After scoring one of the biggest exclusive deals in music retailing in a long while– or at least since Wal Mart snagged the exclusive for the new AC/DC opus “Black Ice” earlier this year– Best Buy began selling the long awaited new recording by Guns n’ Roses, “Chinese Democracy,” on Sunday.
But stepping down the escalator at the chain’s Chelsea story in New York City on Sunday, when a more than 17 year wait for original Guns n Roses material ended, it would have been easy to walk by the modest display box with the Chinese Democracy CDs and vinyl LP’s. There were few other signs of CDs being available, and the store was not blasting it on the P.A. system as a record store would have back in the old days.
It was a far cry from the scenes in 1991, when fans waited in long lines outside record stores in cities around the world for the band’s “Use Your Illusion” two-CD set.
But then again, 1991 was a long time before iTunes, Apple’s online music store, made its debut. While Best Buy has the exclusive on “Chinese Democracy” in actual stores, the 14-song set is available on iTunes too, unlike the AC/DC record which can only be bought at Wal-Mart stores (and to accommodate Wal-Mart free New York City, at MTV’s store in Times Square.)
And for all the quiet at the Chelsea store on Sunday afternoon, the new Guns n Roses is a clear early hit, with iTunes on Monday morning ranking it the #1 album in the U.S.
Either way, we’ll know how well the CD did both online and at Best Buy next week, when Billboard reports its debut on the record charts.
(Photo/Reuters)
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10 comments so far
This is a very good album that should be part of everyones collection.
There are a few weak tracks on the CD but knowing Axl, he probably planned it that way just to remind people that he really is not immortal:)
- Posted by W MyersHe sounds like a cat in half of the songs. A few are good, but they were probably written in the 90’s. Without duff, izzy and slash, the sound is just not there. It took what 3 or 4 guitarists to copy what slash has done, and it is not even close. Maybe this will bring the reunion.
- Posted by johnAnd lets not forget to add ADLER for the reunion.
- Posted by johnThis is without a doubt a very good album. It took a long time to come out, but i am certianly glad it saw the light of day. To the people who never stop going on about slash etc. Shut the hell up and get over it. Anyway, The only member of the band that cant be replaced is Axl Rose. Axl is Guns N’ Roses. Guitars and drums can be replicated, but you cant replace a unique voice like Axl’s. I wish they wouldve kept the name “The Blues” and not “Street of Dreams”
Best songs are:
- Posted by JohnChinese Democracy
Better
Street of Dreams
If the World
There was a time
IRS
Madagascar
I love that comment from John saying it takes 4 guitarist to copy slash and not even close ..hahah what a dweeb..its probably because the new guitarist are not copying or trying to sound like slash..slash wasnt the band ..listen to snake pit or velvet revolver and you can see slash cant write a decent song..but listen to chinese democracy and axl can write a whole cd full of great songs..its not 1990 its 2008 live in the future and not the past..and guns and roses is defintely living in the future..
- Posted by Harryyeah the songs might be ok to some people- i dont really for them, but yeah i can see how some think they’re good. but whatever the case no one can say this is Gn’r, it just isn’t….whatever. I want the originals back together, it’s the only way they will ever make music that compares or comes even close to appetite, lies, or illusions…
- Posted by anonymousI think it is great the album is finally out. Their live era CD is still amazing after all these years. I still have to pick this CD up still.
- Posted by mikeThis album is over produced hot trash. Screw Axl Rose for giving Best Buy the exclusive and basically giving all the record retailers that fueled his ego and wallet the finger.
- Posted by asstacklerTo all the whiners.If you really wanna get picky It really hasnt been Guns n Roses since Traci Guns left..SO THERE !! Without Axl voice you`ll never sound like guns and roses .He`s the sound of the band..This is G
- Posted by MikeMan, what a bunch of self-righteous babble on here. They put together an album, it is their expression of art. You can like it, you can hate it; bottom line, keep it to yourself — we do not care. The people especially on here ranting and raving the album is not good need to go and (yes overused saying) get a life.
- Posted by Earth Ling