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Long-Awaited Guns N’ Roses Album ‘Chinese Democracy’ A Hit

I’m not sure how many copies of this new album will sell. I also do not know where it it will end up on the charts, but this album is already a hit with me. The new album landed on Best Buy store shelves yesterday and it has also been made available by the group on MySpace, where it is said to have broken records there for number of listeners.

To be honest, I’m not even a Guns N’ Roses fan and I don’t have any of their albums. However, any album that attracts negative comments from the oppressive Communist government of China deserves accolades in my book.

With news of the release of Chinese Democracy, the government of China apparently felt the need to respond.

An article in a government-controlled publication called the Global Times used the headline: “American band releases album venomously attacking China.” It then went on to say that, “unidentified Chinese Internet users had described the album as part of a plot by some in the West to grasp and control the world using democracy as a pawn.”

I think I know which Chinese internet users they are talking about. The ones with the drab-looking green uniforms and the matching caps with the red star on them. You know, like the ones driving the tanks in this picture.

It’s not surprising to hear an oppressive government like the one on China talk about democracy that way. It’s not a word that’s particularly popular with the leaders in that part of the world since it threatens their power and control of the citizenry.

The good news is that there are probably many Chinese citizens who will get to hear Chinese Democracy since file sharing and pirating of DVD disks and music CDs is quite popular in that country.

Although sharing music by way of file sharing networks and copying of CDs can be a touchy subject, I’d be curious to hear what the guys that recorded the album think of that activity where China is concerned.

It’s doubtful that the government would ever allow an album entitled Chinese Democracy be distributed in that country, so I’d have to say that I’m in favor of Chinese rock fans getting their hands on this album by any means available. It seems unlikely that it will be taking any money from the pockets of the artists or the music industry in this case.

Gee, do you think this post will be enough to get my site blocked by the famed “Great Firewall of China?” I’d have to say I would consider it an honor.

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Tags: Album, Chinese Democracy, Government, Guns N Roses, Release

New Live DVD Set Coming From Rush

Not all that long ago, Canadian rock trio Rush wrapped up their Snakes & Arrows tour, and headed home for a well-deserved break from the road. That does not mean that group is done making news, however.

Announced yesterday on the group’s official website was word that a brand-new 3-disk DVD set is in the works, and is set for release on November 25th by Zoë Vision/Anthem Entertainment. Snakes & Arrows Live sounds like a DVD set that no serious Rush fan will want to be without.

Filmed with 21 high-definition cameras in full 16:9 wide screen format, and available on Blu-Ray DVD, the featured concert footage was shot during two nights of the group’s show at the Netherlands’ Ahoy Rotterdam arena during October, 2007. There is also some additional footage in standard-definition that was filmed in Atlanta just a couple of months ago during July.

In addition to the performance footage that one can normally expect with a set like this, there are some extra features that showcase “the still emerging comedic talents of both Alex and Geddy who excel (and revel) in their roles as wild characters,” according to the press release on the group’s website.

Collector’s quality packaging will enclose this new DVD set, and also offers a choice of Dolby Digital 5.1 Surround Sound or PCM Stereo for a superior audio experience. It was mixed by frequent collaborator Richard Chycki (who has also worked with Aerosmith and Mick Jagger). The total running time for the set is a little over 3 and-a-half hours, which should provide a very satisfying dose of Rush for their dedicated fans.

The track list for this set is as follows:

Disk 1:

1. Limelight
2. Digital Man
3. Entre Nous
4. Mission
5. Freewill
6. The Main Monkey Business
7. The Larger Bowl
8. Secret Touch
9. Circumstances
10. Between the Wheels
11. Dreamline

Extras:

1. What’s Thats Smell (DVD Content)
2. 2007 Tour Outtakes
3. What’s That Smell Outtakes
4. Far Cry (Alternate cut featuring rear screen footage)
5. The Way the Wind Blows (Alternate cut featuring rear screen footage)
6. Red Sector A from the R30 Tour

Disk 2:

1. Far Cry
2. Workin’ Them Angels
3. Armour and Sword
4. Spindrift
5. The Way the Wind Blows
6. Subdivisions
7. Natural Science
8. Witch Hunt
9. Malignant Narcissism - De Slagwerker
10. Hope
11. Distant Early Warning
12. The Spirit of Radio
13. Tom Sawyer

Encore:

1. One Little Passage
2. A Passage to Bangkok
3. YYZ

Disk 3:

Oh, Atlanta - The Authorized Bootlegs

1. Ghost of a Chance
2. Red Barchetta
3. The Trees
4. 2112/The Temples of Syrinx

Tags: DVD, Release, Rush, Snakes & Arrows Live

Rock Band Offering Entire Rush Album For Download

I don’t think that I have been able to comb through my usual sources of classic rock news lately without coming across at least one story about these new video games like "Guitar Hero" and "Rock Band."

The games have become wildly popular, and although some bemoan the possibility that the games end up discouraging kids from playing a real instrument, others applaud the revival of interest in rock music that these games probably deserve a lot of credit for.

I prefer to side with the more optimistic camp, and agree that keeping a whole generation of music alive for a new generation of fans is a good thing. In fact, I think it may even contribute to the inspiration of young people who have a genuine desire to learn to play a real instrument.

I think what we are seeing now are millions of kids who otherwise never would have considered learning how to play a real instrument picking up these plastic replica instruments for some fun, just as they would with any other video game. Those who really want to rock, will put down the plastic guitar and start saving money for a real guitar, or perhaps hope that one appears beneath the Christmas Tree.

The latest news from the creators of the "Rock Band" series of video games is that they will be making available an entire album of music from Canadian rock trio Rush available for download to game consoles. The classic Rush album Moving Pictures will be available to download for about $11, with individual songs from the album available separately for about $2.

As for the band, they seem fully on board with the concept of these new games, since they see them as an avenue that can be used to expose their music to a new generation. I’m not going to pretend that Rush is not raking in some cash from a deal like this, but of all the groups I can think of, I doubt that the guys from Rush would be the type that would embrace something that they believe might discourage young people who otherwise would have taken on the task of learning to play an actual instrument.

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You also have to remember that with 40 gold and platinum records to their credit, I seriously doubt that these three guys really need the money they will make from these video game releases.

I say keep these games coming, and with decades worth of music to draw upon, there seems to be a lot of room to keep kids rockin’ for a good long time, as long as the makers of these games are able to keep them fresh with new innovations and improvements.

I seriously doubt that "Rock Band" and "Guitar Hero" are a threat to the development of any potential Geddy Lees or Alex Lifesons of the future. Let the kids rock on with their plastic guitars, because I am reasonably certain that the ones with the genuine passion for making music will soon trade their toys for the real thing.

Tags: Album, Moving Pictures, Release, Rock Band, Rush

Guns N’ Roses To Release Album That’s Been Delayed Fourteen Years?

You’ve got to admit that 14 years is a long time to work on an album. But where this particular story is concerned, perhaps there is a political element that has been holding its release back.

Guns N’ Roses album is entitled Chinese Democracy, which surely seems to leave the impression that the album’s content may have some elements of activism mixed with the music. I’m sure that I’d be hard pressed to find an American citizen who does not think democracy in The People’s Republic of China is not a good idea, but I suppose that some pressure from people in high places could be the reason behind the long delay in this case. After all, we sure do a lot of business with China these days. Just check out the shelves at your local retailer.

News of a possible impending release of Chinese Democracy certainly comes at an opportune time with the Summer Olympic Games in full swing in Beijing. What better time to make a political statement regarding a push for democracy in the world’s largest and most powerful remaining Communist country?

Talks are reportedly underway that may bring Chinese Democracy out of the shadows and onto store shelves through one of those exclusive deals that seem to be getting so popular these days. Wal-Mart and Best Buy are mentioned as possible partners in this release, but sources say that there is also the possibility of a deal with a record company as well.

Tracks from the album have already been leaked on the internet, so there are probably more than a few fans that have heard the entire album by now.

I don’t know how many metal fans there are in China, but I suspect they’ll be hard pressed to get their hands on this particular album when it is released. The government will no doubt classify it as "dangerous" and say that it interferes with China’s internal affairs, just like they say about everything else that has to do with giving human beings rights that they should be granted from the beginning.

There are always ways to get around the barriers erected by dictatorial regimes, so assuming that there are metal fans in China, I suspect a few of them will find a way to land a copy of Chinese Democracy in one form or another. Who knows? Maybe it might even help fuel the desire for more freedom that we all know exists in the hearts and minds of a whole lot of people living in that country.

Tags: Chinese Democracy, Guns N Roses, Release

Springsteen’s Magic Tour Highlights Coming on July 15

Embracing the age of digital music distribution, Columbia Records will be releasing Bruce Springsteen and the E Street Band’s Magic Tour Highlights on July 15. It will be available via digital download stores, including the iTunes Store. The release will consist of four audio tracks with four accompanying videos, all recorded live in concert during the group’s Magic tour.

Mastered by Bob Ludwig  and mixed by Bob Clearmountain, the effort also involved Emmy Award-winning film editor Thom Zimny, who has worked with Springsteen in the past.

In a gesture of support for the Danny Federici Melanoma Fund, all songwriters, artists and publishers are forgoing their royalties. In addition, Columbia Records is donating all of its net profits to the fund, and the iTunes Store is donating their first year’s net profits as well.

Tracks included on Magic Tour Highlights:

1. "Always A Friend" (performed with Alejandro Escovedo)
Recording Date: 04/14/2008 (Houston, Texas)

2. "The Ghost of Tom Joad" (performed with Tom Morello)
Recording Date: 04/07/2008 (Anaheim, California)

3. "Turn Turn Turn" (performed with Roger McGuinn)
Recording Date: 04/23/2008 (Orlando, Florida)

4. "4th Of July, Asbury Park (Sandy)" (Danny Federici’s final performance with the E Street Band)
Recording Date: 03/20/2008 (Indianapolis, Indiana)

Tags: Bruce Springsteen, Danny Federici Melanoma Fund, Magic Tour Highlights, Release