Chinese Democracy and “Chinese Democracy”
In 1989, the Chinese government opened fire on groups of protesting students in a large square in Beijing, killing thousands. That same year, Guns'n'Roses was the most popular rock band in the United States after releasing their classic album, Appetite for Destruction. Two years later, the Soviet Union collapsed and several ex-Communist states established nominal democracies. Observers wondered whether China would follow suit.
Guns'n'Roses that year completed a double album ("Use Your Illusion I" and "Use Your Illusion II", released separately) and began work on an album titled "Chinese Democracy".
Years passed. The Chinese state grew stronger as more people escaped poverty. Guns'n'Roses eventually split up. Axl Rose, the iconic vocalist of the group, resumed work on the album alone.
Political scientists debated whether there would ever be Chinese democracy. Some pointed to factors such as the growth of the middle-class, the rise in international travel, and the increased use of the Internet as reasons to expect China to democratize. Others were skeptical.
Music critics, simultaneously, debated whether there would ever be "Chinese Democracy". Some pointed to factors such as Axl Rose's television appearances, concerts, and the ever-revolving door of studio musicians as signs that the album would soon appear. Others were skeptical.
Now it is November 2008. Chinese democracy still hasn't arrived. Most now believe it won't for awhile. But "Chinese Democracy" has. So far, critical reaction has been tepid; the album doesn't appear to be worth the 17-year wait.
Ones hopes that when Chinese democracy arrives, it'll be better received than "Chinese Democracy".
November 28th, 2008 - 07:48
Matt,
I wonder where the following comes from, straight from the propaganda mouthpiece of the US government, Voice of America, Radio Free Asia etc.?
“In 1989, the Chinese government opened fire on groups of protesting students in a large square in Beijing, killing thousands.”
Just so you know, most credible eye witness accounts indicate the killing ground being along Chang’an Avenue, not Tiananmen Square. Also, even the less credible sources affiliated with Minyun did not claim “thousands” were killed. I believe that figure is between 200 and 1500.
As to Chinese democracy, whether, when and how it is going to arrive, is completely up to the Chinese and the Chinese only.
November 28th, 2008 - 11:29
Pfeffer,
Your comment exasperates me. Does it really matter whether most of the deaths occurred on Chang’an Avenue (directly adjacent to the square, incidentally) or inside the square itself? Or over the exact number of people thought to have died? Really. The point I made was that a bunch of people died in Beijing in 1989.
And where in the post did I make a normative comment about Chinese democracy?
Please- if you’re going to comment here, think before you click “post”.
December 7th, 2008 - 11:40
Let’s change this thread to a more relevant topic: Chinese Democracy
My brother (a die hard 80′s hair band enthusiast) picked up a copy and I gave it a decent listen. I must say, the album is not bad, some good vocals, good piano playing to accompany the vocals, and a few catchy tracks. It’s a good (not great) album. It’s just not a Guns n’ Roses album. More like solo Axl Rose. Maybe if it was Slash and Axl, you could call it “Guns ‘n Roses” but for now it’s just an Axl solo album.