Guns N' Roses - Chinese Democracy (Geffen Records)
By: Erin Fox
[../10] Here it is, the most anticipated record ever. The most expensive album in history. The product of Axl Rose's borderline psychotic perfectionism. A landmark in rock music history that will still be talked about in 50 years by teenagers now experiencing the thrill of owning a new Guns N' Roses record for the very first time.
This album is not without its detractors, but mudslingers and naysayers fail to understand that Axl Rose is making an honest attempt here to give the fans a great record. He's waited and watched as Metallica produced half-ass record after half-ass record. Check the RIAA charts. In five attempts, Metallica has been unable to issue a record that's sold more copies than Appetite For Destruction. Deep inside, Rose has always known that Chinese Democracy would have to be an epic, masterpiece record. He's known the fans deserve that and he has demanded it of himself. Rose has high expectations of himself and as a result, his expectations have been reflected upon those around him. Axl realized the importance of doing this record right way back in 1994. He didn't want to be a part of a half-assed production repeating itself again and again, doing exactly what everyone expected, riding the success of prior fortunes off into the sunset.
Rose wanted to do something better, to create an album with significance. Something that fans would never forget. Here it is.
If you didn't enjoy Guns N' Roses to begin with, Chinese Democracy is not likely to change your mind. But for the millions upon millions of worldwide fans who idolise Rose, finally having this record in their hands is a moment they will remember for the rest of their lives. You can't put a rating of x out of 10 on a piece of art like this. The years of effort and dedication to success shines through on each and every track. For an artist to spend such a large portion of their career in making sure a project would be executed to a tee says a lot about them. Simply because other artists choose to crank out platter after platter without taking the time to think things through and make the project the best it can possibly be is a symptom of everything that's wrong with record "cycles" and repeated attempts of labels to score big with whatever sticks against a wall when it's thrown at it.
Chinese Democracy is an example of the power of perseverance, the strength of a single man's will against all odds, and the realization of a deep-seated passion to be a champion. It's a monstrous, momentous event, it is the occasion to seize an opportunity that many believed to be unattainable. It's the extension of Axl Rose's desire to be the best in everything he does.
It is nothing less than the very best rock album to be issued in 2008.
