Chinese Democracy | ||||
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Studio album by Guns N' Roses | ||||
Released | November 23, 2008 | |||
Recorded | 1997–2007 | |||
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Length | 71:18 | |||
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Guns N' Roses chronology | ||||
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Singles from Chinese Democracy | ||||
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Professional ratings | |
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Review scores | |
Source | Rating |
AllMusic | |
The A.V. Club | A– |
The Guardian | |
Mojo | |
MSN Music | B+ |
Pitchfork | 5.8/10 |
Q | |
Rolling Stone | |
Slant Magazine | |
Spin | 7/10 |
Chinese Democracy is the sixth studio album by American hard rock band Guns N' Roses. It was released on November 23, 2008, by Geffen Records. The album was the band's first studio album since "The Spaghetti Incident?" in November 1993, and their first album of original studio material since the simultaneous releases of Use Your Illusion I and II in September 1991. Although it debuted at number three on the Billboard 200 and was certified Platinum by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA), Chinese Democracy domestically undersold expectations. It received generally favorable reviews from music critics. The album achieved international chart success and has sold over one million copies in Europe.
In 1994, Guns N' Roses' progress on a follow-up to "The Spaghetti Incident?" was halted due to creative differences between members of the band. Slash, Duff McKagan, Matt Sorum, and Gilby Clarke all resigned or were fired from the band in the mid-1990s. Lead singer Axl Rose and keyboardist Dizzy Reed were the only members from the previous lineup remaining by the time production had started. A new lineup, consisting of Rose, Reed, guitarists Robin Finck and Paul Tobias, bassist Tommy Stinson, drummer Josh Freese, and keyboardist Chris Pitman began working on the album in 1997. Initially intended to be released in 1999 or 2000, the album was re-recorded completely in 2000. The album was worked on by multiple lineups of the band, including later members Bryan Mantia, Buckethead, Richard Fortus, Ron "Bumblefoot" Thal, and Frank Ferrer. Personnel and legal reasons, as well as Rose's alleged perfectionism, caused the album to be delayed multiple times. The album missed an announced March 2007 release date, before being released in November 2008. With production costs reportedly eclipsing $13 million, the album is the most expensive rock album ever produced.