I’m so glad that there are people who can think logically for themselves and realize that Kanye’s 450K was ALL retailers VS. GNR’s 261K at ONE retailer. I wish someone could find Kanye sales at Best Buy alone to do a fair comparison

Responding “John Lennon” post : That’s because Maybe RS receive more money form Kanye or Britney Spears and don’t receive $$$ from GNR due they are not proportioning to much this album . Believe it or not Chinese -Democracy is great and now is # 1 , Believe it or not Britney Spears is the cover of RS instead of GnR .

Taylor Swift and Def Leppard. Whoda thunk it?

Best seller worldwide!

Modern Rock Maestro delivers!

His vocals are always superior - diversity and power - original talent at its finest!

Axl IS Guns N Roses

Why RS doesn’t say Chinese Democracy in Now # 1 in the world ??? Maybe in US it is not , but the most impotant thing is that is # ONE in the World wide.

Yo, I gotta think that Best Buy was the wrong retailer for Chinese Democracy.

Best Buy just isn’t a store that people HAVE to go to. It doesn’t sell clothing, food, motor oil, pharmaceuticals or hair-care products.

Wal-Mart sells all of those things.

I’m sort of impressed that GNR Sold 261,000 records in spite of the fact that people had to go out of their way to by it.

I think they would have done double the business at Wal-Mart. Why? Because Wal-Mart is everywhere, and in this economy, everyone goes there all of the time.

Word.

Isn’t it more amazing that Chinese Democracy was the biggest selling album in the world? American teenyboppers don’t have the patience to get into this masterpiece of an album. They would rather listen to Taylor Swift’s album once and resell it.

After 15 years, Guns N’ Roses is outselling everyone in the world.
No one ever done that in the history of music…only Axl Rose.
“Don’t you try to stop us now”

Axl’s album doesn’t appeal to everyone and its not supposed to. 2 is a pretty good spot for what kind of music this is, not everyone is going to be into it and I don’t buy the no pub thing, everyone knows about this album and if they don’t they will within the 2 weeks of it being out.

In a world where brandon flowers and pete wentz are our “rock” stars we need axl now more then ever

I think price is definitely a factor. I bought Taylor Swift’s album because amazon.com was selling it for $3.99. I had never listened to her before, but I sampled a few tracks and decided it was worth 3.99. I still haven’t listened to it. Meanwhile I paid $13.99 for David Cook’s album at Walmart (they had a bonus track) and I’ve listened to it at least 10 times. BTW, I love it!
So if both albums are good, but David’s costs 3 times more than Taylors’, it’s not surprising that she sold more copies.

Chinese Democracy has no megahits, but I am blown away by how great this album it is. I guess it should be, after 15 years of work. I had to listen to it about five times to really get it. I now take Axl even more seriously than before. The writing, especially the music, is great. It’s unfortunate they could not have somehow gotten this out in the mid ’90’s when it would have received its proper due. But I really don’t care who buys the album, as long as I have it. Axl really is a genius. An unfairly underrated musician because he happened to come along during the hair band era.

interesting….Chinese Democracy is the #1 selling album in the world, outselling Kanye by over 100,000 copies…yet you people claim its a bust…Please explain that rationale to me? Just because it was #3 in the US? Look at who RS put on the cover of this month’s magazine(Brintey Spears) and tell me what taste the US has in music these days! Best Buy has 1000 stores in the US, not exactly an easy place to find in certain areas. Thats about 261 copies sold per store…not to bad with absolutely zero promotion from GNR.

The Best Buy exclusive idea was probably not the best idea. The local independent store IS selling the new GNR, but its a bit more expensive since the only copies they can sell are the import versions. (my favorite import is the one with the GNR TURBIN!)
GNR should have had it available everywhere and done something exclusive for best buy if they wanted to go that route. Maybe a bonus disc or documentary on the album. Keep in mind just how many different demo versions and other songs there must be after 17 years. Would have made for a good bonus.

Hell, there should have been a documentary on Bucketheads unorthordox recording requirements.
Give Axl a break and look into this. This guy had to record his parts in full costume INSIDE a specially built chicken coop in the studio. AND he had ceiling to floor Marshall stacks filling a room and mic’ed to record his parts.. No exaggeration, DOZENS of cabs.
(A friend of mine witnessed this a few years ago in the studio he was interning at.)

And then he quit the band. He alone probably racked up millions.

So you know.

The song “Chinese Democracy” was originally titled “Silkworms”. “Street Of Dreams” was titled “The Blues”.

I wish “Oh My God” was on the album. Great song.

The album would have went number one in the first week, if all the leaks and inferior demos weren’t passed around the internet. Its sad that its almost impossible to be excited for a record anymore since release dates mean shit at this point… It’s a shame.

What a bust.

This album had disappointing numbers because the brand name of Guns N’ Rose means little or nothing to many people. Anyone who is 17 or under wasn’t alive the last time a G n R album of originals was released and the songs on this one are not good enough to get radio play and draw new attention.

The collection has no obvious hits — Axl spent a decade on it and this is the best he could come up with? Please. This things is going to be falling down the charts a quick.

Billboard just confirmed
Chinese Democracy # 1
684.000 copies worldwide on it’s first week!!!!
Axl Rose is back at the top

this is very simple, the reason chinese democracy didn’t go #1 is because Axl has gone completely AWOL, no promotion equals no number 1 spot. BUT CD did sell the most copies worldwide this week. If anything the fact that Axl is able to hit the charts where he did, without any promo, a 15 year wait, and the lack of interest for the most part in young people, is a great achievement.

I miss the old Axl Rose. My band has dedicated our career to mourning the downfall of Mr. Rose.

I miss the old Axl Rose. My band has dedicated our career to mourning the downfall of Mr. Rose.

U think AXL Rose cares to be #1? I dont think so. Chinese Democracy already sets a mark in music history as the biggest rock fiasco. No one, not Kanye, no band, not even Coldplay can triumph the milestone of Chinese Democracy.

Slash and Duff, do visit Axl n Izzy this Christmas. U guys need to reform before death comes knocking…

GnR didn’t hit#1? So what…
It was only at Best Buy? So what…
In the long run the disposable music will be gone in two years and like it or not people will still be listening to Chinese Democracy, and kids will still be buying it.
I worked in music retail for years… Hip Hop and Pop is very fickle.
No one buys the old albums when they get into a style of music. I never had a twelve year old in 2004 come in and ask for Run DMC’s Raising Hell, but I had a lot of 12 year olds looking for Use Your Illusion.
Longevity is the key, ask the guy who decided to put of the Eagles Greatest Hits…

GnR didn’t hit#1? So what…
It was only at Best Buy? So what…
In the long run the disposable music will be gone in two years and like it or not people will still be listening to Chinese Democracy, and kids will still be buying it.
I worked in music retail for years… Hip Hop and Pop is very fickle.
No one buys the old albums when they get into a style of music. I never had a twelve year old in 2004 come in and ask for Run DMC’s Raising Hell, but I had a lot of 12 year olds looking for Use Your Illusion.
Longevity is the key, ask the guy who decided to put of the Eagles Greatest Hits…

I think there aer a couple of factors why chinese demco didn’t sell as well, most of which have been already said in the below posts. I too agee with some of the post that this record is just a “good” record. However it’s far from a “masterpiece” as some would call it. I personally only dig a few songs on it as a lot of the tracks are way too bloated, just too much stuff going on. I think if it was stripped down just a little bit, this record would be so much better. But that’s just my opinion. I did expect the album to sound different from previous GNR stuff but a lot of the tracks are waaaaay left field……All in all I’m glad Axl did finally release it & i don’t know if anyone else feels this way but I think we can all finally move on now that it’s out. The albums out, it’s a good record and I’m not sure if I really care if Axl puts out anymore new music….there’s only one thing left I’d like to see Axl do and thats get back together with his orignal boys. No to make new music, but just to bring things full circle….I know its far fetched but stranger things have happened.

You people criticizing Axl Rose and Chinese Democracy crack me up. Id be willing to place money on the face that none of you have even heard the album. Can you honestly say with a straight face that Kanye West & Taylor Swift are better musicians than Axl Rose? The man is a genius and the fact that he is still relevant today after 17 years just shows you how much of a genius he is. Look how riled up you people get when GNR is mentioned. Case in point if you dont like GNR you are should go play in traffic.

You people criticizing Axl Rose and Chinese Democracy crack me up. Id be willing to place money on the face that none of you have even heard the album. Can you honestly say with a straight face that Kanye West & Taylor Swift are better musicians than Axl Rose? The man is a genius and the fact that he is still relevant today after 17 years just shows you how much of a genius he is. Look how riled up you people get when GNR is mentioned. Case in point if you dont like GNR you are should go play in traffic.

Maybe the album didn’t sell that well because it *gasp* just wasn’t that good.
Just sayin

brady bunch/ school yard drama from a spoiled and disgruntled ex front man, who’s trying to get back on top.
it’s all marketing CT.
you bought it hook, line, and sinker.
if the next one takes 15 years to come out, china might BE a democracy by then.
the W. will then stand for WHO ?

when axl decides to show his face cd will spike up. appetite for destruction sold less than 100,000 for its first year. it ended up selling 15 million. the first week means nothing. cd will continue to cell. kanye? no way hes a terrible musician. taylor swift? a sweet girl probably but boring pop.

Something out of the ordinary is going on with Axl Rose and to say that about Axl suggests there is really something out of the ordinary happening.

What goes through the mind of an individual who has for the better part of the last twelve years worked on a project that seemingly was a labour of love, enlist top talent (both artistically and technically) and disappear from the face of the earth weeks before its release never to resurface?

Are these the actions of a man who believes in his work? Who is proud of his work? Who is interested in the commercial success of his work? Are these the actions of a man that cares what people think of his work?

Axl Rose’s behaviour throughout the entire Chinese Democracy process defies logic, historical precedence and any resemblance to sane artist/label traditional relationships.

Maybe that’s the point.

Kurt Cobain once said that “Axl Rose” has been played before, meaning he’s unoriginal in his behaviour and presumably his artistic output. He was wrong on both counts.

If Axl Rose is anything it’s original. Regardless of what one thinks of him be it a scared man, a childish brat or a maverick rebel one thing is for sure he does what he wants when he wants period. Never in the history of recorded music has an artist been able to do what Axl Rose has accomplished and that is give the vampiric music industry the biggest “FUCK YOU” it has ever witnessed. Clearly the man will not be contained and tow the company line. Clearly Axl Rose will not fall in line. Clearly Axl Rose will not peddle his creation because label wants him to. As far as he’s concerned his job is done. He delivered what the label wanted and that’s a compact disc.

Would I have wanted a “traditional” roll out for Chinese Democracy (meaning interviews, videos, magazine covers etc),…maybe. You know what’s more fun? Thinking Axl Rose dosen’t give a fuck about anything (especially the label) because if Chinese Democracy’s release actually went smoothly wouldn’t that just fly in the face of what is everything Axl/GN’R which is chaos.

I was actually expecting Chinese Democracy and Axl to have a smooth roll out. Videos, interviews, media attention , magazine covers and I thought why did I think that? When has anything Axl or GN’R gone smooth in over a decade? Never!

This Chinese Democracy release is a disaster by ANYONE ELSE’s standards but by Axl’s it’s par for the course and for that reason Axl Rose and Chinese Democracy’s release has been genius!! It’s part of the reason we all love him and stuck with Axl/GN’R over VR in the first place.

He is chaos incarnate.

How much albums sell kanye west in 17 years?? or quite that fact, maybe nobody will seel albums at that time jaja , but how many people have interest in his space and how many in axl`s?? how many people get kanye in his last worldwide tour and howmany axl? remeber, america`s not the whole world!! it`s pretty simple don`t you think?

I can’t believe some of you people! First, and foremost, GnR had best buy exclusive! Do you think there label didn’t send out as many albums, as Def Jam did for Kanye West. I live in north carolina, I got up to get kanye’s record before I went to work, and it wasn’t even out! Let me say this, I have tons of respect for axl rose, and I am extremely happy that Chinese Democracy saw the light of day, but who is axl rose in today’s music industry? On the otherhand, kanye west is arguably the #1 artist on the planet right now. Let’s face the facts, when GnR was popular, the internet didn’t exist, people bootleg shit all the time now! I had both albums a week before they cam out, and still purchased both, bc I love music! But let’s be realisitc, axl rose is a nobody in 2008, and kanye west is everything!

jaja Axl is dad for many of those bands who only response to the market, he goes far putting what he wants, no matter what you think, that is art, ins`t this all about?? he don`t try to fight with others or look more heavier o cooler, so……..he`s just axl rose, jajaja, so enjoy the damn record!!

BOB luvs boydong

You american people only look to your belly, don’t you?
Chinese Democracy is # 1 at worldwide sales (it didn’t make top in US, UK and Spain). After 17 years, tell me who can do that? NOBODY.
As far as US sales thing is, people are not buying cds anymore, they’re losing their homes and their jobs…everyone sold less than expected. Also, the exclusivity with best buy killed the sales, Wal Mart was a best choice.
Chinese Democracy is a masterpiece and Axl Rose is still the best…call me again when Kanye sells 130 million albuns and gest 250.000 in a concert (like Axl did by himself in Rio 2001). Kanye concert in Brazil was a completely fiasco

nobody in the median 35 year old age group demographic gives a rats ass about axl rose and his latest record.
they have jobs, mortgages and kids, just like you said.
get a grip.
what about it BOB ?
more kool aid, please.

People that drink the Axl kool-aid are really funny. Probably still drive a camaro and have mullets. Easy to piss off too.

Legitimacy in eyes of doucheBOB.

Question: How many records would Taylor Swift or Kanye West sell if they took a 17 year sabatical? Would they be able to obtain an exclusive release at Best Buy? Chinese Democracy is an OUTSTANDING album. As a die-hard Slash fan it pains me to say that many of the songs are as strong or stronger than they were in the bands original incarnation. The reason the record isnt flying off the shelves is because its fan base’s median age is about 35 years old. Peopkle in that demographic have jobs, mortgages and kids to worry about. Once they get around to buying it, they will understand why W. Axl Rose is one of of the most important musical figures of the last 50 years. The diversity of musical styles in the 14 tracks far surpasses the diversity in the entire catalog of Kanye, Taylor Swift and the Killers.

Well!!! We have BOB’s guidelines for what is legitimate!!! Take note, all possible future band lineups!!! As long as it’s OK by BOB, then you are good to go!!!

who’s the bigger spoiled baby,
axl or kanye ?

Gilmour did tour without RW as floyd, but he did have nick and rick with him. It’s okay by me if at least half of the members are present.(Except in the case that LED ZEP goes out without plant and calls itself LZ)

Britney’s on the cover, she’ll sell records. No cover for Kanye, no big figures.

It’s obvious you have to put up Kanye against 50 Cent for him to sell records, or at least put him on the cover.

i dont care bout the rankings…”Chinese Democracy” is the answer to all that RNB/POP music…rock is not dead..

Best Buy wasn’t the best choice I think. If you look at the RS coverage of the release, there were tons of stores with copies. Also, there was little to no promotion by Best Buy. Nevermind the fact that rock fans seem to still have taste and don’t want a record from the Axl Rose Project. It’s a joke, the record is decent at best, and the timing was all wrong. Maybe Axl will crawl back in a hole now.

One has to only look at Velvet Revolver to see that Axl and GNR is better off without those losers.And Axl did not have Rick Rubin to walk him through the music.Axl Rose is Rick Rubin.

Chinese Democracy is a sub par album, period. There are some good songs but nothing that stands out… and I am a fan of GN’R. Axl should continue his retirement and not make music again.

The only rationale that matters is Axl’s, to himself. He had the balls to call his new band “Guns and Roses”, and didn’t give a damn what anyone else thought. It really is the ultimate “fuck you” to anyone criticizing him simply because of the name he chooses to put he record out under. I have a feeling Axl could care less whether or not this is viewed as legitimate. If you work on something for 14 years and finish it, whether its Chinese Democracy, the Panama Canal or sculpture made out of dominoes, it’s legitimate in the creators’ eyes.

the killers rock they should have got number 1 not kanya.

People who say “I think not” are droids sent from the future to suck……our souls

Did David Gilmour tour as Pink Floyd without Roger waters? We need a public outcry about that.

If W. Axl Rose owns the name Guns and Roses, isn’t it his to do with as he pleases? Just wondering….

???, by that rationale, if Paul or Ringo put out a new album as “the beatles” or david gilmour as “pink floyd”, the name on the label alone would make them a legitimate release by those bands. I think not.

Chinese Democracy was available in 1/100th the locations that , Kanye West, Taylor Swift, et al was available in, and about 1/3 the outlets that Black Ice was available in. I think it did, and will continue to do, pretty damn good in this format.

Taylor Swift=non threatening, non groundbreaking, vanilla

Axl Rose=innovative, genius, megalomaniac

Still don’t get it Bob. Thaqt record is titled Guns n Roses, “Chinese Democracy” and for good reason. The other members left the band. If there’s a record titled under Axl Rose, I have yet to see it. And once the Taylor Swifts of the world get their wallpaper albums purchased, stuffed in stockings, and recycled back to the used CD store, Chinese Democracy will have plenty of staying power.

Please… Axl Rose in 2008?? Rock is dead folks just look at the RS cover clientele..

Yes, it’s called chinese democracy.

Axl has a solo record?

The new Axl solo record is also garbage.

GNR’s album sold so little because there was little to no promotion. Isn’t Axl proud of this album? He should be out there promoting it. Why isn’t radio behind it? DC’s rock station, DC101, has not played it at all. I wouldn’t be surprised if corporate shunned it from their playlist. The album is much better than your standard Hinder, Nickelback, etc. Radio is no one’s friend these days.

BTW, the new Killers album is garbage and belongs out of the top 5. Apparently jackets with feathers on the shoulders =/= sales

The GnR record flopped because it’s totally sub-par, contrary to Rolling Stone’s incredibly overly-generous review.

axl rose is a loser from yesterday; bad timing is everyting; and axl’s 15 minutes are up—that’s why chinese democracy selling bad.

How awesome for Taylor! I’m so happy she’s still doing better than all these big new releases. It just goes to show that you can have a big name, but people still know good music when they hear it.

Best Buy’s display said Chinese Democracy was the most anticipated album of all time. I guess it wasn’t even the most anticipated of the week.
What a HUGE dissapointment that has to be for everybody. Isn’t that what more or less what Velvet Revolver’s first cd did in it’s first week?
Although, in all fairness, Axl didn’t do shit to promote this album. Where were the media appearances? Where was the “tell all” Rolling Stone article where he discusses the making of CD and the reason for no-showing the Philly concert (Oh yeah, Axl is a pussy, he’ll never own up to that one)?
I’m amazed at how the whole thing felt rushed and unplanned. Even the inner sleeve to CD felt like there wasn’t much put into it. I think Axl didn’t promote this thing all that well so he would have a reason in case this thing bombed, which it did, horribly.