Appetite for Deconstuction: Guns N' Roses Chinese Democracy Review

Never again in the history of recorded ROCK music, will there be another Appetite For Destruction. This is a fact and cannot be disputed. You cannot duplicate the captured spontaneity, passion, and aggression of the band members at THAT POINT IN TIME. Many have tried and failed, including Guns N' Roses. It is one of the strongest debut albums of any format or style to ever be released. This can be measured in both critical and commercial acclaim. It has sold over 20 million copies since it was released. That means it has gone "Double Diamond." It still sells approximately 250,000 units a year. Why? Easy. Because it's simply fucking great and it's timeless. In fact, as Mick Wall states in his unauthorized Axl biography "W.A.R.", if you were to add "Patience", "I used to love her", and substitute the slower version of "You're Crazy" you would arguably have the best 53 minutes of rock music ever.

Perhaps this explains why Axl felt some pressure to make Chinese Democracy a masterpiece after firing his entire band and going into hiding for the last 15 years.

Actually, Guns N' Roses - as a unit - already was aware of the benchmark of high expectations they had created when they went in the studio for their follow-up album. One album would not be enough. Therefore, the monstrosity of Use Your Illusion I & II were both born. In the fall of 1991, people lined up at midnight at stores across the world to purchase the albums. Yes, kids there were lines AT MIDNIGHT. I was there. Imagine that now in our downloading, single vs. album happy world.

As expected, the reviews of the Illusions were that there were great moments but that it was "bloated", "unfocused", "not as good as Appetite." True...and false.

Appetite came out in 1987 but didn't catch fire until "Sweet Child O' Mine" hit during the summer of 1988. Then they released the EP Lies. Then in 1991, Illusions. So, in a 4 year period, between touring, swigs of Jack Daniels, and injections of heroin, Guns N' Roses released a total of almost 50 songs. And some of these songs were GIGANTIC. This is a staggering amount of material -- 90% of it was phenomenal.

Over time, the Illusion albums seem to be discounted and the focus is only put on Appetite which is the template against which Chinese Democracy will be judged by the masses. This is not only unfair but an inaccurate measuring stick.

Listen to Illusions again. Sure, you remember "Civil War" and "You could be mine" but what was the last time you heard "Breakdown", "14 Years", or "Bad Obsession?" The Illusion albums are filled with great music. It's epic and eclectic and, at first, was difficult to fully digest. Much of it had to grow on you. And by 1992, Guns N' Roses had already changed. Two original members were gone. The touring version of the band had gone from a normal 5 piece to a set up that included a keyboardist and several back up soul singers. Guns N' Roses sound was already becoming..... different. And this, dear readers, is the rule I'm using to review Chinese Democracy.

THE RULE: "If you liked the lesser known, obscure tracks of Illusions, you will (sort of) like Chinese Democracy. Although the songwriting and vocals are solid --- everything you hear would sound better with the original band.

If you only liked Appetite this CD will be a shiny sphere to place your beer.

So, here we go.

It does not (completely) suck. However......

I could rewrite all my blogs. Maybe after I rechecked them a few times I could make some improvements but if I did it 150 FUCKING TIMES they would be completely different and devoid of their original inspiration. Stanley Kubrick --- although I love The Shining and the first hour of Full Metal Jacket--- is notorious for shooting a 30 second scene 50-60 times and makes his actor's performances -- cardboard and unnatural. That is what Axl has done to the music on these tracks. While all the musicians are skilled -- it simply sounds flat and processed.

"IRS", "Better", and the title track are the first ones that will grab your attention and remind you the most the "classic" Guns N' Roses sound. However, it will just as quickly remind you that this is nothing but an Axl Rose solo album. Just like Velvet Revolver.... something is lacking. It doesn't matter how many studio magic tricks are performed.... you can't replace Slash, Duff, Izzy, and Steven/Matt.

I don't even feel that these tracks were ever completely finished to Axl's liking except for "Street of Dreams","There Was a Time." The former would fit nicely next to "Yesterday" and the latter is the best song on the album. It's a tale of a relationship gone wrong with passionate lyrics, a spectacular guitar solo, hooks galore, and a "Hey Jude" like ending.

The other tracks are...interesting. "If The World" involves Shaft/porno-like wah-wah guitars and Axl singing in a Prince-like falsetto. "Madagascar" reminds me of the vibe of Zeppelin's "Kashmir" until you hit a bizarre middle section that slices together movie dialogue revolving around the "What we've got here is a failure to communicate" clip from the beginning of "Civil War." "Prostitute" is a ballad that is starting to grow on me just like some of the Illusion songs. Oh...."Riad and the Bedouins?" Not only is that the worst song title I've ever heard but it makes me wish I was born without ears. In addition, "Shakler's Revenge" makes me go directly into an epileptic seizure for roughly 17 minutes.

In conclusion, the songwriting is solid. The OVERPRODUCTION is not. The wrong production can ruin an album and if you have any confusion in this matter than go give Metallica's St. Anger a quick spin. If Axl invited the original band in and just recorded the music live--no overdubs -- and placed the already recorded vocals on top....... worlds of improvement.

Axl. Do it. Besides, it will only be your 151st attempt.