Chinese Democracy

Madagascar drifted away from Africa, evolved on its own, and something like 80% of its plant and animal species can only be found there. This entire island is a rare bird.

Just like Axl Rose.

The toll has been 13 years, $14 million, and all his original bandmates, but Axl Rose will finally release the album Chinese Democracy on November 28th.

The music world has come full circle since Guns 'N Roses last ruled the earth. With the rise of video games like Guitar Hero and the Rock Band series, Axl once again has relevance. In a keen marketing move, the single "Shackler's Revenge" premiered within Rock Band II in September.

In fact, many of the songs have already premiered. "Chinese Democracy", the title track, is already the number one downloaded song on iTunes. Other tracks have been kicking around for years.

"Madagascar", the song Axl played at the 2002 MTV Music Awards, is already my favorite on the album. It reminds me of "Estranged", a song that in 1991 Axl called his baby.

Guns 'N Roses has a lot of great rock 'n roll songs that will remain part of the soundtrack of my youth.

But if Axl wants to deliver relevance, zeitgeist, I think he is at his best-- most artistically honest-- when he comes from the most out-there, most estranged place.

I want to know how it feels to lose your illusion and grip on the world in such a grandiose way-- only to make it back up for air 15 years later. This is the story I want to hear. Like a modern-day Odyseus. Like Major-Tom from deep space.

There must be something to learn from these tragic figures.

He's seen enough, is a big enough freak, and I believe, talented enough-- to perhaps make the definitive statement about our tragic era.

Then again, that might be as impossible as Chinese Democracy.