Guns N' Roses - Better
Published Wednesday, 21st January, 2009 at 9:08 PM
US release date: 17th November 2008
UK release date: 2nd February 2009
Written by David Adair
Download: Amazon (UK) Amazon (US)
Buy CD: Amazon (US) Amazon (UK)
It received more publicity than the final of Strictly Come Dancing, unfortunately Guns N' Roses first album since 1991, 'Chinese Democracy', also managed to come across as forced and clichéd as a Bruce Forsyth quip.
This single 'Better', bears out some of the flaws of this supposed rejuvenation. Building from a disjointed, atmospherically implanted beginning, it relies too much on hollow, spiralling 70's riffs and Axl's tiring glam-skirting vocal approach that was showing signs of tiring in 1991.
Unfortunately, Metallica B-side status would be a compliment rather than a put down for this incongruous offering. For many, it was just enough for 'Chinese Democracy' to be out there, but patience will surely wane as they use snippets from it like 'Better', to keep it in lunchtime conversations at officer, school, pub or university.

