At the end of the day it doesn't matter how good Chinese Democracy is, it will never be 15+ years in the making good. Chinese Democracy could be as good as Sgt. Peppers, Exile On Main Street, Dark Side Of the Moon and Highway 61 Revisited combined and it will still be critisized for taking so long. My opinion is, from the music I've heard, this will be a very good record. But the real importance of this record will be the circumstances involved in getting this record to materialize. Let's face it. The making of, and circumstances surrounding Chinese Democracy is unprecendented. Never has an album taken this long to complete and release, never has an artist/band (as popular as GN'R version 1) had this long a gap in between records coupled with the vast difference in musical landscapes. When GN'R were at their height there was barely an internet let alone anything called file sharing. Thirteen million dollars spent on making an album when file sharing did not exist and still not released in a time when file sharing is running rampant and will possibly be the demise of the present music ditribution model. This is a hugley important record artistically and culturally. Everyone who is interested in music on an emotional level as well as a means of support is watching what this record will do when and if it actually gets a released date. Chinese Democracy can single handedly be the example that people in the industry use to decide whether they should go on the way they are, change dramatically or leave the businesss all together. this is a major event wether you are a GN'R fan or not. this album represents something so much bigger! to so many people.
At the end of the day it doesn't matter how good Chinese Democracy is, it will never be 15+ years in the making good. Chinese Democracy could be as good as Sgt. Peppers, Exile On Main Street, Dark Side Of the Moon and Highway 61 Revisited combined and it will still be critisized for taking so long. My opinion is, from the music I've heard, this will be a very good record. But the real importance of this record will be the circumstances involved in getting this record to materialize. Let's face it. The making of, and circumstances surrounding Chinese Democracy is unprecendented. Never has an album taken this long to complete and release, never has an artist/band (as popular as GN'R version 1) had this long a gap in between records coupled with the vast difference in musical landscapes. When GN'R were at their height there was barely an internet let alone anything called file sharing. Thirteen million dollars spent on making an album when file sharing did not exist and still not released in a time when file sharing is running rampant and will possibly be the demise of the present music ditribution model. This is a hugley important record artistically and culturally. Everyone who is interested in music on an emotional level as well as a means of support is watching what this record will do when and if it actually gets a released date. Chinese Democracy can single handedly be the example that people in the industry use to decide whether they should go on the way they are, change dramatically or leave the businesss all together. this is a major event wether you are a GN'R fan or not. this album represents something so much bigger! to so many people.
ReplyDeleteThanks for your excellent comment, 'Anonymous.'
ReplyDeleteI agree with all your points and wish to add to them.
'Chinese Democracy' has already exceeded expectations.
No one has paid a nickel for it yet, but it has and continues to entertain millions of fans for 9+ years.
The ongoing struggle and unbelieveable drama behind this album is the most interesting thing happening is music today.
As you said, this album is a reflection for everything that is happening in the music scene.
It's almost like a living entity.
Were Axl Rose to release this thing - it would crystalize - instead it is constantly evolving.
Following this drama is more entertaining than listening to a CD.
"It is a riddle, wrapped in a mystery, inside an enigma."
In the age of the internet, there is very little mystery left - and that is precisely what makes this drama so interesting.
That and the fact that GN'R haven't thrown an airball yet - one can only guess that the eventual payoff will be at least adequate.