Chinese Democracy - A Review

As I said yesterday, this might be the last release ever that I get this excited for.

The kind of release where I refuse to listen to the leaked version. The kind of release where I want the actual CD, with the actual booklet, and the actual artwork handy while I listen to it.

I distinctly remember buying the GNR Lies cassette at the Granite Run Mall, and rushing home to listen to it. I remember looking at the liner notes as I listened. Though I enjoy the technology of having music being instant and portable, there's certainly a part of me that misses that process.

So I guess that's what I was trying to recapture yesterday. I can't imagine another release that would create the anticipation (from me at least) that Chinese Democracy did. A band that if they had stayed together, almost certainly would have been more important to me than Metallica.

So I decided even though the album leaked on Tuesday, I would not listen to it. I would wait for my CD copy, which arrived yesterday. I even tried to forget the fact that of the 14 songs on the record, I've heard versions of 8 of the songs already due to previous leaks. I put that aside. I put it all aside, and sat down on my couch, with the booklet, to listen.

Unfortunately, that's where this review stops. I don't really know what to write, because I don't entirely know what I think. I guess there are times where I can listen to an album once and know what I think of it. To be truthful though, I've always been amazed at album reviews that come at one full listen, if that. Some of my favorite albums, I haven't liked until I've had for months.

So, I don't know what I think. I know there are songs I liked. I know there are songs I didn't love. I know, or I think I know that I like the album. But I'm not sure. Plus, I have the new Killers and David Cook albums to listen to as well.

I'll give the album more listens over the weekend, and be back with a real review on Monday. I know you'll be on the edge of your seat.