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By the time you read this it will have been more than a month since the release of the eternally awaited Chinese Democracy, the fifth studio album from the legendary Guns N’ Roses. So has it been worth the wait? Does it live up to the anticipation? Does Axl Rose still have it? Well, I […]

Jan 19, 2009

By the time you read this it will have been more than a month since the release of the eternally awaited Chinese Democracy, the fifth studio album from the legendary Guns N’ Roses. So has it been worth the wait? Does it live up to the anticipation? Does Axl Rose still have it? Well, I would say yes, yes, and yes. There are a few reasons for this. Firstly, from a musical point of view it retains the signature G N’ R sound we all so love. Secondly, from a songwriting point of view, the intensity of the compositions is maintained without rehashing past memories of material. And thirdly, Axl is still as angry and pissed off as ever, which is a good thing. The 14 strong songs go through the various arcs, from emotional ups and downs of relationships to the state of world at large. The album has garnered favourable reviews across the board but will not be very popular among the kids; it’s only for G N’ R fans like me that the album will hold any resonance. The amazing thing is how Axl has maintained the G N’ R sound without the original band and yet given it a different sounding edge. I have a strong feeling Axl will reform the band with the original members soon. Slash will be back and hopefully so will the others. But if and when that happens, I hope it won’t be another 14-year wait, for who knows, by then we might really witness Chinese democracy or even a free Tibet!

The Killers killed G N’ R on the charts. The new album Day and Age displaced Chinese Democracy to claim the number one spot on release. The third album comes across as the most playful from what we have heard of the band so far. I enjoy Brandon Flowers’ songwriting, which has that slight 80’s synth-pop recall. In fact the lead single, ”˜Human’ is very reminiscent of ”˜Read My Mind’. The sweeping synths, the uplifting chorus, the choppy rhythm”¦ look out for dance versions coming to your local discotheque very soon. All in all, another enjoyable romp from the funsters.

This year has been phenomenal for debuting female singer-songwriters and we have seen a crasy amount come out. Santogold, Kate Nash, Katy Perry, Amy Macdonald, Beth Rowley, Laura Marling, Sara Bareiiles and now Adele. All of 19 years, Adele Laurie Blue Adkins hails from Tottenham in North London and calls her music “heartbroken soul.” And listening to the album play out, her voice flowing through my ears awoke reminiscences of singers like Etta James, Nina Simone, etc. Songs like ”˜Crasy For You,’ ”˜Right As Rain,’ and the hit single, ”˜Chasing Pavements’ bring out the pain in her soulful songwriting. She’s nominated for four Grammies this year including Best New Artist and in all probability she’ll get it. Do check out her version of Bob Dylan’s ”˜To Make You Feel My Love.’ Sublime.

Well, the phenomenon doesn’t end there. The 21st century queen of pop is back and what a return! From her slow meltdown of the past two or three years to this year’s return to form, Britney Spears is back ”“ sexy, raunchy and ”˜Stronger Than Yesterday’. I have always been a follower of pop music regardless of age ”“ mine, that is ”“ and like it or not, Britney has been one of the most successful forces in popular culture ever. Even Madonna had the hots for her! Circus is a return to the Oops!… I Did It Again era via the Blackout phase ”“ catchy, straight up pop beats with every chorus sinking its hooks into you with lightning speed. Right from the opening track, ”˜Womaniser’ she launches in to a straight up attack and doesn’t let up”¦ really! The album has 19 songs! So if you’re a true blue Britney fan (which you secretly are) you can enjoy this Circus.

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