New Alice in Chains

The new Alice in Chains single (A Looking In View) is up for free download via their website.

First thoughts:

• Sean Kinney's drumming sounds way more prominent and this is definitely a good thing (if I didn't know any better I'd say he's improved a lot too)
• The song is a long mid-tempo number which really draws on Jerry Cantrell's ability to make mid-tempo groovers hit much harder than you would expect
  
• The vocal harmonies are AWESOME and continue that particular AIC trademark very, very effectively
• The guitars sounds a lot fuller than in older AIC material

If the new album sounds anywhere near this good, I will be impressed.

Chinese Democracy

I am actually physically holding a copy. Who would've thought?

Aside from my complaint that this should really be known as "The Axl Rose Band", it doesn't sound too bad at all from the three songs I've heard so far.

It's a bit unfortunate that the 'new' GnR have become one of those bands that are apparently cool to dislike without question (Metallica's "Death Magnetic" got some pretty unwarranted flaming for the same reason). Axl Rose is still a pretty good songwriter, and a very unique vocalist - even if he is a bit of an egomaniac.