I was very skeptical of the reemergence of  Guns N’ Roses, especially without Slash and  Izzy Stradlin. Technically the band should not even be called GNR anymore; rather Axl N’ Roses (ANR) or something like that would be better.

While the bad taste of Slash’s solo album is still fresh in my memory, even after very many years, my expectations were low for Chinese Democracy. I was wrong, Axl has done an amazing job; hardcore GNR fans will not be disappointed.

There are three tracks I really like: 1) Chinese Democracy 2) Madagascar and 3) Better. I have not listened to the entire album, but these three are good.  In other words, I would not buy the album, but the singles.

Let’s get it right: Chinese Democracy is neither Appetite for Destruction nor Use Your Illusion I & II, but  worth listening to.  The biggest complaint is that Chinese Democracy is not as good as Appetite for Destruction. In my mind, that is the dumbest comment one could make.  Appetite for Destruction is probably on the top 10-or-so all-time best selling album, which will be very difficult to beat.

Final Note/wishful thinking: Slash would have made it even better. Apparently Axl had to have an army of guitarists to do what Slash and Izzy could do.