Friday, November 28, 2008

Chinese Democracy

Axl Rose is a pre-madonna. Axl Rose is a whiny, self-absorbed, childish diva.

But here's the thing. Axl Rose is also one of the great lead singers ever, maybe the best alive today. That's right, you heard me. Robert Plant, Mick Jagger, both still alive; but, Plant doesn't want to sing Zeppelin anymore and Jagger's just too old. Regardless, Rose is one of the best.

I was 10 years old when the last Guns N' Roses album was released. 16 years later we have been giving the gift of Chinese Democracy. It's good. Not 16 years good. Not Pet Sounds good like Axl apparently was shooting for. But it's a great rock record.

But it's not a Guns N' Roses record. Without Slash playing the leads, there is no Guns N' Roses.

What Chinese Democracy really does is show the Nickelback's and Hinder's of the world what a rock lead singer is supposed to do. What rock singing is supposed to sound like. (God, when will people learn that Nickelback is the opposite of music)

If it were called Axl Rose's School for Rock Singing, maybe it would have been great. But, as a Guns N' Roses album, it's just pretty good.

Glad to be back, B

2 comments:

Adam said...

Doesn't Axl get some points taken off for his "Cancun Spring Break '97" haircut?

What are your thoughts on velvet revolver/slash's snake pit?

I wish the band could just get over it and get back together. You'd think that since both Axl isn't the same w/o the others and Slash & Co. aren't the same without Axl that the ridiculous amount of money they could make together would provide enough motivation for a reunion.

I'm on the night train!

Anonymous said...

i'm pretty much ignoring the Axl Rose post...i'm not a musician so i concede that there might be something there that i'm missing.

i thought i would let you know that i've honored you with the Superior Scribbler award, i hope you'll come by my place (www.revcrystalk.wordpress.com) and pick it up. peace and blessings