“Finally. ORGASM!”
This response, posted on a very active Guns N’ Roses message board, was in reference to the official release this morning of GNR’s “Chinese Democracy,” the group’s first official single since “Oh My God” in 1999, and the title track of their first album of original material since Use Your Illusion I and II in 1991. Yes, we do use the word “group” loosely for what has essentially been a decade-and-a-half–in-the-making Axl Rose solo project, but why parse language at a climactic time like this?
Except, for some of us, the track is more of an anticlimax (not that even the greatest GNR song ever conceived could possibly be worth so sustained a buildup). You can hear the track here and judge for yourself and share your verdict in the comments section below. Our first impression? (Well, not really first, if you count the time we spent listening to leaked versions months ago.) It’s a pretty terrific blueprint for a hard-rock song in search of a chorus that never actually arrives.
Chris Willman reviews the track, after the jump.
The first minute of the 4:40 running time consists ofget-the-juices-flowing sound effects; finally, a minute and a half in,we get an abridged version of that patented Axl scream, and then whatfeels like the buildup to a great refrain,but turns out to really bethe refrain, which is moderately memorable at best. Some niceSlash-Who? soloing kicks in at just past the three-minute point, butit’s not nearly the catharsis the song seems (or needs) to be buildingtoward.
The track isn’t yet available for official download, though it’s been released to radio—where,we’re hearing, the reaction among morning jocks and their listenersthis morning has been very mixed. What’s yours? Does this whet yourappetite for the album any more or less than “Shackler’s Revenge,” another teaser track that came out a few weeks back as part of the Rock Band 2 game (and which has even less in the way of a hook, but a lot more gonzo guitar)? Share your finally realized hopes for Democracyor still-thwarted GNR dreams below. And if you have the slightest ideawhat the cryptic, vaguely-but-not-really-political lyrics mean—we’repretty sure it’s the first time the Falun Gong and masturbation havecome up in the same song—do share.
More on Guns N’ Roses:
Guns N’ Roses’ "Chinese Democracy" gets release date
"Chinese Democracy": Is that really the cover art?
Dr. Pepper’s "Chinese Democracy" offer
Axl Rose responds to Dr. Pepper offer
Comments (1-30) of 621 Add your comment
I care little for Axl and the whole gang, but I most certainly will cast my vote for that above pic being the new Chinese Democracy album cover. Screw the antique bike! That’s a winner!
This will be an excellent album. EW will be eating it’s words in a few weeks when the album hits Best Buy.
I liked it – not too bad. Worth the wait? I dunno – but not bad. I’ll take my free can of Dr Pepper now, please.
Does this mean everyone in America gets a free Dr. Pepper now? What was that viral campaign of theirs about the release of Chinese Democracy?
Great song. Really rocks and compared to other music out today it blows it out of the water.
Love the song… destined to be a classic (and it already is, for some downloading motherfuckers)!
Yawn – the phrase “over-promise & under-deliver” springs to mind while listening to the track. It took how-many-years and how-many-millions-of-dollars to create this??? Another nail in the coffin of the music biz.
Cool song
Just heard it on the radio this morning and I really like it. Very rocking!!!
Willman’s dead on about the lack of climax in the song. Guess Axl can’t write a good song structure without Izzy’s help.
this stuff is amazing, it really is orgasm for the ears
it doesn’t sound like anything has ever sounded more then axl’s voice that still fan-fuckin-tastic,
I think it sounds great. I’m very excited. Why all the negative words? Is it just to get readers? It sounds like nothing GNR has done before and I think it’s going to be a great album.
This is just the 1st single. The album will be out only in 11/25. Wait ’till you listen to the probably next single “Better”, then you’ll see what this band is about!
I think the song rocks. Not as good as It’s so easy or Welcome to the Jungle, but that was over 20 years ago. In my opinion it is better than most of the stuff on the illusion albums. I like the fact that you can actually hear the guitar rather than just the drums and bass which is so common in todays “modern rock” mixing.
Welcome Back I liked it
I cant be the only one who is positively suprised about this tune. Its just great.
… What is the perfect gnr song made of? Axl raw anger, wicked guitar solo and a catchy riff. Those are all there.
This is a great tune.
Wow. It rocks! I’m really surprised…so that means Axl is really talented guy.
Say what you want about the old band and the new band; Axl Rose is a genius. This song is very good.
This song is awesome! I LOVE it! One of the best openings I’ve heard in a long time – Will be a great opener for future gigs….
I love it! But “Better” will be better as a second single.
this is old poo, repackaged, and fed to the masses!! Enjoy sheeple!!!!
this is old poo, repackaged, and fed to the masses!! Enjoy sheeple!!!!
Finally, real rock is back on the radio. The last decade of Emo whining has been pure hell.
This song rocks!!!
I think this is a good rocker. I admit, it threw me for a loop because I was expecting the chorus to use the name of the song, but I got over that quick. Willman, you are definitely off-base on your assessment of “Shackler’s Revenge”, too. That song is very catchy and has a prominent hook in the bridge. Heaven forbid someone actually eschew traditional pop songwriting and structuring conventions, though.
Please. If Axl Rose is a genius then Robert Plant must be immortal.
This song rocks! I can’t wait for the album! It is going to rock! These are positive times for everyone, not negative!!!
Axl Rules!!!! The Gunners are back. Woooohoooooooooo!!
The song is average at best. It lacks any memorable hooks, and the vocals could be a lot better. If Axl wasn’t such an ego-maniac, we might be luistening to the original lineup, and actually hearing a much better song.
I have to say that I find it incredibly amusing that so many of the negative or indifferent responses inevitably invoke some reference to the old lineup. By and large, it comes off as “it’s not that good because it’s not the old band”. Not exactly what I would call being open-minded.