I really like Finck's work on "The Blues," the original leaked version called "The Blues remix," which seemed to be a demo cobbled together out of a studio session and two live performances. His lead guitar and solo were great on it, too bad Axl chopped a lot out of the final version. I can understand if you don't like his style I guess.
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Official Chinese Democracy release thread
- Thread starter shantyman
- Start date
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BarrelMakingPenguin
Member
So, why did Buckethead end up leaving? Axl just too much to take? ...or is he still around? I'm not too up to date on any GNR related news. I heard Shackler's Revenge in Rock Band and it's really catchy. I can't wait for this.
Buckethead
Banned
If true:
Bring back
<--------
Problem solved.
The man is a fucking machine. He hasn't released 20 albums of complete awesomeness for no reason. Ridiculous persona or not, the music that comes out of the chicken man is uncomparable.
Bring back
<--------
Problem solved.
The man is a fucking machine. He hasn't released 20 albums of complete awesomeness for no reason. Ridiculous persona or not, the music that comes out of the chicken man is uncomparable.
Buckethead
Banned
BarrelMakingPenguin said:
Bucket likes recording, not as much with touring. He's released 24 solo albums.
He likes to work and at a fast pace and had issues with Axl's "I record when the muse shows herself" mantra.
Don't get me wrong I love Axl, but I understood why Bucket had to get out of there. He creates, creates, creates, and creates. Axl's pace (has been) much more slow. But then again he apparently has 3 albums in the can, so 3 albums + a shit ton of demos in 10 years ain't too bad.
Anyway: the promo for Chinese Democracy is starting to pick up and it's #1 on iTunes on both Rock/Overall Charts. Good news for Gn'R.
I wish Axl would show himself and tell everyone who is in the band.
I cant wait for this album. The leaked tracks are incredible (well most of them... a couple are pretty lousy.. but the good ones are great!)
I think Use Your Illusion has the best gnr tracks but Appetite may still be the better album since it has less filler due to being a single disc. I see this one fitting on nicely with the past gnr work. cant wait~
I think Use Your Illusion has the best gnr tracks but Appetite may still be the better album since it has less filler due to being a single disc. I see this one fitting on nicely with the past gnr work. cant wait~
So 'Better' was sent to radio stations this morning as Chinese Democracy's sophomore single.
As someone who has listened to every leaked version of this track extensively, I can confidently say that the final mix turned out to be the best! Axl got it right. There was some concern among fans when the most recent leak had featured the guitars downmixed in favor of the background synth line and vocals, but the single remedies this and sounds great. There are even a few new touches, like some additional guitar accents during the chorus. A++++ song.
Listen to the Better single here:
http://www.q1043.com/pages/news/gunsnroses/better.html
As someone who has listened to every leaked version of this track extensively, I can confidently say that the final mix turned out to be the best! Axl got it right. There was some concern among fans when the most recent leak had featured the guitars downmixed in favor of the background synth line and vocals, but the single remedies this and sounds great. There are even a few new touches, like some additional guitar accents during the chorus. A++++ song.
Listen to the Better single here:
http://www.q1043.com/pages/news/gunsnroses/better.html
Buckethead
Banned
We got a big beautiful Page #1 now, I suggest you guess check it out.
"Better" is fabulous though. Sounds wonderful. Some minor gripes, but besides that I love it.
"Better" is fabulous though. Sounds wonderful. Some minor gripes, but besides that I love it.
Angry Grimace
Two cannibals are eating a clown. One turns to the other and says "does something taste funny to you?"
High Quality official release on the official GNR page here:Buckethead said:
http://web.gunsnroses.com/splash.jsp
Still shoulda released IRS first, but Better is a great song.
Differences to the song from the demo: ALL of the snaking synth lines have been toned down drastically, even the bubbles during the bridge, and guitar tracks turned up higher. Extra guitar on Choruses, slightly different take of first solo. It's actually, weirdly, a little drier than I would expect from Axl. There's not much reverb on guitars at all going on.
It's possible the GnR original lineup is being reassembled. <cross fingers>shantyman said:Finck was removed from the GnR Myspace page, so he might be gone. Another one bites the dust.
Best thing he could have done for the song, imo. In a way, this shows the leaks were a good thing for the final album. The fans pretty much unanimously cried out for Axl to "bring the guitars back" when the synth/vocal-heavy mix surfaced.Angry Grimace said:
Angry Grimace
Two cannibals are eating a clown. One turns to the other and says "does something taste funny to you?"
The possibility of a reunion on the heels of a release 17 years in the making with no input from the original guys?Teddman said:
I'd say the chance is around 0.01%
Buckethead
Banned
Angry Grimace said:
Fuck the original guys. Keep Robin. Bring back Buckethead.
More likely than you'd think. If you've been keeping up with GnR news, both Slash and Steven Adler have complimented what they've head of the Chinese Democracy leaks. Adler has expressed a desire to reunite the band in recent interviews... Izzy Stradlin is on good enough terms to tour with Axl Rose currently and perform on a handful of classic songs. And Velvet Revolver is now broken up, which frees up Duff & Slash.Angry Grimace said:
It's possible that Axl will tour with his current lineup to support Chinese Democracy with the guys who actually played on the record, and then to reform the original lineup for the next album.
Angry Grimace
Two cannibals are eating a clown. One turns to the other and says "does something taste funny to you?"
I wouldn't go that far.Buckethead said:
Chinese Democracy is nice, but Izzy and Slash wrote a SERIOUS amount of stuff. Chiense Democracy has nothing on Use Your Illusion.
Buckethead has nothing on Slash, either FWIW.
Buckethead
Banned
Angry Grimace said:
Fixed.
I love UYI I and II. I think that it's horribly underrated, but there's some overblown/poorly structured tracks on there. Double albums usually fall under their own weight. More recently RHCP's Stadium Arcadium and more infamously The Beatles' White Album. They be unheralded greats, but the rest of the world doesn't really care. But the Illusion records are great "Estranged" is spectacular, "Coma" is also fantastic, and "Breakdown" is an undiscovered gem by most... but "Chinese Democracy" is more cohesive a record even given the amalgamation of the various genres. It's epic, it has a ton of layers, thus it's focused on that ideal.
That being said the old guys are in the past. I love the old guys. I saw the old Gn'R numerous times in the early days, but that time is done. Izzy is the only guy I'd ever want back but he even played with the new incarnation in 2006 which is enough to fill that appetite.
And I love Slash, don't get me wrong. What he produced with Gn'R was incredible. But that was done under the leadership and direction of Axl. Numerous parties (not associated with Axl) have gone on the record about Axl arguing with Slash to play the SCOM, Estranged, and November Rain solos outside of various recording studios. I find it funny how some of Slash's greatest contributions were ones that he never wanted to make. Very telling.
So, Slash is good yes, but he needs a brilliant guy like Axl pushing him. Slash's efforts with Snakepit and Velvet Revolver were average at best. Uninspired, bluesy dribble. Slash circa 1987-91 = Great guitarist. Slash circa 93-2008 = Average guitarist coasting off of past success and prior established mystique.
But for the record, there's no way you can say that Slash is a more capable guitarist than Buckethead. That's not bias, that's the facts. Buckethead has released 23 solo albums spanning every genre, most of them good. He can play the bluesy type stuff as well as hard rock. There's some great stuff by Bucket on "Chinese Democracy".
He has a mind-blowing, heart-wrenching solo on "There Was a Time", a real great bluesy solo (also emotional) on "Sorry", and some fabulous spanish guitar on "If The World" not to mention other contributions.....
Angry Grimace
Two cannibals are eating a clown. One turns to the other and says "does something taste funny to you?"
Your entire argument is premised on the fact that somehow, in some universe, Chinese Democracy is better than Use Your Illusion. I mean, what?Buckethead said:
Then again, I don't really know what to tell you...it's hard to legitimately argue the point with someone that likes Buckethead to the point that Buckethead is both their moniker and avatar. It's more than likely you're simply going to argue anything Buckethead's put a note on is better than anything else period.
Buckethead
Banned
Angry Grimace said:
Has nothing to do with speed of playing. It has to do with quality of output of material. I've listened to every album Buckethead has put out, some average, but more often than not it's outstanding. I've listened to every thing Slash has played on: Snakepit, VR, Alice Cooper, etc. but most of it is redundant and not very inspired.
Angry Grimace said:
I didn't say "sucks", I said average. And it has nothing to do with Axl releasing material either, that's a moot point. But Slash's output has been average compared to his work in Gn'R since he has left.
I love Slash and wish him all the best but he needs a good vocalist to mesh with his style. I like STP, but Weiland's voice went to shit. That and the mixing on the VR records was terrible.
And musicians, not just Slash, need another musician pushing them, calling them higher. It has nothing to do with petty squabbles over Axl vs. Slash. But Slash hasn't grown or developed that much as a player since his days in Gn'R. If he has, he hasn't show it on any of the records he's been on since then...
Angry Grimace said:
Unless I'm mistaken, you haven't heard the final record? Maybe only leaks. And you cannot really compare them. It's like comparing "Meet the Beatles" to "Revolver".
Angry Grimace said:
Has nothing to do with Buckethead vs. Slash. It has to do with fact. Buckethead has put out more records of quality material (albeit mostly guitar only albums) than Slash.
For the record, Slash was the first guitarist I ever loved/idolized. Don't be confused. This isn't petty fanboyism, it's dealing with reality.
Their styles are different and no I'm not arguing anything "Buckethead's put a not on is godly" that's your interjection as a result of your bias.
I never claimed either guitarist was better, merely pointed that Buckethead has more great content than Slash. He's been more productive. Thus saying Slash has been coasting off his prior rep is a completely fair statement. You may not want to realize that, but it's the truth.
Slash really suffered post-GnR. The Snakepit was never any good, he just didn't have the songwriting chops to front a band. And then Velvet Revolver was solid, but still, that band didn't produce anything that was on level with Chinese Democracy's better tracks. Axl proved he was the chief songwriting talent.
I think Slash's best work outside GnR is probably on "Fall to Pieces" from Velvet Revolver's first album. That's a great dynamic riff, soaring solo, can be mentioned alongside his stuff with GnR. Otherwise, seems he needs a songwriting presence like Rose to push him.
I'd still like to see him back with Rose though.
I think Slash's best work outside GnR is probably on "Fall to Pieces" from Velvet Revolver's first album. That's a great dynamic riff, soaring solo, can be mentioned alongside his stuff with GnR. Otherwise, seems he needs a songwriting presence like Rose to push him.
I'd still like to see him back with Rose though.
Angry Grimace
Two cannibals are eating a clown. One turns to the other and says "does something taste funny to you?"
:lolManics said:
My personal thought: This is a really weird mix. Every instrument sounds weirdly separate and non-cohesive, which wasn't there in in the May leaks. I dislike 90% of the stuff Ron's added. It sounds like it was recorded 2 years later and layered right on top by an amateur. All of which is true.
Angry Grimace
Two cannibals are eating a clown. One turns to the other and says "does something taste funny to you?"
My bro d/l'd this and I listened to it. Some random thoughts on each song and the changes the label made:
3 1/2 stars of 5. Would be more if there was less songs that ripoff other artists.
Chinese Democracy: We've heard it.
Shackler's: Remixed to be less in your face and fit in better with the album. Seems to be a different mix than even RB. The first version that leaked of this song basically ripped your ears out with how in your face the guitars were. Sounds like an impression of Rob Zombie.
Better: We've heard it. Changes benefit the song. Lots of electronics taken out.
Street of Dreams: Obvious pro-tools edit of Ron Thal's guitar into the track. He seems to come in already having played the chord. :lol Having heard the original versions kind of ruins a good song, becuase you notice how distracting the new guitars and strings are.
If the World: Lots of weird changes, especially around 2:00 mark, a completely strange unexpected effect going on.
There Was a Time: Substantially unchanged other than some stronger guitars.
Catcher in the Rye: This reminds me very strongly of the UYI song Yesterdays to me.
Scraped: Actually sounds somewhat like GN'R, but that intro is so cringe worthy I dont' know if everyone will get to the song. It really is that bad. It's Axl singing with himself in this really weird layered thing. The actual song is rocking Appetite sounding stuff. Delete the intro and get Axl to rasp the entire song and not do that whiny Hetfield thing on parts of the verse and it's a great song, not a good one.
Riad N' the Bedouins: Bad song, changes to the intro don't fix that. It's a lame riff and vaguely rocking song with a rip-off of Immigrant Song.
Sorry: This song is a lame Pink Floyd ripoff. It's a swirly, weirdo song that sounds like Floyd with Axl singing.
IRS: Great song, but, they came very close to ruining this song with the mix. Went from a great post GN'R-Axl track to a very distracting mess. Axl's vocals have gone down and while there are more of them, the rhythm guitars dont' kick in with any punch, it's like they're just there.
Madagascar: I almost don't hear any difference on this song from the demo. It's a song that grows on you, but the clips in the bridge are a minute too long and could be a place for an epic solo, which drops the song to mediocre.
This I Love: Boring Axl singing over piano and strings. Snore-fest with no pay-off.
Prostitute: I like this song. It doesn't sound substantially different than it always did but with more unnecessary guitar over the piano verses. The separation between the rock choruses and piano stuff is what made this song work so well and putting a single random guitar in there doesn't help whatsoever.
Shackler's: Remixed to be less in your face and fit in better with the album. Seems to be a different mix than even RB. The first version that leaked of this song basically ripped your ears out with how in your face the guitars were. Sounds like an impression of Rob Zombie.
Better: We've heard it. Changes benefit the song. Lots of electronics taken out.
Street of Dreams: Obvious pro-tools edit of Ron Thal's guitar into the track. He seems to come in already having played the chord. :lol Having heard the original versions kind of ruins a good song, becuase you notice how distracting the new guitars and strings are.
If the World: Lots of weird changes, especially around 2:00 mark, a completely strange unexpected effect going on.
There Was a Time: Substantially unchanged other than some stronger guitars.
Catcher in the Rye: This reminds me very strongly of the UYI song Yesterdays to me.
Scraped: Actually sounds somewhat like GN'R, but that intro is so cringe worthy I dont' know if everyone will get to the song. It really is that bad. It's Axl singing with himself in this really weird layered thing. The actual song is rocking Appetite sounding stuff. Delete the intro and get Axl to rasp the entire song and not do that whiny Hetfield thing on parts of the verse and it's a great song, not a good one.
Riad N' the Bedouins: Bad song, changes to the intro don't fix that. It's a lame riff and vaguely rocking song with a rip-off of Immigrant Song.
Sorry: This song is a lame Pink Floyd ripoff. It's a swirly, weirdo song that sounds like Floyd with Axl singing.
IRS: Great song, but, they came very close to ruining this song with the mix. Went from a great post GN'R-Axl track to a very distracting mess. Axl's vocals have gone down and while there are more of them, the rhythm guitars dont' kick in with any punch, it's like they're just there.
Madagascar: I almost don't hear any difference on this song from the demo. It's a song that grows on you, but the clips in the bridge are a minute too long and could be a place for an epic solo, which drops the song to mediocre.
This I Love: Boring Axl singing over piano and strings. Snore-fest with no pay-off.
Prostitute: I like this song. It doesn't sound substantially different than it always did but with more unnecessary guitar over the piano verses. The separation between the rock choruses and piano stuff is what made this song work so well and putting a single random guitar in there doesn't help whatsoever.
3 1/2 stars of 5. Would be more if there was less songs that ripoff other artists.
Buckethead
Banned
Angry Grimace said:
Everyone is entitled to an opinion, but I challenge your opinion. Very strongly challenge it.
"There is nothing new under the sun". It's ridiculous to claim this album is unoriginal.
You know why Appetite for Destruction was good? Because it melted AC/DC with Aerosmith and Thin Lizzy but put a fresh, new spin on the situation.
There are roots and origins in everything not just Guns N' Roses.
"Rocket Queen" sounds like something from mid-period Queen. So is that song a ripoff too? What about Zeppelin that clearly drew from many blues artists? Are they amateur ripoffs?
Or what about Van Morrison, Velvet Underground, or the handful of other acts that influenced pretty much every great rock band to come?
This isn't even mentioning that Chris Pitman's synth/strings contribution is very modern and that there's some incredible string arrangements by Marco Beltrami and Paul Buckmaster. That's not a luxury that very many have....
Your a silly, silly sally.
T.M. MacReady
NO ONE DENIES MEMBER
Buckethead said:
"If you take away our right to steal ideas, where are they gonna come from!?"
I'm only halfway through CD now, and I love it so far.
Angry Grimace
Two cannibals are eating a clown. One turns to the other and says "does something taste funny to you?"
?Buckethead said:
Seriously, call off your dogs. I don't need a lesson in music history. And Appetite for Destruction was good because it had Sweet Child O Mine, Paradise City, Welcome to the Jungle and Mr. Brownstone on it.
I actually thought the first 10 songs released were 4 out of 5 stars, but the new material is too hit and miss to maintain that rating, i.e. Scraped is a barnstomper minus the (completely deletable) intro and some warbly-ness on Axl's voice. Sorry is actually not horrible, it just sounds too much like a tribute, or Axl's cover of a PF song. Catcher in the Rye doesn't do much, just like Yesterdays is just medicore for me. This I Love blows.
How about I say on an "A-F" scale it's a "B"...I wasn't trying to sound as negative as you've obviously perceived it. It's not a great album. It's a good album, but has questionable choices, and a (arguably) questionable production.
I_D
Member
Can't say I'm overly impressed with the album.
Before I get eaten alive, lemme try to explain...
The songs aren't bad (well, some of them are).
It's just.... they don't really sound like GnR.... at all.
Some of the songs are quite heavy, and some of them are quite soft. There's no real... edge.
It's kinda hard to explain.
They simply don't sound like GnR.
Before I get eaten alive, lemme try to explain...
The songs aren't bad (well, some of them are).
It's just.... they don't really sound like GnR.... at all.
Some of the songs are quite heavy, and some of them are quite soft. There's no real... edge.
It's kinda hard to explain.
They simply don't sound like GnR.
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