t promoting it well in New York.

I personally like the album. Very different, and that’s what Axl has always been about. When the Illusions came out, people said it didn’t sound like Gn’R either.

Chinese Democracy is brilliant…I can’t stop listening to it. To those that keep bitching that Slash and Duff are gone then it might just be best that you get in your Camaro, comb your mullet and crank your Appetite tape. I love Slash and Velvet Revolver but it is obvious, after listening to Democracy, that Axl is and was the creative force of GnR……because VR can’t hang with Chinese Democracy. Axl….you rock!!

Chinese Democracy is brilliant. I can’t stop listening to it. To those that keep crying that Slash and Duff are gone it might be best that you just get in your Camaro, comb your mullet and crank your Appetite tape. I love Slash and Velvet Revolver, but it is obvious, after listening to Democracy, that Axl was and is the creative force behind GnR….because I haven’t heard anything this good from Snakepit or Velvet Revolver…..Axl, you rock!!

As Guns n’ Roses fans, true Guns n’ Roses fans … who know the history of the band and of the sick music they first released in 1987 …

…if we embraced the musical changes from Appetite to the Illusions, then we can definitely embraces the musical changes from the Illusions to Chinese Democracy. Axl got so much criticism for his creative innovations in songs like November Rain (which we can agree is an awesome song). Let’s face it, going from Mr. Brownstone and Night Train with their edgy raw and pissed off sound – to Catcher in the Rye and Sorry- is obviously going to take some getting used to. But come on people it’s been 21 years since that first album. We’d knock Axl if he DIDN’T grow as an artist wouldn’t we? Instead we knock him because he did? Makes no sense. Nothing will ever sound like the original lineup… but as a Guns n’ Roses fan… a true Guns n’ Roses fan, I was willing to listen to Velvet Revolver and I’m more than willing to give Chinese Democracy a chance. Axl Rose always has been and always will be a brilliant artist. He’s the heart and soul of the band I got an Appetite for Democracy!

Chinese Democracy is great ‘album rock’ music.When all Slash and the rest could do was the crappy and now dropped Velvet Revolver.

Rose’s new guns are about as good as Slash. Maybe better. Maybe not. But the songs are some of the best ever. I don’t hear a single weak track.
Chinese Democracy is no joke!

This is a great album , My favorites songs are better, Street of Dreams and Madagascar . Thanks AXL , I don’t understand those people who are still waiting For Appetite II or Slash come back . This album # 1 in 21 countries in Europe (internet sells)

Just for the hell of it, I listened to “Libertad” first, then “CD”, and then “Libertad” again. CD destroys it hands down.

fan boys, all of you

should be called the Axl Rose project – 5 guitar players to do what Izzy and Slash did while strung out or hung over? ….oooohhh sheer genius.

it may be a good album, it may suck, but it ain’t GNR – Now, gimmie my Pepper and shut it!

If nothing else the article highlights that music should be sold in music stores where it can be properly marketed. Why would anyone expect the retailer (Best Buy) to play the album and piss off the other customers there for electronics. I’m sure Walmart never played the new AC/DC album either. Sickening! A music store would have done the promotion giving it the justice it deserves. Hey, if you are under 30 go to a real music store and see for yourself how great the experience is. In Canada, the album is sold anywhere. The music stores have huge promotional activity (posters, stand-ups, etc). Axl is a genius!

Izzy and Slash CANT do what was done on this album, hung over or not. “Fan boys.” What a turd.

“Rose’s Guns”, would that make you whiny bitches feel better? What bollocks. A good album is a good album. This album is breathtaking in its scope and execution.

This album will grow in regard as time passes. People seem to think that they can recognize great art at first glance. It’s not the case.

Go back an read what the critics (including Rolling Stone) had to say about classic Who, Queen, Velvet Underground, AC|DC or Led Zep.

Chinese Democracy isn’t easy to digest. Fans never like their idols changing, some people will never like this music (or Axl) and let’s face it GnR is no longer young and vital. But this record is strong and unique and will be around for a while.

Great album!!!!

I love you, Axl!

Excellent Menu Of Songs…Something for everyone:)

Song Title “this I Love” alone is worth the purchase of the CD!!

I am buying GNR For everyone in my family!

Looks like the Free Dr. Pepper offer created more of a buzz than this lousy album. I for one will enjoy my Dr. Pepper more than the Guns with no Roses project.

Looks like the Free Dr. Pepper offer created more of a buzz than this lousy album. I for one will enjoy my Dr. Pepper more than the Guns with no Roses project.

Well don’t compare this with the original lineup..Take it as one of the greatest frontmen ever returning with his new album and that too after 17 years..

About the songs..there are some bad ones but songs like THIS I LOVE and STREET OF DREAMS are really great songs…

Please don’t disrespect Axl’s talent..He may be a jerk but he has provided some really beautiful songs over the years..

i’m a die hard gnr fan but now i’m a die hard axl fan
things had changed
the gnr cd should had been in every magazine last page
posters, net mp3, radio plays, pins .. this is what made music great the chance to get it now with the exclusive agreements its hard to find the cd here where i live which is in BAHRAIN and the best buy price online was higher then amazon + post .. while in the UK it had its fans and its everywhere availabe, best buy sucks

This album rocks! You gotta listen to it a few times though. Because trust me, this album is not easy to get into. My first listen. i only like 5 or 6 tracks and after mutiple listen, i like all the tracks except 1. All i can say is try it for yourself and with a good pair of Headphone too.

Awesome album!
So happy it is fianallyu here. It is my favorite album. Axl your vocal arrangements are amazing ( u know this) the instruments and lyrics are the BEST!

this album keeps on getting better and better! i can’t stop listening to it!

AXL rocks!!!Period.
All the songs have great lyrics and music. Come on, one cannot listen to the same type of songs. GNR has changed, their sound has evolved and axl has the same old passion for creating great songs.

Maybe the reason behind their sluggish sales is because they waited more than a decade to bring out a new CD. I don’t blame the other band members for leaving because of the tanties Axl pulled. Best Buy did put up signs and stuff way before the CD even came out so don’t give me the they diddn’t do anything to promote the CD.

Bottom line is the CD was in no way “the most anticipated album of all time”…

how can anyone not wanna buy this great CD, it freakin rocks, great lyrics, great tunes, great voice by AXL