“Chinese Democracy” Forces People, Political Parties To Have Opinions
Chinese Democracy has been out for a day-plus now, and the reactions have been rolling in from all around the globe! Here’s a sampling of what some non-music critics out there think about Axl Rose’s magnum opus:
The Communist Party Of China: The Party-published tabloid Global Times printed a piece today entitled “American Band Releases Album Viciously Attacking China” that accused Axl Rose of being a pawn of the U.S. government who was helping Washington use the idea of democracy as “one of their game pieces to control the world.” The WSJ is quick to note, however, that this piece technically doesn’t constitute any sort of official smackdown of Axl: “The tabloid format newspaper is published by the Communist Party’s official mouthpiece, the People’s Daily, but isn’t thought to always represent official views, like its parent operation and certain other major media.” And there’s even a site geared toward Chinese audiences that is streaming the whole thing for free, although I’m pretty sure it’s unsanctioned by any Axl or any government entity. [WSJ China Journal]
Reactions from other notables and semi-notables, including Duff McKagan, after the jump!
Duff McKagan: “I’m sure there’s probably amazing stuff on there, just know there. I’ve only got that one song and a listen at a gym to go off, so I can’t really say that much about it. But how do I feel about it? Good for him that this record’s finally coming out. Obviously, I wish him the best. I’m glad that people that have been waiting for this record have something to finally go get.” He then goes on to talk about Shiny Toy Guns and how he has no attention span for music these days. (I hear you, dude. I hear you. Although maybe you might want to try and listen to a band that isn’t Shiny Toy Guns, just to make sure your feeling isn’t borne in part by their not-very-goodness?) [Blabbermouth]
Jimmy Iovine, Interscope-Geffen-A&M chairman: “Axl delivered a great Guns N’ Roses album. Period. He did. It took him a long time for whatever reasons. I am sure there were many different reasons. Bottom line is, he did it. It’s hard to say if something is worth the wait, because how the hell do any of us know? I judge it based on what it is. Does it sound better than 99% of the rock records out there? Yes. I’m just thrilled for him.” One thing to note: This interview was conducted before first-day sales totals came in. [Billboard]
Hinder: “I heard the stuff that was leaked, and I know the mixes weren’t there, but, being musicians, you can hear through that stuff—you still hear the songs, and to be honest, the songs just aren’t there,” drummer Cody Hanson told MTV. “It almost sounds too artsy; there’s something about it. It’s not what it was. It’s just missing something, and it sounds overproduced…. I guess that’s what happens whenever you’ve got 20 years to sit in the studio.” And when you’ve lost Hinder, you’ve lost… uh, how many people bought Take It To The Limit again? Oh, right. Carry on. [MTV]
Warrior Soul: “Chinese Democracy has everything a Warrior Soul fan should expect from a Warrior Soul record,” the agit-rock band’s bassist proclaimed. “It has an ear for an argument, puke on its shoes and remains untouched by trends or the long-arm of the corporations.” You might be just as confused as I am by this quote (Best Buy is still sorta corporate, right?)–until you realize that the Chinese Democracy in question is actually Warrior Soul’s new album of the same name. Well, I guess since the Offspring never went through with their album-naming joke, someone had to. [Blabbermouth]
