Chinese Democracy - Guns n Roses
Chinese Democracy Image
  • Summary: The long-gestating Guns N' Roses album finally sees the light of day.
Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 12 out of 28
  2. Negative: 2 out of 28
  1. Here are the simple things about Chinese Democracy: Three of the songs are astonishing. Four or five others are very good. The vocals are brilliantly recorded, and the guitar playing is (generally) more interesting than the guitar playing on the "Use Your Illusion" albums.
  2. It is ridiculous. It is overblown, it's pompous, it's aggressive and it's absurdly ambitious. But, here's the rub: it's actually pretty damn good. It rocks, often pretty hard.
  3. Even if it came out in 1996, it would still be self-absorbed, turgid, over-produced and soulless.

See all 28 Critic Reviews

Score distribution:
  1. Negative: 12 out of 130
  1. 10
    This is an incredible album. On this album, we find some of the most articulate music and masterful writing ever created by Axl Rose. In many ways, this album goes beyond anything that Guns N' Roses have done previously in their career, and it explores brand new territory that would not have been possible with the old lineup. I think that Axl and his new group of musicians have managed to create something brilliant in 'Chinese Democracy'; intelligent, diverse, well-constructed, well-produced, powerful, soulful music that rises above mediocrity and into the realms of pure brilliance. From the aggressive music of the title track, to the emotion of "There Was a Time", I love every moment and every aspect of this album. I now see why Axl took so long to create this album - he was perfecting it, and making it flawless. And this pays off with the final product - what I consider to be a masterpiece. It's just too bad that people allow this album's rough history to blind them from the actual quality of the music. And it's sad to see so many people resenting this album simply because it doesn't sound like "classic Guns." I strongly suggest all rock music listeners to open your ears and your minds to the exceptional music of 'Chinese Democracy'. Expand
    • 1 of 1 users said yes
  2. Don
    5
    I find it very mediocre. I like one song, a few are almost okay, and the rest really suck. Over-produced and soulless really says it all, PM. I agree. Expand
    • 0 of 0 users said yes
  3. Patrick
    3
    The whole thing sounds like a grotesque rock-opera parody—as if Jeff Lynne convinced Meatloaf to sing for Powerman 5000 and a slew of soullessly proficient studio players. There are occasional moments of interest, but nothing about this more-more-more approach is innovative or groundbreaking. Axl's concept of "artistry" is, apparently, to cram together as many clichés as technologically possible. Maybe he's being ironic? Expand
    • 0 of 0 users said yes

See all 130 User Reviews

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