Snap judgment: Guns N' Roses' 'Chinese Democracy' (single)

"Chinese Democracy," the first single from the ridiculously long-awaited Guns N' Roses album of the same name, is out, and can be heard below.

Here are some thoughts the song inspired early this morning.

No pop star has built a fortress as maze-filled and iron-clad as one W. Axl Rose. Not Michael Jackson, whose retreat was forced by scandal as much as by artistic crisis, and who seems ever more weakened by his reputation's slide. Not Zack de la Rocha, who (like Rose) went down countless collaborative roads before revamping the Rage Against the Machine template with his new project, One Day As a Lion. Not Garth Brooks, who also turned hermit, but craved the crowds too much to stay inside.

Rose, the most ambitious hard rocker of the late 20th century -- shout-outs to your Trents and your Bonos, but Axl is the most vividly driven -- essentially quarantined the Guns N' Roses brand for 15 years -- unable, perhaps, to reconcile the sounds in his head with what is humanly possible. "Chinese Democracy," the title track from the album finally coming out in a month, hits like an offering pushed through a crack in a locked gate, hinting that those sounds, never completely apprehended, have now coalesced into something Rose can face.

The sound is murky, ugly and evocative of a dark cityscape; you could call it "Blade Runner rock," because like that 1982 film, it's a very dirty vision of the future. Siren-like effects kick off the track, and then a slicing guitar riff (courtesy of Robin Finck, perhaps, or Buckethead -- the credits should be clarified whenever Rose deigns to do so) punctuated by squiggling, pedal-heavy licks, sets up Rose's multiple-tracked vocal.

"It don't really matter," he sings. "You'll find out for yourself." As the cryptic verses unfold, it becomes clear that this is one of Rose's songs from inside the cage of fame, attacking external forces he despises but can't ignore or repel. Like "Get in the Ring" or "You Could Be Mine," this is Rose as the nastiest kind of punk.

On one level, it's a protest song about Chinese state oppression. More important, it's a spit back at the audience that's been waiting for what has to be a masterpiece, if Rose is to survive artistically.

The song builds like bile. It doesn't behave the way radio-friendly singles usually do. The chorus is just an extension of the verses, rising a little in pitch and compression. There isn't really a proper hook; the sweet release that Slash's solos always brought to the mix never comes. But the refrain sticks after several listens.

"It would take a lot more..." is the key phrase, the one that Rose sings in still-powerful mid-range. More hate, more time. (There's a weird reference to masturbation too, that will have critics and possibly 12-year-olds snickering for a while.) These are the points when the song sounds the most like Nine Inch Nails -- a shot of aggression that somehow contains its own alienated retreat.

"Chinese Democracy" also recalls "I'm Afraid of Americans," David Bowie's 1997 foray with NIN. Both songs have a suffocated quality, as if their makers are pushing through smoke to express these thoughts. It's the sound of florid, romantic rockers aiming for something cold and modern.

But Rose can never really be cold. He's a Heat Miser -- whatever he touches starts to melt in his clutch. That's why these paranoid rockers never quite satisfy the way his grandiose ballads can. As real as Rose's anger may be, in song it starts to feel overly put on, in need of a sweeping chorus (or Slash-like ringing solo) to relieve the tension of the pose.

Still, for all the pooh-poohing this song will inevitably earn because it's just been too long in coming to fulfill all hopes, "Chinese Democracy" brings back a passionate weirdness that the hard rock airwaves have lacked. However overwrought or undercooked the whole album may be, it's good to have this mad king venturing forth over his moat.

-- Ann Powers

Photo by Gina Ferazzi / Los Angeles Times

Comments

[JOHNNY SUEDE]

IT SOUNDS LIKE "trogdor"...

[Return of the Son of Mr. Green Genes]

It's not that bad a song...don't know why it took axl so damned long to come out with it though. It's not like he's writing an effing opera or anything. It's rock n roll. Three chords, some masturbatory guitar solo, and his AWESOME vocals....DONE.

[Justin C. Massey]

Chinese Democracy: rad at first listen.

I am definitely impressed.

Rock on, Mr. Rose. Well worth the wait.

~ JCM

[liz]

I LOVE it!
Liz

[Dominic F.]

Bloody amazing.

[BatVin]

Yeah, Axl still rocks. It's really cool.

[Paul G]

FM radio is so hungry for new rock this one will play itself into a hit. It's good enough, not great.

Funny, there's a whole generation of 90's and 00's kids who I have seen clutching to 80's rock, and they have no identity, because there are few good bands..

Is there any kids left who can get off their butts and stop playing video games, and be the next generation of rockers?

[natty]

Time was when Axl used to actually SING. Man he had pipes! Afraid those little throat problems are serious. Hope there are some songs on the album with harmony, singing, screaming! Not talking and raising your voice with a delay,octaver, whatever EFX, (talent enhancers)

[The One]

Sounds like anything made in China , cheap! Overly digitized voice and guitar kiddie riffs and no real guitar melody. Not even close, to that original sound of GnR , The new GNR (should be called the AXL project) has gone commercial. And, like all so called music these days it will probably do ok because there is nothing else new to listen to. Our hopes remain with Slash and the reviving of Velvet Revolver to bring back that hard rock blues sound.

[Venkman]

Well written piece. I think she speaks for a lot of people. No matter what, the refernce will always be: "We waited 15 years, it better be the second coming of Christ." The song is a powerful rocker with depth and width and it's addictive as hell. And this is probably just a teaser.

[Black Betty]

Digitized voice? what the heck are you hearing besides the negative bile in your ears? This is AMAZING. Listen to the high voices, the guitar work and energy is incredible. The record will be a huge success!!!!! ROCK IS BACK!!! After all you Slash followers concede that this makes Velvet Revolver look like a middle school band. Which it does. Listen again, and again. its AMAZING!!!!!!! Its fresh and exciting, not recycled B side crap!

[axl]

Hi. It's Axl. Please buy my record. I need the money.

[Jimmy]

Watch Axl implode, he will NEVER be as he once was.... 15 years for this crap!! I was expecting something breathtaking, AXL should've taken the Hendrix, Cobain, Morrison way out.... now he's just sad.

[Scott]

Good luck to Mr Rose Inc. It took far too long for my humble self to realize there are always two faces to ever clock.

It's evolving, no doubt about that but please, just let your ears do the listening and forget the 15 year poem that the negative people put forward at every given opportunity. Forget the ill fated, shallow words of previous Guitar Hero's - Dear me.

Open your mind. Listen and embrace.

Bravo.

A tease for great things to come I'm sure!

[Great Review Ann]

How can you dismiss the new gnr sound and album when you havnt heard it yet? One single does not represnt the entire sound of an album. This is the first single of many. I cant promise that will like the album but what I CAN PROMISE you is this:

the follow up singles and songs on the album will have guitar melody, will have choruses and will have some elements of old GNR.

Old Gnr was great. But this is a new band with the same leader. Axl doesnt live in the past.

Its So Easy was the first single from AFD. Did you know that? How did AFD do out of the gate? Not what you think it did. The following singles and some digestion and processing made that album what is is today.

If you dont like it, cool, but 1 single doesnt make or break an album. If you think it does, then you know nothing about rock n roll . And I would suggest you go review some pop albums instead.
peace

[Stephen]

15 years for this? Utter crap. The American public will prove, once again, that they are mostly sheep and buy it. To paraphrase Patti Smith: "Jesus died for somebody's sins but not these..."

[Flip]

Rocks! Blows away anything that has come out in the last 5 years. Way to go AXL!!!!

[Jimmy K]

I have been waiting years for this. I will line up in the streets as I did for Use Your Illusion I & II. I honestly thought we'd have democracy in China before I'd see this headline, but all I can say is 'thank you' to Axl and his crew, including Shaq.

[Josh]

This is no GNR. This is Crap. Axl can not be GNR by himself. I will not buy this album. Axl should learn from the Godfathers of real Rock n Roll, AC/DC.

[damion]

Axl is a genius.this song totally rocks, and this album will destroy everything in its path!!

[Carrie fr SFV]

I like this single. I think it rocks and I'm looking forward to hearing the rest of the album!!

[Ray]

First off,yes .. This is merely the first single,not the entire album,so please reserve judgement.For those of us who are quite familar with the "leaks",I can absolutely guarantee you,that after hearing this most awesome final version of the title track,other songs like "The Blues","Madagascar" and "Catcher In The Rye" will blow you away.Not even I,myself can imagine the reaction I may have upon hearing these for the first time,in all of their completed and mastered glory.In a way,I regret having listened to the leaks in the first place;but at the same time,it eliminated any doubt I had regarding this records greatness.I admire Axl for not falling into the trap, all too often followed by bands by re-recording the same album,songs/sound over and over again.Radiohead is a good example of why evolving as a band/artist is a good thing.The Beatles/The Beach Boys would be another.So seriously,if this song (Chinese Democracy) doesn't convince you,I'd suggest giving songs (while only in demo form) like the aformentioned "The Blues","Madagascar","Better" and "Catcher In The Rye" a good thorough listen.You will not be disappointed.Also,if you want to hear what is possibly the most intensely ambitious thing Axl's ever done,there is about 16 Best Buy promos floating around the net.Promo (whether official or not) previews a song NO ONE has heard slated for the album (promo #10).What at first sounds like Axl channeling Freddie Mercury,with Axl wailing,crooning,basically just showcasing all of his vocals ranges and abilities suddenly kicks into a groovy ass number,which is cut off much too soon,but not before Axl spits out the lines,somewhat reminiscent of his "It's So Easy"-style vocals
"Don't Even Try To Stop Us Now".If I were you,I'd take his advice.

[Mr.Brownstone]

Axl is back!!!....finally true GNR fans will be rewarded and honored for our patience and loyalty.....As i been reading lots of comments in diferents blogs and websites....i can say that 90% of the people are excited and eager to have the album in theyre hands, obviusly there are some haters and "Salsh followers-Anti Axl" closedminds that say the album is crap, but im speakin for me and for those who BELIEVE in Guns n Roses and all I can say is that this November 23TH I will be in line at the midnight sale at Best Buy, holdin my Dr Pepper and drinking it slowly, for me it feels longer this 29 days I have to wait to buy it than the 13 years I waited for the album.

[RidleyGriff]

After waiting for so long for this album to finally be released, I can only feel a strange sadness now that the moment is at hand. Truly the end of an era for all GN'R fans.

[Mysteron]

The song is like a self fufilled prophecy. Genius. Must have been rewritten reflectively. Couldn't have come out with anything else, or better, after so much time. Anything resembeling an effort towards the grandiose masterpiece a la bohemian rapsody/november rain would have been slammed much harder. Direct truthfulness in the offense sense is the best defense. I like it, a lot.