Chinese Democracy Leaks

[Giuseppe Zangara 0]

Kreese's long post up there was on point, mostly. I've said in the past that the story of the making of the album fascinates me endlessly, so of course I was more than to willing to talk about it.

[BUTT 0]

Sure, he may have bought the rights to call it Guns N' Roses. Sure, it may be called Guns N' Roses. But it's not.

OH SHIT YOU'RE RIGHT

[Edwin MacPhisto 0]

Kreese's long post up there was on point, mostly. I've said in the past that the story of the making of the album fascinates me endlessly, so of course I was more than to willing to talk about it.

Bonus points for reminding me of Choken One and Keith Caputo as well. I remember Choken One being partly deaf, which always seemed to be just about the perfect setup for jokes about his musical taste.

[Anakin Flair 0]

I have no interest in this album beyond teh drama it took to create it, but I read this on Yahoo and found it funny:

 

Los Angeles (E! Online) – All is fair in Chinese Democracy, except when the citizens are denied the opportunity to drink what the Dr ordered.

 

Axl Rose, wholely mum when Dr Pepper announced that it would bestow a free 20-ounce bottle on all comers when Guns N' Roses' years-in-the-making album finally dropped, is taking the company to task via his attorney after learning that not all customers were served.

 

The soft-drink behemoth had arranged to bestow online coupons to any thirsty freebie-seeker who visited its website on Nov. 23, but the site crashed due to...well, high traffic brought on by people's insatiable desire for free stuff.

 

The promotion was extended for another day, but the site was reportedly unreachable for most of it.

 

And despite what surely is Rose's sympathy for those who have trouble meeting customer demand, Guns N' Roses' lawyer is calling the attention-getting ploy an "unmitigated disaster which defrauded customers."

 

In a letter to Dr Pepper Snapple Group Inc, Beverly Hills-based Alan Gutman demanded that the company extend the promotion and place full-page apologies in the Los Angeles Times, the New York Times, the Wall Street Journal and USA Today.

 

Calling the campaign an "exploitation of my clients' legendary reputation and their eagerly awaited album, Gutman wrote that "mocking undertones" in the Dr Pepper promotion made for a "raw and damaging commercial exploitation of our clients' rights," which was then made even worse by the "shoddy execution of your disingenuous giveaway offer."

 

Oh, and the band would like some money now, too.

 

Threatening further legal action if no reparations are made, Gutman requests "appropriate payment...for the unauthorized use and abuse of their publicity and intellectual property rights."

 

Dr Pepper declined to comment on Guns N' Roses' version of events.

 

So for all of you who couldn't get a Dr. Pepper, Axl is standing up for you.

[Use Your Illusion 0]

The great thing about Chinese Democracy is that everyone has an opinion on it. If this were just some Aerosmith or Ozzy album, you'd never see the Incs and Czechs and Edwin McaPhistos of the world in here (if Czech's reading this, he can replace the two aforementioned acts with Ratt or Enuff Znuff or whoever else he sees as GNR's artistic peers). But because it's such a big deal, every music fan has to put in their two cents, from people who never liked GNR in the first place declaring that "it won't be any good without Slash" from experts like Agent of Oblivion and Black Lushus expressing the unfounded belief that "It'll come out, but when it does it won't have any of the songs that you've heard before" to JAxlMorrison and Use Your Illusion exceeding any band advocacy seen on this board since the days of Choken One's Keith Caputo obsession. If you always thought GNR was shit, yeah, you're not going to see this as anything more than WCW entrance music or BUTT rock or sounds like Nickelback or whatever. Just remember that he didn't take 15 years to make an album that would go in the canon alongside Loveless and FutureSex/LoveSounds. He took 15 years because he's really lazy and he just didn't feel like finishing the record.

 

Yeah, well said. Although, I truly believe it was laziness mixed with extreme anal retentiveness and the absolutely insane working environment he had created for himself. I have it somewhere on my computer I think, I have an article with Tom Zutaut, or however he spells it, where he actually details what it was like working for a few months on Chinese Democracy with Axl Rose and the shit he went through, including, but not limited to, chicken coops being built in the studio, Buckethead requesting dog shit and hardcore porn be present (or left there, after a dog took a dump) to inspire him and endless amounts of hired equipment sitting there for weeks on end waiting for Axl to use them. It's a great read, if I find it, I'll post it.

 

With the Madagascar thing, I apologise for saying 'fucking idiot', that was a tad excessive. Although, I personally believe it is a song that would not benefit from being 'toned down'. Not at all.

[Use Your Illusion 0]

Sebastian Bach from his Myspace Blog:

 

Let's talk audio here. Just like you, & the rest of the planet, since Sunday I have spent every waking moment I can listening to 'Chinese Democracy'. Recently I purchased a brand new turntable, partly because it has a USB cord on the back so you can make mp3's of your albums. Funny thing, I have not made one mp3 yet since I bought it. Fact is, any ear can hear that albums sound far richer, clearer, & more natural by far than mp3's, & even standard CD's. Once I started listening to my albums again, the only use I now have for mp3's is their portability. It's definatley cool to carry your whole collection around in your pocket, but as far as sound goes, analog whup's digital's ass, hands down, no contest.

Which leads me to 'Chinese Democracy'. Picked up the 180 Gram Vinyl Double Album, & the CD as well for the car. This is the first brand new album I have bought in over 15 years for sure, possibly 20 years. All I can say is, we as music fans have lost alot with the so-called (premature? one can only hope) 'demise' of the LP. As soon as I ran my fingernail down the side, splitting the cellophane, & opened the gatefold sleeve, I knew I was in for a full-on rock'n'roll 'experience' getting into this LP. I pulled out Disc 1 & was immediately struck by how 'heavy' this vinyl was. It's like my dad's old original copy of 'Led Zeppelin 2'. Not flimsy, lightweight vinyl like records became in the late '80's. 'Chinese Democracy' is a heavy, thick , 'platter' of a record. I couldn't wait to crank it.

FYI the Bach stereo system consists of : the 'Ion' turntable through a Pioneer VSX-52 Amplifier. I run this through an AudioControl C-101 Equalizier, with Adcom Poweramps. My speakers are JBL Control 10's with a Velodyne Sub-Woofer on a hardwood floor. Yes, I can make my whole house literally shake if I want, & yes, the lights actually dim for a second in my living room when I fire all the gear up. I dig it. In short, it kicks ass.

As soon as I dropped the needle on 'Chinese Democracy', I was captivated by the sound of this record, & the thought, talent, & care put into this piece of Art, from all involved. The power, clarity, separation, & production of this music is nothing short of incredible. As loud as I want, I can still hear the vocals, guitars & everything else perfectly clear, with the bass rumbling my guts (& below) just like it should. When Axl rips into the line "even with an iron fist" in the first song, the blood in my veins starts to boil & the intensity does not let up until the end of Side Four. What I hear on this record is unbelievable pathos, %100 of Axl's heart, & soul, on record for all of us to hear. When he sings a song such as 'Street Of Dreams' it's lke Janis Joplin at her best, with Quincy Jones' quote of 'Melody is King' operating in full effect. The melodies on this record rip my heart out. To hear them sung by the beautiful/deadly instrument that is Axl Rose's voice, is something that is to me, truly special, not to mention really cool to own & be able to blast 'on stun' whenever I choose. 4 times today so far, but who's counting.

I cannot stop listening to this record. 'Scraped', 'Rhiad & The Bedoins', 'Street Of Dreams', 'IRS', everytime I listen I have a new favorite. Brain, Bumblefoot, Robin Finck, everyone on the record played their asses off; the production is stellar; I haven't even got to the lyrics, still too blown away by the sheer sound to tackle the words.....yet! The album is, above all: Original. Heartfelt. Without Compromise. How many records can you honestly describe in that way today?

This is like nothing I have ever heard. And I can't wait to hear it again.

Which is, to me, the definition of great rock'n'roll.

[Jaxxson Mayhem 0]

I need to go pick up the vinyl and the cd still...

[BUTT 0]

Sebastian Bach from his Myspace Blog:

 

Let's talk audio here. Just like you, & the rest of the planet, since Sunday I have spent every waking moment I can listening to 'Chinese Democracy'. Recently I purchased a brand new turntable, partly because it has a USB cord on the back so you can make mp3's of your albums. Funny thing, I have not made one mp3 yet since I bought it. Fact is, any ear can hear that albums sound far richer, clearer, & more natural by far than mp3's, & even standard CD's. Once I started listening to my albums again, the only use I now have for mp3's is their portability. It's definatley cool to carry your whole collection around in your pocket, but as far as sound goes, analog whup's digital's ass, hands down, no contest.

Which leads me to 'Chinese Democracy'. Picked up the 180 Gram Vinyl Double Album, & the CD as well for the car. This is the first brand new album I have bought in over 15 years for sure, possibly 20 years. All I can say is, we as music fans have lost alot with the so-called (premature? one can only hope) 'demise' of the LP. As soon as I ran my fingernail down the side, splitting the cellophane, & opened the gatefold sleeve, I knew I was in for a full-on rock'n'roll 'experience' getting into this LP. I pulled out Disc 1 & was immediately struck by how 'heavy' this vinyl was. It's like my dad's old original copy of 'Led Zeppelin 2'. Not flimsy, lightweight vinyl like records became in the late '80's. 'Chinese Democracy' is a heavy, thick , 'platter' of a record. I couldn't wait to crank it.

FYI the Bach stereo system consists of : the 'Ion' turntable through a Pioneer VSX-52 Amplifier. I run this through an AudioControl C-101 Equalizier, with Adcom Poweramps. My speakers are JBL Control 10's with a Velodyne Sub-Woofer on a hardwood floor. Yes, I can make my whole house literally shake if I want, & yes, the lights actually dim for a second in my living room when I fire all the gear up. I dig it. In short, it kicks ass.

As soon as I dropped the needle on 'Chinese Democracy', I was captivated by the sound of this record, & the thought, talent, & care put into this piece of Art, from all involved. The power, clarity, separation, & production of this music is nothing short of incredible. As loud as I want, I can still hear the vocals, guitars & everything else perfectly clear, with the bass rumbling my guts (& below) just like it should. When Axl rips into the line "even with an iron fist" in the first song, the blood in my veins starts to boil & the intensity does not let up until the end of Side Four. What I hear on this record is unbelievable pathos, %100 of Axl's heart, & soul, on record for all of us to hear. When he sings a song such as 'Street Of Dreams' it's lke Janis Joplin at her best, with Quincy Jones' quote of 'Melody is King' operating in full effect. The melodies on this record rip my heart out. To hear them sung by the beautiful/deadly instrument that is Axl Rose's voice, is something that is to me, truly special, not to mention really cool to own & be able to blast 'on stun' whenever I choose. 4 times today so far, but who's counting.

I cannot stop listening to this record. 'Scraped', 'Rhiad & The Bedoins', 'Street Of Dreams', 'IRS', everytime I listen I have a new favorite. Brain, Bumblefoot, Robin Finck, everyone on the record played their asses off; the production is stellar; I haven't even got to the lyrics, still too blown away by the sheer sound to tackle the words.....yet! The album is, above all: Original. Heartfelt. Without Compromise. How many records can you honestly describe in that way today?

This is like nothing I have ever heard. And I can't wait to hear it again.

Which is, to me, the definition of great rock'n'roll.

 

This doesn't help.

[Use Your Illusion 0]

No, no it doesn't.

[Guest Czecherbear]

any ear can hear that albums sound far richer, clearer, & more natural by far than mp3's, & even standard CD's.

I've never been sold on this. Besides, I doubt that Sebastian Bach's ears are in any condition to compare the subtle nuances of analog vis-a-vis digital audio. Posturing.

[Gary Floyd 0]

Sebastian Bach from his Myspace Blog:

Yes, because Sebastian Bach is so credible these days.

[BUTT 0]

I don't even know why UYI posted that. The Brutus Beefcake to Axl's Hogan thinks Chinese Democracy is some hot shit? Who would have thought?

[Giuseppe Zangara 0]

He feels it validates his own opinion.

[Use Your Illusion 0]

No he doesn't.

 

I wasn't trying to win you all over with the opinion of Sebastian Bach. I've already admitted in this thread that he's full of it and probably only loves Chinese Democracy because Axl likes him. Bach is GNR's biggest fanboy, only because Axl gives him the time of day.

 

I posted it because I thought he had a sweet sound set-up.

 

I never said he was 'credible'.

 

On with the show, kids.

[Vanhalen 0]

A lot of people hate on GNR and Axl, which is fair enough, but as a person of 27, who lived through Appetite and the whole era, its fucking awesome to go in music shops and hear GNR, it just brings back so much to hear Axls voice again, and I love the new album, I'm just begging for it not to be another 14 years for the next one!

[BUTT 0]

It is a nice set-up, I agree. Wouldn't you think that playing a vinyl record through thousands of dollars worth of high-tech equipment ruins the perceived "purity of vinyl"? Besides which, does it really make sense to listen to an album that was recorded digitally on vinyl? I understand why someone would prefer Beatles or Zeppelin albums of other Great Records Of The LP Era in their original format. But anything that features drum loops in half the songs, that's gotta stay on CD.

[1234-5678 0]

A lot of people hate on GNR and Axl, which is fair enough, but as a person of 27, who lived through Appetite and the whole era, its fucking awesome to go in music shops and hear GNR, it just brings back so much to hear Axls voice again, and I love the new album, I'm just begging for it not to be another 14 years for the next one!

 

I'm a big fan of being able to play these songs on bar jukeboxes now.

 

[BUTT 0]

With the Madagascar thing, I apologise for saying 'fucking idiot', that was a tad excessive. Although, I personally believe it is a song that would not benefit from being 'toned down'. Not at all.

You don't think the quote section is just a little much?

[Edwin MacPhisto 0]

That section of "Madagascar" is like "My World" squared. Awful.

[Gary Floyd 0]

It is a nice set-up, I agree. Wouldn't you think that playing a vinyl record through thousands of dollars worth of high-tech equipment ruins the perceived "purity of vinyl"? Besides which, does it really make sense to listen to an album that was recorded digitally on vinyl? I understand why someone would prefer Beatles or Zeppelin albums of other Great Records Of The LP Era in their original format. But anything that features drum loops in half the songs, that's gotta stay on CD.

With a few exceptions (Ministry, Godflesh), drum loops and metal usually don't go together

[BUTT 0]

Drum loops are awesome. I'm proud of Axl for embracing them and strongly support his decision to use them on Chinese Democracy.

[Use Your Illusion 0]

With the Madagascar thing, I apologise for saying 'fucking idiot', that was a tad excessive. Although, I personally believe it is a song that would not benefit from being 'toned down'. Not at all.

You don't think the quote section is just a little much?

 

No way, that's the brilliance of it. Y'know, it's Axl trying to get some clarity and head way and all he has is this endless shit being thrown at him, like he's flippin' the channels looking for something and this is all he can get. It's a window into the insanity, I love it. But that's me, I certainly wouldn't look to Madagascar as something to introduce a person to the new GNR straight up though, just like you wouldn't use, say, Locomotive, back in the early 90's. But that song is awesome too, has a lot in common with Madagascar actually.

 

UYI

[Use Your Illusion 0]

My World- awesome lyrics.

[Guest Czecherbear]

You don't think the quote section is just a little much?

 

No way, that's the brilliance of it. Y'know, it's Axl trying to get some clarity and head way and all he has is this endless shit being thrown at him, like he's flippin' the channels looking for something and this is all he can get. It's a window into the insanity, I love it.

It's just an attempt to make Great Music by someone who isn't good at writing music.

[BUTT 0]

Czech's taking the continued existence of Guns N' Roses very hard.

[PUT THAT DICK IN MY MOUTH! 0]

I finally gave that "Madagascar" song a listen to see what all the fuss was about and oh my stars it's bad. This is what people have been waiting 15 years or w/e for? Ooookay.....*backs away slowly*

[Use Your Illusion 0]

You don't think the quote section is just a little much?

 

No way, that's the brilliance of it. Y'know, it's Axl trying to get some clarity and head way and all he has is this endless shit being thrown at him, like he's flippin' the channels looking for something and this is all he can get. It's a window into the insanity, I love it.

It's just an attempt to make Great Music by someone who isn't good at writing music.

 

Hah.

 

[BUTT 0]

I liked the version they played in Rio in 2001. That arrangement seemed a bit more restrained, but I think that might have just been a bad mixing job.

[Gary Floyd 0]

With the Madagascar thing, I apologise for saying 'fucking idiot', that was a tad excessive. Although, I personally believe it is a song that would not benefit from being 'toned down'. Not at all.

You don't think the quote section is just a little much?

 

No way, that's the brilliance of it. Y'know, it's Axl trying to get some clarity and head way and all he has is this endless shit being thrown at him, like he's flippin' the channels looking for something and this is all he can get. It's a window into the insanity, I love it. But that's me, I certainly wouldn't look to Madagascar as something to introduce a person to the new GNR straight up though, just like you wouldn't use, say, Locomotive, back in the early 90's. But that song is awesome too, has a lot in common with Madagascar actually.

 

UYI

 

 

My World- awesome lyrics.

 

My God, give me a fucking break. I know you are a hopeless fanboy, but come on, even the G n' R fans I know don't worship Axl the way you do. For the love of God, this is not some misunderstood genius-this is a washed up, egomaniacle shell of his former self trying and failing to make an artistic statement. At this point, I'm starting to wonder is you are Axl Rose or Sebastian Bach in disguise.

[BUTT 0]

egomaniacle

Is that anything like Bionicle