So after years of the project getting pushed back, Guns N’ Roses FINALLY released there new album, Chinese Democracy. This is the first album released since lead guitarist, Slash, left the band. I had a chance to listen to some of the album, and I must say…major disappointment.

Seems like Guns N’ Roses just isn’t Guns N’ Roses anymore. Slash’s absence seems to take away from the unique sound, and Axel’s voice just doesn’t seem to be what we all grew to love. Perhaps its due to his throat operation…or maybe he just can’t hack it anymore…in any case, this just doesn’t feel right. The only songs worth listening to are the ones featuring Buckethead as the guitarist. Yet, even with Buckethead’s spectacular riffs and solos…in the end, it just doesn’t scream: Guns N’ Roses.

Now, don’t get me wrong…the album is not bad. In fact, I quite enjoy the songs…as long as I force myself to forget that I’m listening to GNR. If they changed the name of the band to anything else, I probably would appreciate the songs a hell of a lot more. The songs are in fact good strong rock songs. It’s just hard to enjoy when you’re connecting them to the legendary past of the band.