Chinese Democracy

[fallenangel]

Mmm leaks...

Of course, it all still means [i]nothing[/i] because time and time again Axl finishes songs, has a listening party, a few are leaked out, there's rumors of a tour, and then he runs away for another four years.

BUT, it's happening again, and that's always fun. New songs, even if they are always demos. It's kinda funny 'cause if you combine all the leaked demos, Axl practically has released an album and a half.


Anyway, Chinese Democracy version 7.0!


Songs have been leaked left and right, primarily TWAT and Better, and European festivals are advertising Gn'R appearances. But those silly Euros are shady people, who knows what they have booked. Still, leaked songs are leaked songs.

Aaaaand, they aren't half bad leaked songs, as opposed to some of the things that have slipped out in the past. This version of completed Chinese Democracy has drifted away from the industrial sound of the last one (which given that industrial has faded in popularity, it's not surprising).

[b]TWAT[/b] [there was a time]

I hate the intro. It sounds very...Placebo, actually. I know it's just a demo and drum machine, but it makes me feel like Molko should come in with his whining and mixed sounds. Soon as the vocals kick in, though, I'm pleasantly surprised. No, Axl doesn't sound [i]exactly[/i] like he did at 28, but he rarely sounded like that even back then. It's still well done and his signature tone.

The melody has a bit of that groove that was pleasant in old Gn'R. Actually, what I think people are confused by in Axl's current voice is that it's much cleaner than it used to be. He used to have three voices, high, medium, and low raspy vocals, but now his high tone is usually clear like Vince Neil. Different. I like it.

The chorus is a bit busy musically for my taste. Only for a line or two, and who knows how it sounds in the finished version. Lyrics-wise it's very Axl, and I'm proud of him. Stylistically it's also very him, like a harder Estranged where it's got those down points that move into guitar solos, very epic. Love. It's missing Slash's style and Duff's driving bass line, but it'll do.

Epic songwriting has always been his thing. I give it a B+/A-


[b]Better[/b]

Another lousy intro. Soft falsetto does not suit him and it's creepy. But again, as soon as it kicks in, it kicks ass. It sounds SO CLOSE to old Axl vocally. Put it next to the Hollywood Rose demos and it's practically the same thing.

The melody is balancing between grooving and a bit too modern metal, but I can't complain. It sure as hell beats the earlier leaks like Oh My God. Very cool. Still a different guitar style than old Gn'R, but that could ultimately be a good thing. Don't want tribute band rejects anyway.

This song is one of his favorites, and it's pretty obvious why. A-


I'm so proud of Axl, nutty little guy wasn't talking out his ass this time. Now's the part where he screws it up and trashes all the songs to start over. <_< [i]And[/i] with this new proof of his competent voice, I'm desperately hoping that Madagascar is still planned for the album. I love the live Rio performance, one of his better live vocals of the time, and god dammit I want a studio version. He's kept me waiting 4 years, let's get on it.


Apparently he's very upset about the leaks, but come on, you work on an album for 12 years and have new songs, they're gonna be leaked. At least they don't completely suck, they may even bring a few Gn'R fans back. To buy the album, at least, he'll be hard pressed to find anyone who will pay top dollar for tickets anymore. Then again, the Gn'R name still carries some weight along with the trashed reputation.
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"I care about people as much as I care about lawn furniture" - Dexter/Michael C. Hall

[Sephir0th666777]

I knew someone would make a thread about this.

Song links, anyone?
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[img]http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y148/Sephir0th666777/mercy.jpg[/img]
Red_Quatre:Who's the guy that says "Get over here!" and then grabs you.
Blad: A rapist

[fallenangel]

Now's the part where Axl sues me. :)

TWAT

Better
_________________
"I care about people as much as I care about lawn furniture" - Dexter/Michael C. Hall

[Sephir0th666777]

[quote="fallenangel (fallen)"] Now's the part where Axl sues me. :)

TWAT

Better [/quote]
I lol'd
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[img]http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y148/Sephir0th666777/mercy.jpg[/img]
Red_Quatre:Who's the guy that says "Get over here!" and then grabs you.
Blad: A rapist

[fallenangel]

Some websites have been sent cease and desist letters. But those will expire in 7 days anyway, s'not like it's a major Gn'R site with permanent download links.

So Axl can shove it. and shove it in my direction, plzkthx
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"I care about people as much as I care about lawn furniture" - Dexter/Michael C. Hall

[Dark_Soul676]

Man...if GnR were to reunite and go back to touring/album making, I'd be one happy man!

[fallenangel]

http://www.metalsludge.tv/home/index.php?o...=1190&Itemid=42

Ha ha haaaaaaa-- dude. He looks far less stretched, tucked, and peeled than he did a couple years ago, but good lord...the hair. Stop it. Now.

That's years he's had those stupid braids, though. Impressive. Those fake braids have managed to get along with him longer than most humans.


Unfortunate thing about that story is that for every one like it, there's another of him being a psychotic bitch throwing bottles at people and storming out to call his therapist and rant about how it's all pointless. Unless he's snapped out of it and got his shit together. Unlikely. And then I wouldn't like him as much.
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"I care about people as much as I care about lawn furniture" - Dexter/Michael C. Hall