GUNS 'N ROSES : CHINESE DEMOCRACY CD REVIEW

It's hard to believe that Guns 'N Roses new CD "Chinese Democracy," was over 10 years in the making. It's not like it was going to be The Beatles "Sgt. Pepper," or some other incredible masterpiece. What has Axel waiting for? A sign from the music God's that November 2008 would be the time. Whatever you may think at this point this is not a negative or bashing review. I happen to really like G'N'R, the original Guns. So it's a bit of shock to think of rock's super band without Slash, Izzy and the boys. The big question at this point is: is "Democracy," really worth the wait and did Axl pull off a masterpiece?

"Chinese Democracy," is not a masterpiece in the clinical sense. What it is a damn good rock CD. In our age of disposable rock and pop music it's nice to find a solid, ball busting rock release. Leave to Axl to deliver. I guess it's true, all good things to those who wait: but almost 17 years? It's been at least that long since the double whammy "Use Your Illusion 1," and "Use 2," was released. Make you feel really old now doesn't it. All 14 songs were written by Rose and various members of the 'new' band. This is definitely Axl's world and welcome to it. The members of the band consist of Robin Finck, Ron Thai, Richard Fortus, Tommy Stinson, Frank Ferrer, Dizzy Reed, Chris Pitman, and Buckethead. Gone is Rose's snake dance, instead he picks up a guitar on a tune or two. He's returned to the place he really belongs - the 'feel it in your gut' rock groove. His voice is a strong as ever. I haven't seen this inclination of the band live so I don't know how his vocals will compare in the arena setting. What I can tell you is - Rose has it down, down and dirty, just the way Guns fans like it.

It may take a few listens of the CD to really grab and hold on to you but give it those couple of extra spins. You will come around to its concept and under-rated production. This is not a re-make of previous GNR tracks. They're all brand new ideas, well, not brand new; they do have a universal appeal. It's not the same old stuff rehashed and re-mastered. "Madagascar," is an interesting tune all on its own. Quotations from Martin Luther King's "I Have a Dream Speech," interwoven makes the tune not only intriguing but inventive. Axl made an interesting choice with this one. It pulls the song together nicely. Sure, it's been done before but not quite this way. "Better," a pretty straight forward hard shot at love and relationships has got a great feel from the start of the song. With lyrics "I never wanted you to be so full of anger/I never wanted you to be somebody else/I never wanted you to be someone afraid to know themselves/I only wanted you to see things for yourself." It just doesn't get more real and poetic than that. "Street Of Dreams," is a nice 'power ballad,' with a great guitar riff. "Catcher In The Rye," is another cool tune that doesn't feel the need to hit you between the eyes with complicated and convoluted arrangements. It's a simple rock song that works, plain and simple. You may find other tunes to your liking. We all get a shot here. For all of the heavy rock riffs, screeching vocals and screaming guitars that Guns has always been known for, "Chinese Democracy," is a more even release in regards to different rock styling. It certainly isn't as chaotic as the previous "Illusion," releases mainly because this incarnation of Guns seems to be on the same musical page. Even if they're all taking a page from Rose's book.

To finally answer the million dollar question: was "Chinese Democracy," worth the wait, sweat and tears? Maybe, maybe not. Either way, it's finally here, it's really good. Only you can answer for yourself if the wait was worth it. For me, it sure holds my interest every time I put it on for a spin. As a musician, that's the best one can ask for, don't you think?