Chinese Democracy
by Guns N' Roses
User Score
8.0

Generally favorable reviews- based on 427 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 348 out of 427
  2. Mixed: 27 out of 427
  3. Negative: 52 out of 427

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  1. SpacemanSpiff
    Nov 24, 2008
    7
    Somme good solid hyper songs, some soft, empty balads. Good riifs and good melodies. But overall, overproduced.
  2. g.
    Nov 24, 2008
    9
    Listened 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.
  3. GuibeP.
    Nov 24, 2008
    10
    The 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!
  4. MarkB
    Nov 24, 2008
    9
    How 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.
  5. DaveyH
    Nov 25, 2008
    9
    This album is not bad. Its actually worth listening to. If you have only heard Appetite for Destruction you will be disappointed if you think it will be just as good. Its not as good but compared to most music out there today it is great! The first time I listened to it I was to it I was quite disappointed but I couldn't get some of the songs out of my head. Many of the songs take a This album is not bad. Its actually worth listening to. If you have only heard Appetite for Destruction you will be disappointed if you think it will be just as good. Its not as good but compared to most music out there today it is great! The first time I listened to it I was to it I was quite disappointed but I couldn't get some of the songs out of my head. Many of the songs take a couple plays through before you will start to appreciate the intricacy of the music. The way the different parts fit together for many of the songs is great. Keep Listening and you will find you will love this album. I like it better then the Use Your Illusion albums. Keep Listening!… Expand
  6. OmarK.
    Nov 25, 2008
    8
    I'm a long time Gn'R fan - and when the band started falling apart, I really thought I'd never hear anything ever like that again. The mundane series of releases by previous band members Slash, and Duff and the incredibly tedious work of Velvet Revolver did very little to reassure me that I'd ever hear anything like Gn'R ever again. They had the instrument skills, I'm a long time Gn'R fan - and when the band started falling apart, I really thought I'd never hear anything ever like that again. The mundane series of releases by previous band members Slash, and Duff and the incredibly tedious work of Velvet Revolver did very little to reassure me that I'd ever hear anything like Gn'R ever again. They had the instrument skills, all of them - clearly - but it felt like they were acting talent wasted in want of good writing and direction. This album proves two things - first of all - that the 'special part' of Gn'R was, and always has been our favorite mad genius of them all - Axl Rose himself - as he is, faults included - the other thing it proves is that even Axl cannot pull 14 miracles in the 71 minutes of the album. Most intelligent reviewers seem to agree, and I with them - that the album comes in three flavors; there are songs that are just heart-crushingly beautiful and revolutionary all at the same time - then there are songs that are closer to what people expect from the name Gn'R - and in these - Axl quite simply proves that he can 'do' the 'old' Gn'R - just like that. Finally, there are the tracks that will leave all of us guessing exactly what it was Axl might've had in mind there. They're more difficult to get into because on first listen - well, you'll see. So yes, not 14 miracles - but he hits enough straight out of the park to make it an incredible journey and a wonderful foretaste of the 50+ songs he has yet to release.… Expand
  7. CoryP
    Nov 25, 2008
    10
    Any critic that gives this album a low score is not judging it on the merit's of the music. So many critics can't get past how long it took to make or that it's not original GNR. Fact is AXL's voice is as powerful & menacing as ever. The guitar work is brilliant & goes places that Slash couldn't take it. The Rockers will knock your socks off & the ballads are Any critic that gives this album a low score is not judging it on the merit's of the music. So many critics can't get past how long it took to make or that it's not original GNR. Fact is AXL's voice is as powerful & menacing as ever. The guitar work is brilliant & goes places that Slash couldn't take it. The Rockers will knock your socks off & the ballads are simply epic. Unlike the Illusion albums, you can listen straight through without skipping any songs. This album is a welcome relief to the "by the numbers", pop-rock crap that is out there today. Give this album a chance. You will not be dissapointed!… Expand
  8. JonC.
    Nov 25, 2008
    8
    Much better than any "rock" album out today, sure it's not the old school GnR, so just enjoy it for what it is.
  9. SergioJ
    Nov 26, 2008
    10
    I have to make justice to this album. I accept that its not perfect, but the critics that have given this below 8 seem to focus more in the fact of how much expectation was built than actually clearing out all the preconceptions and just listening to it. You would be lying if you like rock and you were not hooked up to at least 5 of the songs in this album. I looked at the reviews that I have to make justice to this album. I accept that its not perfect, but the critics that have given this below 8 seem to focus more in the fact of how much expectation was built than actually clearing out all the preconceptions and just listening to it. You would be lying if you like rock and you were not hooked up to at least 5 of the songs in this album. I looked at the reviews that got higher score like the campesinos and this is by far more original and entretaining. This is a very honest atempt at doing something completly new, wether it works or not nobody can decide but the listener, but its to be acknowledge that Axl didn't sit on his past fame and glory and just redo another appettite to sell out.… Expand
  10. MarkK.
    Nov 27, 2008
    4
    After waiting about seventeen years for this to come out, all w get is a load of self-indulgent garbage that actually makes "The Spaghetti Incident?" sound good in comparison. It has a few good moments I'll give it that, but that's all I feel I can give to it. As everybody knows, Axl Rose is the only original member left in this group, but with such an over crowded list of After waiting about seventeen years for this to come out, all w get is a load of self-indulgent garbage that actually makes "The Spaghetti Incident?" sound good in comparison. It has a few good moments I'll give it that, but that's all I feel I can give to it. As everybody knows, Axl Rose is the only original member left in this group, but with such an over crowded list of musicians including the infamous (three guitarists, two bassists and drummers and two keyboardists I believe) why is it even called Guns' N Roses? Would Axl have been better off calling the band 'Axl & Friends'? Anyway, away from that little rant. The overall sound of the album sounds so enhanced that it is completly overworked and thus results in being all flash but no substance. Appitite For Destruction was writtin down in the books as one of the greatest rock albums of all time because of the venomous vibe to the whole record. Chinese Democracy seems to have nothing like that at all and it is hardly the Guns N' Roses I used to love and respect. So here's my fnal word of advice. If you know what's best just boycott the album entierly and don't put your faith in this oer-blown crowd of rock-star-wannabe-fools.… Expand
  11. JimB
    Nov 27, 2008
    10
    The 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.
  12. GustavoS.
    Nov 29, 2008
    9
    This 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.
  13. NaNa
    Nov 29, 2008
    8
    As to put it in the words of "all music", "It's a good album, no more no less". Sure some people want to love it more than it deserve as well as there entire batons hipster waiting to laugh about it. The truth is though that although some track hint at this or at that, if taken altogether one must realize that there is quite nothing like it today in rock music. And that's for me As to put it in the words of "all music", "It's a good album, no more no less". Sure some people want to love it more than it deserve as well as there entire batons hipster waiting to laugh about it. The truth is though that although some track hint at this or at that, if taken altogether one must realize that there is quite nothing like it today in rock music. And that's for me it's it's well more than enough to make the experience worth (albeit 2/3 songs too long). If the glass is half full or half empty, "I guess you'll see it for yourself".… Expand
  14. TBone
    Nov 29, 2008
    8
    So the secret of Metacritic is any album scored over 80 is critics masturbation material, meaning any reasonable person thinks it sucks. Any score under 60 means the album probably actually sucks. Any score from 60-80 means the album could be good. That said, so far I really like 'Better' and 'Catcher in the Rye'. Other songs are mostly good and may grow on me. So the secret of Metacritic is any album scored over 80 is critics masturbation material, meaning any reasonable person thinks it sucks. Any score under 60 means the album probably actually sucks. Any score from 60-80 means the album could be good. That said, so far I really like 'Better' and 'Catcher in the Rye'. Other songs are mostly good and may grow on me. 'In a World' is totally unlistenable. For the most part, not horrible. There's no 'sweet child of mine' on here, but thats goddamn near impossible to replicate.… Expand
  15. JoeH
    Nov 29, 2008
    8
    On 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.
  16. ElDiablo
    Nov 30, 2008
    9
    Much 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.
  17. joek
    Nov 23, 2008
    9
    Axl 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.
  18. JoeP.
    Nov 24, 2008
    1
    It is crap. Guns and Roses has done godd stuff in the past, but this is awful. I think any good reviews are people just wanting it to be good. If it wasn't under the name Guns and Roses, nobody could listen past the first song.
  19. Luke
    Nov 24, 2008
    9
    Of 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.
  20. RyanZ.
    Nov 24, 2008
    7
    Axl 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.
  21. MichaelC
    Nov 24, 2008
    9
    Didnt 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.
  22. RomeoR.
    Nov 24, 2008
    8
    It's like the classic cliche... does the artists music overshadow the artists personal life?... for most, no... it will not. A large amount of people will have opinions about the record before hearing any of the songs, another amount decided if they would love or hate this record long before it hit shelves on Nov 23rd 2008, and many will compare it to the age old "Appetite for It's like the classic cliche... does the artists music overshadow the artists personal life?... for most, no... it will not. A large amount of people will have opinions about the record before hearing any of the songs, another amount decided if they would love or hate this record long before it hit shelves on Nov 23rd 2008, and many will compare it to the age old "Appetite for Destruction" or dare they say "Lies" However where this album may have it's shortcomings... and perhaps "long-comings" It should eventually be accepted as a good disc.. and much better than the last cover "Incident" G N R had way back when as well. Over-production is probably the fairest argument you will hear or read.. however.. that being said.. for what it takes away in some spots.. it does eventually give back in others.. say what you say about the new Guns N Roses.. but it stands 17 mountain tops higher in song writing quality and re-play value than 96% of the music you hear on your number #1 Rock Radio.… Expand
  23. NikM.
    Nov 24, 2008
    4
    Axl' s voice just sucks, it mainly relies on cheap drum beats, and the only good thing is the guitar work Buckethead provided. Sorry, it isn't a masterpiece by any means
  24. RajR
    Nov 24, 2008
    9
    First things first. This album, of some 14 or so years in the making, will never live up to any unrealistic expectation that there is floating around.. It can't.. and nothing ever could. Evaluate this album not with your bias as to what you think Axl Rose's character is, how you might think it is a fraud to call this band "Guns N' Roses" or whatever else you can think of... First things first. This album, of some 14 or so years in the making, will never live up to any unrealistic expectation that there is floating around.. It can't.. and nothing ever could. Evaluate this album not with your bias as to what you think Axl Rose's character is, how you might think it is a fraud to call this band "Guns N' Roses" or whatever else you can think of... This album is an excellent piece of metal, through and through. The more times you give it a thorough listen, the more the tracks grab you. This album doesn't shift the very foundation of metal music, nor should it have to. It is a solid effort from a group of talented musicians. I am a huge Guns N' Roses fan, and I knew from the beginning not to expect Chinese Democracy to be a "Use Your Illusion 3", this is different, yes, but it rocks... Hard.… Expand
  25. JesseB
    Nov 25, 2008
    8
    New and interesting reinvention of G'nR with some of the classic sound retained. Most songs gradually reach a plateau without really going anywhere brilliant, but there are a few standouts that rise above what's in typical rotation on today's radio. It's an album that has the ability to grow on the listener. Second listen for me is more enjoyable than the first. Only New and interesting reinvention of G'nR with some of the classic sound retained. Most songs gradually reach a plateau without really going anywhere brilliant, but there are a few standouts that rise above what's in typical rotation on today's radio. It's an album that has the ability to grow on the listener. Second listen for me is more enjoyable than the first. Only time will tell how good this album really is in comparison to the classic G'nR, but it's still an interesting solid direction, if not feeling a little half-cooked and repetitive in places. For being in development for so long you might be expecting to be blown away. Maybe you will be. For me though in listening it so far hasn't reached that "epic" level I was anticipating after all this time.… Expand
  26. JonathanE
    Nov 25, 2008
    8
    When people listen to this album, they need to put aside comparisons to the "old" Guns N' Roses. It's a new band, with new members, new songwriters, and not to mention it's two decades later. Of course the music isn't going to sound like vintage GnR. I'm happy it doesn't. There are about six Great songs, seven Good songs, and two duds. "Better" is When people listen to this album, they need to put aside comparisons to the "old" Guns N' Roses. It's a new band, with new members, new songwriters, and not to mention it's two decades later. Of course the music isn't going to sound like vintage GnR. I'm happy it doesn't. There are about six Great songs, seven Good songs, and two duds. "Better" is outstanding, "There Was A Time" has an incredible chain of guitar solos, "I.R.S." is the most "rock n' roll" the album gets. The two duds, in my opinion, are the last two songs. "This I Love" is basically Axl's opera, and it really doesn't work. And by "Prostitute," the complex string arrangements just get old to the ear. Other than those two, the album is filled with interesting (If the World), head-banging (Chinese Democracy), System of a Down-esque (Riad N' The Bedouins), and sweet (Catcher in the Rye) melodies. The major problem with the album as a whole is the intense overproduction. Sometimes, especially for a hard-rock band, I just want to hear Axl, two guitars, a bass, and a drumset. But very constantly, Mr. Producer Axl Rose gets almost too many ideas for each song, resulting in, occasionally, arangements that are simply too much. But a solid 8/10 is fair for this album.… Expand
  27. JamesO.
    Nov 25, 2008
    4
    Way overproduced; the guitar tone is so pro-tooled to death so that it has absolutely no life. The riffs are boring and trite. Very much a cookie-cutter album with little in the way of originality or freshness. Avoid at all costs, unless of course you like seeing Axl Rose trying to rehash the glory days of Guns 'N Roses without GnR (aka the rest of the band).
  28. JeffN.
    Nov 26, 2008
    10
    14 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.
  29. ChrisA.
    Nov 27, 2008
    8
    I 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!
  30. JamesP
    Nov 27, 2008
    9
    This is better than anyone could have hoped. I was expecting a dated pile of spaghetti incident po faced hair metal posturing bollocks, but AXL, my friend you have delivered the goods in spades. Yes, this might leave the younger generation cold (i'm only 28), but then again the youngun's listen to crap like Metro Station. This is a multi-layered, almost timeless hardrock-pop This is better than anyone could have hoped. I was expecting a dated pile of spaghetti incident po faced hair metal posturing bollocks, but AXL, my friend you have delivered the goods in spades. Yes, this might leave the younger generation cold (i'm only 28), but then again the youngun's listen to crap like Metro Station. This is a multi-layered, almost timeless hardrock-pop masterpiece... almost worth the wait mate!… Expand
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Awards & Rankings

9
#9 Most Discussed Album of 2008
12
#12 Most Shared Album of 2008

Critic Reviews

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Metascore
64

Generally favorable reviews - based on 28 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 12 out of 28
  2. Mixed: 14 out of 28
  3. Negative: 2 out of 28
  1. Rolling Stone
    80
    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.
    Read full review
  2. Spin
    70
    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.
    Read full review
  3. Uncut
    40
    Soundwise, Chinese Democracy is all over the place.
    Read full review
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