Guns N' Roses boast a catalog filled with era-defining rock albums, but one project has always stood apart.
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And not always for the right reasons.
Five of the band's six studio albums arrived between 1987 and 1993. The outlier came much later, with 2008's Chinese Democracy.
It marked a major shift for the band, not just in sound. But because it featured none of the classic line-up aside from frontman Axl Rose.
Guns N' Roses Keyboardist Defends 'Chinese Democracy'
For years, many fans have dismissed Chinese Democracy, questioning whether it truly belongs alongside the band's iconic releases.
Longtime keyboardist Dizzy Reed has pushed back against that narrative. He has offered a strong defense of the divisive album.
During a recent appearance on Dean Delray's Let There Be Talk podcast, Reed urged critics to give the record another chance.
"For those who don't quite understand it, you know what? You should probably listen to it a couple more times because you'll probably start to get it when you do," he said, via Loudwire.
"There's a lot of information in that record. You can't hear it all in one sitting, it's impossible. The human brain can't comprehend it. But when you do, you start to appreciate it. And most of, if not all of my musician friends love it. They think it's an amazing record."
Reed also reflected on the intense recording process behind the album, revealing the band worked "five, six days a week" and often continued through the night.
A Decade-Long Process and Record-Breaking Costs
Chinese Democracy is well-known for its lengthy and complicated development. The project spanned nearly a decade, from 1998 through to its eventual release in November 2008.
It also became one of the most expensive albums ever produced. Reports suggest costs exceeded $13 million.
That figure still ranks among the highest in music history, second only to Michael Jackson's Invincible, which reportedly cost between $30 million and $40 million.
Despite the challenges, the album debuted at No. 3 on the Billboard 200 and was later certified platinum.
Its rollout was equally unusual. The album was released exclusively through Best Buy and was banned in China due to the lyrics on its lead single, the title track.
Since then, Guns N' Roses have returned closer to their roots. Original members Slash and Duff McKagan rejoined the band in 2016, with the group touring extensively ever since.
Reed, meanwhile, has remained a constant presence, having first joined the band in 1990 following the release of their first two albums.
