9 Tracks of Chinese Democracy

From time to time, I like to write about music here. I figure, if people give a crap about what I think about a ton of other stuff, they might want to hear what I think about the tunes.

So there are nine songs of the new Guns 'N Roses album on the internet if you know what a torrent is. If you are as obsessed with GNR or the idea that perfection is impossible but some tragic souls attempt it with all their might as me, you are going to have to get up off of that thang and download this.

Axl Rose obviously likes a lot of different music is about all I can say. I do as well. The difference between he and I is that he decided that he wanted to use all of it.

Here's what I think (songs are in no particular order):

Chinese Democracy - I heard this (along with a couple others) on a bootleg in 2001 or 02 and have heard several incarnations throughout the decade. It has developed from one of the more mediocre songs I've ever heard into just a damn rocking song. It's roots are in grunge, but it sounds like Powerman 5000 ate it, crapped it out and someone who could sing and write interesting and vague lyrics took over. I can see myself driving too fast because this song is on.

Better - A slower, really melodic hit. I like the chord structure, has that great bittersweetness that rock sometimes has, then it goes very heavy for some soloing - the kind you might expect from a GNR song. Catchy as all hell. Robin Finck (on loan from NIN)'s solo toward the end almost out-Slashes Slash.

There Was a Time - One I'd heard in bootlegs and demos, again has really developed over the years into a damn good song. I hear Russia in this song for some reason. I think this was Axl Rose getting over someone. Just seems like venting - but that's what a ton of music is. And this works out very well, I get into it and enjoy it.

I.R.S. - I mean this in the best possible way, this song sounds like the montage song in Axl's life story movie. Like "I AM AXL ROSE!" Blazing guitar solo by either Ron Thal or Buckethead - couldn't tell you which one. Rock and roll, etc.

Madagascar - Sounds like a track off Use Your Illusion but good. I seriously hated the majority of the Illusion shit. It was all half-assed like some people wanted to do it and some didn't. This wasn't - this was made by someone who really wanted to smack you with some epic crap. I hear Russia in this one, too (I think Axl Rose is fascinated by Russia more than China, but Russian Democracy just doesn't sound as ironic or catchy). Sounds like it could be used in a James Bond movie, though. Which is NEVER a bad thing.

The Blues - Don't ask me how, but this sounds like a Tenacious D song. It's a good song, not one I would listen to non-stop, but in with the other ones it's damn good. Robin Finck is Slash's real replacement. If NIN takes him forever Axl is screwed because he can play with the emotion that Slash does but is as artsy-fartsy as Axl is. I hope Axl and Trent Reznor can share him.

Rihad & the Bendouins - This song pounds you in the face like a rock song should. And it is a rock song - if Led Zeppelin had Axl as a singer-type rock, even. This is proof that to be a good rock and roll band, you don't need to plagerize AC/DC like that shitty Airborne band or write the heaviest thing possible like whatever Pantera changed their name to when Dimebag Darrell died. Or those stupid hardcore emo combo bands you hear. You can come up with new ideas but keep roll around (it goes well with rock).

Some Unnamed Song - This one kind of lost me. I mean it's decent, but parts of it make me think Linkin Park which makes me not want to listen to it. Partially adult contemporary, too. The longer you listen to it, the better it gets, though. The last couple minutes make up for the first. I am a fan of Axl's willingness to make songs that build, but I don't know for certain if he succeeded with this one. It doesn't suck, but is literally the only song of the bunch that I think, "eh, I could do without it on a new GNR album."

If The World (Would End Today) - The best Apocalyptic fuck song I have ever heard. People will have sex with this song on when the world ends.