User Score
Generally favorable reviews- based on 427 Ratings
User score distribution:
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Positive: 348 out of 427
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Mixed: 27 out of 427
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Negative: 52 out of 427
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W.AxlR.Mar 17, 2009A flawless album. Will be in my top 5 for ever.
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MantleL.Nov 24, 2008
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RonniePNov 30, 2008The best album I've listened to in a while. A mish-mash at times but it works. As far as the critics go. You can't trust them to review big event albums, they loose the plot when they think their review will be scrutinized.
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RogerC.Jan 9, 2009Out of the shit I have leading up to this album I was expecting to be disappointed. I am completely amazed. Everyone that says negative things about this album, obviously is not hearing the music and focusing on other thing that have no relevancy. Axl did an extremely well job! All you other get a clue!
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BTMay 7, 2009sounds terrible after first few listens. Gets better after 5-10. Then becomes a absolute epic album afterwards. Close to all the tracks you'd never skip.
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StevenS.Nov 28, 2008
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PaulJDec 2, 2008
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PaytonB.Dec 3, 2008I have been waiting for an album like this since 1993. There's simply been nothing. I've pacified myself with bands like Nickelback, but nothing, and I mean nothing, was a substitute for the greatest rock band not named "Beatles".
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PaulR.Dec 9, 2008The first time i listened to it .. i thought it was total crap .. i kinda liked "better" .. but just skimming thru the songs .. i hated it... After listening thru the album a few times.. im hooked on several of the songs... its different.. but kool. I believe i was biased due to the fact i enjoyed the original GNR in 87 and was hoping for more of the same.
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SeanJ.Jan 3, 2009If taken as an Axl Rose solo album, it's very enjoyable. Comparisons to the incomparable Appetite will only bring it down, as they would any album.
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BucketH.Jan 6, 2009
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daveuFeb 2, 2009Could have been better,,, but all in all a great offer by AXL and I wish him all the very best for future and hope to see them releasing one more soon.
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TequilaD.Nov 23, 2008
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PeterT.Nov 23, 2008Very good album composed and crafted by an artist as opposed to studio hacks. A lot of artistic integrity on display though it's probably not for everyone or even every GNR fan.
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LucasW.Nov 23, 2008Yea I agree with Steve R, People should just listen to the album for what it is and not be stuck in the mentality that its not as good because the original members arent there. Because it is a great album!
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RFNov 24, 2008Better than expected. A few overproduced tracks, but less filler than the Illusions. Superior to 99% of the crap that's come out in the past few years.
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AlanS.Nov 24, 2008Axl Rose still has it!! I was even one of the sceptics about this album but its rocks, simple as that. Hope to god a world tour is on the cards!
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JimmyTNov 24, 2008Fantastic album, well worth the wait! There is pretty much no filler on this album! All killer! Swirling like a storm Chinese Democracy blows your speakers out but ends on a peaceful fadeaway (Estranged-esque) on brilliant track "Prostitute". Pick this up now!
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PeteRNov 24, 2008
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bennykNov 25, 2008
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TUFNov 25, 2008
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EvanW.Nov 25, 2008Album of the year, no doubt, the range of songs cannot be found anywhere else this year and is the most complete album this decade since Songs For The Deaf from Queens Of The Stone Age. Do yourself a favour and pick up this album, it's worth the 12.99 and then some.
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SirkK.Nov 25, 2008Not one bad song on this album,definetly worth the wait and much better then the Illusions albums.
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GeoffS.Nov 26, 2008
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AdamU.Nov 26, 2008Half of the album is astonishingly good at first listen. The second half may not resonate with "Appetite Era" Guns fans right away but become down-right infectious after the second/third pass. No album (by any band) could ever live up to the hype that awaited Chinese Democracy upon it's release. Take away the expectations and let yourself hear this album for the great work that it is.
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GaryM.Nov 27, 2008
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RichB.Nov 27, 2008
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JacintoHNov 27, 2008This is a fantastic album and Axl does a great job of singing to us. Anyone who claims otherwise fits into the pool of Axl haters. Most of the new music CD's sound like the bands previous albums. This is different. Like UYI was to AFD. GNR evolves, and makes great music. The fans love Axl, and as someone once put, music just sounds better when it comes out of Axl's mouth!"
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BrianF.Nov 28, 2008Roses voice is better than ever and the instrumentation of each song is great. The only thing lacking in some areas are the lyrics.
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TristanLNov 30, 2008Actually a pretty amazing album. You can tell who does the solos and strangely this makes for a more wholesome album. Fabulous.
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shawnb.Nov 30, 2008This album, though highly anticipated and long awaited, can stand on the meritt of the music. Amazing is all I can say. Initially, I really tried to listen with an open mind and not be swayed by the release of this album finally coming. I was grabbed by the very first track and wasn't released until it was over.
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AndyPDec 10, 2008
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GoranK.Dec 1, 2008
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AndrewI.Dec 10, 2008
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RobD.Dec 10, 2008OK listen up, this CD does not have any hit
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ThomasB.Dec 10, 2008Very good album, better than I expected. The songs have good variety. Good vocals and exceptional guitar work help make this a great album that has a negative reputation simply because of what it is.
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ChrisL.Dec 2, 2008I really like the Vocals and Love the instrumentals on this album, I say great job to Axl and the Boys...Fuck all the critics, the music is for the fans.
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TomNJan 13, 20094 or 5 songs blow me away. The others are simply good. Name another album out there that has 3 - 5 songs that blow people away....not many.
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BillR.Jan 30, 2009Good Album. It took a little while to grow on me so listen to it a few times.
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BrockC.Jan 5, 2009
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RichardC.Jan 7, 2009
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PaudieMFeb 10, 2009A stunning masterpiece of musical arrangements. Axl is on top form vocally and the guitars are amazing. Prostitute is possibly the most perfect song on the album.
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WillBMar 28, 2009All the songs are awesome. I knew GNR wouldn't disappoint with theis disk! My hat is off to Axl. Rock on.
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DuduC.Aug 22, 2009It's very different from the past and one must accept this, however, great songs ar still present on this album with the best being "This I love", first time I heard it a tear came down.
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AbbasMAug 3, 2009Well...i was waiting to hate it when it came out but after listening to it it's butt kicking, face-melting,gigantic power-ballad rock n' roll at its best. And Axl still has THE voice.
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davepSep 5, 2009Great album. there was a time is pure class.
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bobt.Nov 23, 2008
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SteveRNov 23, 2008This album probably won
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RobC.Nov 23, 2008Any critic who rates this album poorly either doesn't know anything about rock music or they have an egenda. This is not a perfect album, but it is damn good. The songs have a tendency to grow on you, and maybe some of these critics who are looking for instant hooks aren't capable of listening with forethought. It's sounding better as I listen to it more.
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GavinW.Nov 24, 2008Over produced as expected, but what a fantastic album. So much better than the Illusion albums and everything a proper rock album should be.
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AlexPNov 24, 2008The problem with those less than steller critic reviews is that, if this were a debut album, they would give it a 100, but instead they must compare unfavorably to time that have past ( a long time ago ). Its only not perfect because ironically Axl's perfectionism. A great rock record.
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SpacemanSpiffNov 24, 2008Somme good solid hyper songs, some soft, empty balads. Good riifs and good melodies. But overall, overproduced.
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g.Nov 24, 2008Listened to it only at Myspace so far but I can't wait to buy this. It's definitely GN'R despite the fact that of the old band only Rose remains. Those who liked GN'R back in the 90s will most probably like it now too, and like it a lot. A great return.
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GuibeP.Nov 24, 2008The Album is plain Rokc And Roll, with Axl hittin all the high usual notes, with ease. The songs are big rock walls, ready to punch your ears!
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MarkBNov 24, 2008How can any artist live up to 17 years of anticipation, expectation, and hype? Axl and the band did a pretty darn good job of it.
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DaveyHNov 25, 2008
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OmarK.Nov 25, 2008
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CoryPNov 25, 2008
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JonC.Nov 25, 2008Much better than any "rock" album out today, sure it's not the old school GnR, so just enjoy it for what it is.
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SergioJNov 26, 2008
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JimBNov 27, 2008The CD is so emotional that it is amazing. The Vocals are amazing and the guitar work is out of this world. Most people hate the album because the media portrayed Axl as this bad guy that kicked his old bandmembers out when infact the quit because they coundn't have their way. Let the music speak for itself.
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GustavoS.Nov 29, 2008This a great album, and you have to listen to it a few times to discover every sound and trick they used. I think there something for every one and I wish "Use your Illusion" (one of the greatest from te 90´s) would take so mucho time, it would be perfect.
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NaNaNov 29, 2008
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TBoneNov 29, 2008
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JoeHNov 29, 2008On first listen the over-production dominates, but gradually the quality of the songwriting shines through. Although, perhaps, it never feels like an album created by a 'band', it is one packed with quality. Both aggressive and melodic, Chinese Democracy is difficult to pinpoint - for some this is a weakness; others a strength - but it's never dull.
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ElDiabloNov 30, 2008Much better than anybody thought it would be. The great irony is if that this record took so long that it's release is completely anti-climactic and the world actually misses out on one of the great rock albums of the past 20 years.
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MarklarMDec 11, 2008
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GarethWDec 10, 2008
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GregPDec 10, 2008
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RyanCDec 17, 2008Although i did like some songs on the album i was dissapointed in the deliverance. The former glory GNR once had was lost on this album, as well as going mainstream they've lost the balladry and flair they used to have. Sadly Axl has taken the band into a direction where they will be considered washed up.... Oh Slash where art thou?
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IannisL.Dec 26, 2008Everyone who says that this album is average, makes a mistake. Ok, It sounds a bit different and from the old classics of guns, it hasn't the greatest rifs but its worth listening and buying it! One of the bests albums of 2008. Attention:it contains tracks which will be classic such as ''this i love''.
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BOBNOXIOUSSDec 30, 2008
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JDCJan 27, 2009Not up to expectations but still very good. Grows on you the more you listen.
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GosBJan 27, 2009
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dansFeb 17, 2009
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seancFeb 23, 2009
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JamesHJun 15, 2009At its lowest ("This I Love", "Scraped", the title track, and "Sorry"), "Chinese Democracy" is a narcissistic, overdone, overdue, and overbearing mess. But at its finest ("Better", "Street of Dreams", and "Prostitute"), the album suggests that, yes, the 15-year wait was worth it after all.
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JohnsonHJul 18, 2009This CD is so good i have listened to it so many times.
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ShawnMSep 11, 2009A perfect record, absolutely flawless.
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NeilPSep 21, 2009I feel 13 again, as if I've just heard rock and roll for the first time.
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joekNov 23, 2008Axl is back to show the music world what it's been missing for the last 20 years. Axl's vocals alone are something to behold. He is simply one of the greatest song-writers of our time.
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BigTimeNov 23, 2008Great record from start to finish. Do yourself a favor and check it out.
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EvanT.Nov 23, 2008Not old guns. But this is still good music.
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JKNov 23, 2008Killer production value, great songs, uncompromised integrity, and most importantly, worth the wait!!!
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EricaJ.Nov 23, 2008This is the best album I've heard in a long time. It gave me goosebumps. There Was a TIme...Madagascar...Prostitute...all unbelievable songs. The only one that is even "just okay" is Sorry. Still....it's better than a lot out there.
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RodrigoL.Nov 23, 2008I agree it's not perfect, but goddamn it, Chinese Democracy gets closer than anything i've ever heard. I just love six tracks on it and there's only one I really don't like that much.
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LukeNov 24, 2008Of course, the indie critics will loathe this album. Little do they know that their own brand of "good" bands are way more forgettable than this single release. When I listened to "Chinese Democracy" last evening, I was blown away at all of the angles for individual songs. I admire anyone who can put music like this together. Kudos to Axl Rose; it is a grand achievement.
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PaulM.Nov 24, 2008
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RyanZ.Nov 24, 2008Axl turns in a quality rock record that holds up after repeated listens. Who would have thought Chinese Democracy would actually be any good? But here we are.
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MichaelCNov 24, 2008Didnt know what to expect. Very nice to see a great album from a band I once loved. In all fairness I really hoped this would be good. The news is that it is good.
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RomeoR.Nov 24, 2008
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RajRNov 24, 2008
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JesseBNov 25, 2008
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JonathanENov 25, 2008
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JoeyD.Nov 25, 2008
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JeffN.Nov 26, 200814 solid, diverse, well-thought out tracks. I like how almost all of the bad reviews focus entirely on how long it took (as if there's a rule) and the reviewer's own pre-conceptions and biases regarding the lineup and what they expected it to sound like. It is a solid rock n' roll album top to bottom. I don't hear that too often anymore.
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ChrisA.Nov 27, 2008I am an all-time GnR Fan and first didn't like Chinese Democracy at all, as especially the first songs rather sound like NiN than the classic 90s GnR. BUT the more often I hear it, the better I like it. Finally new melodys to hum from the Gunners (okay from Axl) aside the ones I have in mind sind 1989. Therefore: 8 out of 10! GIVE IT A CHANCE!
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PeterN.Nov 27, 2008I've never been a huge GNR fan, but after hearing some of the songs on the radio and myspace I just had to get myself the best birthday present in years. It's massive.
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JessicaD.Nov 27, 2008This album is far so good i love it. its just as good as the other albums. my fave song though is Madagascar and this i love and Chinese democracy.
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JamesPNov 27, 2008
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Awards & Rankings
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The first Guns n' Roses album of new, original songs since the first Bush administration is a great, audacious, unhinged and uncompromising hard-rock record.
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An outrageously overblown pop-metal extravaganza, Chinese Democracy feels like a perfect epitaph for all the absurdity and nonsense of the George W. Bush era--one final blowout before Principal Obama takes our idiocy away.
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Soundwise, Chinese Democracy is all over the place.