This may sound like sacrilege to some, but back in the ye olde days, I wasn't the biggest Guns 'n' Roses fan going around. I liked them, don't get me wrong, but I wasn't fanatical about them. When the band apparently folded in the early 90's, I didn't shed any tears.

I guess that's why I was surprised to find myself drawn into the hype around Chinese Democracy.

Any album that takes 14-15 years to make has to be worth a listen, if for no other reason than to see if it was worth the wait, and the expense.

To be honest, I can't see Chinese Democracy as being a Guns 'n' Roses album. To me, it's an Axl Rose solo project. He's clearly surrounded himself with some of the best hired guns that money can buy. Robin Finck and Buckethead are two names that spring to mind, and two reasons why I decided to give the album a shot. When I popped the disc into the player, I have to say I was expecting the tracks to have a more 'industrial' tinge to them, based upon the 'Oh My God' track that popped up on the 'End of Days' soundtrack.

While all the hype pointed to a sample laden, prog style rock extravaganza, Chinese Democracy does not quite go that far. Many of the tracks are traditional guitar rock, introduced by some loops or samples, with some piano thrown in for good measure. Actually, far to much piano. A few tracks leave you wondering if Axl was trying to recapture the November Rain vibe.

Here's a track by track, blow by blow run down.

1. Chinese Democracy
Fade in intro and samples run for a solid minute before the song gets cracking. Might build anticipation on first listen, but is just plain annoying the next time you want to listen to the song. Once the guitars kick in though its a solid heavy rock track. 7/10

2. Shackler's Revenge

This track sounds like it was heavily influenced by Buckethead. There's a driving industrial vibe to the track and it'd rate as one of my favorites off the album. It's more like I'd expected the album to sound. 8.5/10

3. Better

I don't know what to think about this track. It verges on pop, has a catchy hook, has a tasty guitar solo, but still leaves me feeling a little 'blah'. 7/10

4. Street of Dreams

Of all the tracks on the album this would be the one that sounds most like traditional Guns 'n' Roses to me. It has a Use Your Illusion vibe to it, blues inspired guitar solo, unlike the shred provided on some other tracks. In saying that, it sounds like a Use Your Illusion out-take. 5.5/10

5. If the World

A bit more sampling and piano, almost prog-rock in places. The term 'over blown' comes to mind. One track I now find myself skipping. 3/10

6. There was a Time

The longest track on the album, padded out by multiple guitar solos, and filled out with some orchestral stuff as well. I'm not sure exactly who is playing what guitar solo wise, although based on the quantity and variances in style I'd say nearly everyone that picked up a guitar on the project had a crack at cutting loose. Entertaining. 7.5/10

7. Catcher in the Rye

Axl crooning over a fairly standard rock progression, complete with sing-a-long 'na na na' chorus, so everyone can get involved. Everything about this song is an out of the box cliche. I'd suggest this track was post-Buckethead. 4.5/10

8. Scraped

Another out of the box stock standard track. It doesn't suck but doesn't blow me away either. 4.5/10

9. Riad n' The Bedouins

Opens with a vocal line that reminds me a little of Led Zeppelin's 'Immigrant Song'. A faster paced track that kicks along nicely. A welcome gear shift following the previous two tracks. 7/10

10. Sorry

One of the stronger songs on the album. Slower paced, sludge style riff. Perhaps the only negative is that at over six minutes, the track goes just that little bit to long. 7/10

11. I.R.S.

Another track that can almost sit with some of the older Guns 'n' Roses material. Salvaged from mediocrity by some tidy guitar work. 7/10

12. Madagascar

This track has something for everyone including some orchestral stuff and a nice middle section. One of my favorites on the album. 8/10

13. This I Love

A piano driven ballad. I'm not so into the ballads. If I want piano I'll whack on the Dresden Dolls or Fiona Apple. 5/10

14. Prostitute

Is it actually a song about a prostitute? Who cares? It's got a soaring hook to the chorus, has an epic vibe, and is a fitting bookend to the album. The chorus sounds like it would fit quite well over the opening credits of a James Bond film actually. 8/10

In summary

It's really not fair to compare Chinese Democracy to any of the previous Guns 'n' Roses albums, largely due to the fact that this is not the same band. It's Axl Rose with some top class hired guns. With that said, Rose seems to have invited comparisons by choosing to release this under the Guns 'n' Roses banner, and in that regard, probably hasn't don't this release any favors. Lets be honest, there's nothing on this album that stands up against tracks like Sweet Child 'O Mine, Welcome to the Jungle or November Rain. Some of the tracks feel like they wouldn't be out of place on the Use Your Illusion albums, but if they made the cut they wouldn't be stand out tracks.

Overall, Chinese Democracy doesn't suck, but it's not unforgettable either. Overall it scores 6.5/10.

What would you rate Chinese Democracy?

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