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New GN'R single leaked?

Feb 20, 2007, 06:18 PM | by Whitney Pastorek

Categories: Music

Um, okay, this may turn out to be a really well-executed hoax, but damn if it don't sound like Axl: Idolator has posted a leaked track from the looooooooooong-anticipated Chinese Democracy.

And I don't think it sucks.

I mean, it's not good. But it empirically does not suck. I'm not sure what's going on with that U2-meets-Björk beginning or the Q-Bert sound effects in the middle, and at times like these one really understands the value of Slash, but still. I was sort of expecting this to sound like utter poop. Huh.

Your thoughts?

Omar Fri, Aug 29, 2008 at 05:59 AM EST

The first leak I heard when things started leaking months ago was “Better” and it took me all of 10 seconds to realize that Axl was back, and with a rightful vengeance. The bashers WANT Axl to fail, and WANT Chinese Democracy to suck, but the fact is that if you can get past the fact that Axl’s not interested in simply grinding out the old sound - then you’ll realize that this material sounds tons better and has more energy in it than just about 99.9% of what’s out there now.

Axl is back, and he rocks.

I WANTED to like the, and TRIED to like the Velevet Revolver material when the others put that together, because, by god - I missed my dose of ANYTHING Gn’R related - but the more I heard, the more I got bored - and I realized (apologies to Slash and Co.) that Axl’s been the creative force behind the brilliance that we’ve grown accustomed to, and that we’ve been hoping to hear once again.

Phantom Tue, Mar 13, 2007 at 02:41 PM EST

I have no interest in hearing anything Axl Rose has to say unless it involves Slash, Duff, and Matt. He could really make me sit up and take notice if he involves Izzy or Gilby, too. Other than that, he can just take his hair plugs, his stupid Raiders jersey, his Charles Manson cover songs and just PISS OFF!!!

Bob Sun, Mar 4, 2007 at 04:24 PM EST

Heard it the other day and one word immediately came to mind: weak. The whole tone of the song, and his voice...just weak. Idiot had a chance to be probably be the biggest thing since Zeppelin & his candy-ass blew it. What's next, a Fred Durst cameo on the album?

Phil Thu, Feb 22, 2007 at 02:14 PM EST

http://www.billboard.com/bbcom/news/article_display.jsp?vnu_content_id=1003548782

This album is not coming out anytime soon...

Phil Wed, Feb 21, 2007 at 04:16 PM EST

When is that SUPPOSED release date supposed to be again, March 6th?? Or was it the following week, the 13th? Either way, with no song on rock radio or Mtv doing a MASSIVE making of Video or Vh-1 sponsoring any kinda behinds the scenes documentary type/What has Axl been doin for 13 yrs. thang, they can continue to leak CRAP like this cause CHINESE DEMOCRACY doesn't appear any closer to seeing the light of a release date! I agreed months ago that it wouldn't be out in March, & I still don't care, I just wanna predict how miserible its going to flop and SO NOT be worth 13 yrs. of labor. The album is already HITTING PUBERTY and its never even worn a diaper! SAD BUT TRUE.

Mike Wed, Feb 21, 2007 at 02:58 PM EST

It's pretty good, but this would have to be one of the crappier tracks on Chinese Democracy for it to meet expectations.

Alex Wed, Feb 21, 2007 at 12:04 PM EST

Seriously, guys, you don't think it sounds like a cross between Linkin Park and Staind? Literally, it seems like the song is an archival history of every passing rock fad of the past 15 years. You can almost track it:
1998 - Axl: "Hey guys, that band Limp Bizkit sounds pretty neat; let's add a part of that sound to the Better song."
2001: Axl: "Hey guys, you heard P.O.D.? I think..."
ad nasueum.

Joe C Wed, Feb 21, 2007 at 08:52 AM EST

Okay okay, I admit it, I gave in and listened to the song. My verdict: I agree with you, Whit; it's not bad; it's actually pretty good, but it is definitely NOT G'N'R'; I mean it actually sounds closer to Nine Inch Nails. Still, pretty good, Axl; now drop those dreadlocks and start calling your new band, well, Axl I guess,lol

Joe C Wed, Feb 21, 2007 at 08:42 AM EST

Sorry, Whit, as a child of the 80's and a big fan of G'N'R, I have no interest in listening to whatever AXL passes off as Guns' N' Roses these days. It's like Led Zep without John Bohnam or the Who without Keith Moon'it's Guns in name only.

furry_tom Wed, Feb 21, 2007 at 08:12 AM EST

Get the man a sequined jumpsuit. Axl Rose is officially our generations Elvis Presley.

steve Wed, Feb 21, 2007 at 08:02 AM EST

I have 10 tracks from the album in various states of remix. This is probably the best one. It's very electronic GnR without Slash's trademarks guitar vibe, unfortunately. Defintely not a 13 year opus, sad to say. Hope the residual checks pay him well, this won't.

Ali Tue, Feb 20, 2007 at 11:46 PM EST

This song doesn't suck Whitney, you're right. It isn't good either, it's fantastic. It's as good as anything on the Illusion albums, that's for sure, and that's coming from a fan for the last 19 years. I don't like this version, and thankfully, it's not the mix that's been played live, that's more guitar-driven. Hence, I don't believe it's the version that's going to be on the album. Keep up your hating all you want, Whitney. Your pathetically unoriginal Axl-bashing is just a waste of your time, as he will undoubtedly have the last laugh.

TimothyG Tue, Feb 20, 2007 at 11:15 PM EST

I must admit, as a serious fan of G'nR, I've been very mad at Axl for years, for firing his bandmates and taking forever to put out new music. He should call "Chinese Democracy" an Axl Rose solo album and not a Guns 'n Roses album.
However, this song KICKED MY ASS. Wow. It wasn't what I was expecting, but that's not a bad thing that it SURPRISED me. Axl, I hope the rest of the album is just as good. I've listened to it 10 times tonight and I'll probably listen to it 10 more times before I go to bed. Bravo.
A serious fan,
timothy

Karaoke God Tue, Feb 20, 2007 at 10:37 PM EST

This song doesn't suck. Its just the worst Guns N Roses song of all time.

Dan Daoust Tue, Feb 20, 2007 at 09:12 PM EST

Meh. Not any good. You can hear every late night bender in Axl's voice; there's none of that energy there. And it definitely does not sound like GNR, obviously because it isn't really GNR.

Michael Tue, Feb 20, 2007 at 08:42 PM EST

I like it

dan Tue, Feb 20, 2007 at 07:48 PM EST

This IS GNR, they have played this song on their recent tours, and it was licensed to a Harley Davidson commercial a few months ago - but then Axl had second thoughts, pulled this song and traded it with Paradise City.

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