On the heels of doing an online chat over the weekend, Axl Rose issued an open letter to address his retention of the name and giving his side of the story with regards to other lineups and how they interacted.
Most interesting aspects concern his using the name Guns N' Roses. He writes:

"When Guns renegotiated our contract with Geffen I had the bit about the name added in as protection for myself as I had come up with the name and then originally started the band with it. It had more to do with management than the band as our then manager was always tryin’ to convince someone they should fire me. As I had stopped speaking with him he sensed his days were numbered and was bending any ear he could along with attempting to sell our renegotiation out for a personal payday from Geffen. It was added to the contract and everyone signed off on it. It wasn’t hidden in fine print.
"Now at that time I didn’t know or think about brand names or corporate value etc. All I knew is that I came in with the name and from day one everyone had agreed to it being mine should we break up and now it was in writing.
"I didn’t make a solo record. A solo record would be completely different than this and probably much more instrumental. I made a Guns record with the right people who were the only people who really wanted to help me try, were qualified and capable while enduring the public abuse for years . The songs were chosen by everyone involved. I didn’t want to do This I love in anyway shape or form and Robin and Caram insisted gaining Tommy’s and the others support.
"The name is something I take great pride in as I feel anyone who’s been a part of it should, the same as other bands or teams etc. The burden when it is such is a nightmare but not as much or as hopeless as I’d imagine without it could have been.
"Keeping the band name alive was very important. Not out of ego and I don’t know exactly why in the sense of putting into words but I think it has something to do with the global effect it has and how Guns surviving in some way is sometimes inspiring to others around the world and in that there’s a sense of obligation."
The entire letter is after the jump.

'Chinese Democracy' (Interscope), the first album of original tracks from Guns N’ Roses since 1991, debuted tonight on the band's MySpace page.

Axl Rose-fronted band has already released two tracks off 'Chinese' to radio - the album's title track, as well as 'Better,' in the last few weeks. But last night was the first time the entire album was available for streaming - well, legally, at least. Album is due out Sunday, Nov. 23, and will be available exclusively at Best Buy.

G N' R fans have grown up - there is a lot of pressure on 'Democracy' to hold up to previous efforts. Will it exceed older fans' expectations? Will the band be able to entice new fans? Variety.com staffers Don Davis, Liz Miller and Stuart Oldham impart their wisdom in this track-by-track review:

1. Chinese Democracy

DON: Classic, infectious pop rock track, reminiscent of old school G N' R - you could call this 'Welcome to the Jungle' light. Track is perched at number 5 after three weeks on Billboard's Mainstream Rock chart. Given G N' R has only had one number one hit ('Sweet Child O Mine' on the Billboard Hot 100 in 1988) in their decades-spanning career, this would seem the likely candidate to be their second #1 hit - and it certainly deserves it - by far the album's high point.

LIZ: Weird intro, and are those voices actually saying "ching-chong"?  But that is one killer guitar riff to kick things off. It's like they're cramming an album's worth of rocking into just this song's bridge.

STUART: Album kicks off with some weird Chinese banter before ripping into title-track, "Chinese Democracy." You've probably heard it on the radio. Sleezy guitar riff over Axl's howls. Definitely stripclub material. Oh well, it's good to hear Axl's voice again.

2. Shackler's Revenge

DON: Slash's guitar mastery was one of the reasons the band became huge back in the late '80s - he does not disappoint in this track that begs for head-banging. [ED. NOTE: Dude, Slash and Axl haven't spoken in years. That was Buckethead.] 'Appetite for Destruction' was, hands down, my teen angst album of choice - after a fight with parents, doors were slamming, G N' R was blaring. This would be the modern 'angst' track for me.

LIZ: Initially reminds me a lot of Alice Cooper's "Feed My Frankenstein."  I'm not sure if that's a good thing or a bad thing. But I like the key changes for the chorus. 

STUART: Opens like a rough and clubby Korn ensemble, which isn't a good thing. In fact--I'm not very fond of this song at all. Modern-rock martini, anyone?

3. Better

DON: Classic G N' R power ballad. One of the standout tracks on the album - shows a completely different side of the band. Incorporates the power rock anthemics and Axl's power vocals G N' R is known for, mixed with electro underscoring.

LIZ: I guess this is what a Guns N' Roses ballad sounds like? I'm kind of unimpressed. Sounds a little bit like it was written to play over the credits of "Spider-Man 4."

STUART: Catchy, muffled guitar riff with wammy and then more wammy. Not a bad angle although very reminiscient of Linkin Park. Axl's vocals are raspy and commanding on "Better" but it's still a clusterfuck. Likely single #2.

4. Street Of Dreams

DON: Most definitely 'Democracy's' answer to 'Sweet Child O Mine' - showcases a raw, more emotionally charged Axl Rose. While track doesn't exhibit the same sweeping melodrama of 'Child,' it most definitely has universal multi-format crossover potential.

LIZ: Oh, okay, THIS is what a Guns N' Roses ballad sounds like. I actually like this one a lot -- great mellow pace that makes the classic rock sound work. Closest song so far to the classic G N' R I'm familiar with.

STUART: Honky-tonk piano ballad. Not great. Axl delivers his first primal scream of the album, which is pretty cool even though the song's shiite. Almost sounds like Axl singing a Phish track and then trying to shoot it up with guns. Oh, I get it! Guns AND Roses! ;)

5. If The World

DON: At first listen: Wow! A whole new side to G N' R. This track could easily qualify as loungetronica - smooth, jazzy, chilled, electro-infused track underscored by rocky guitar...one of their most original sounding tracks to date. Gonna listen again right now...

LIZ: This is the first song on the album that sounds like it was written in the last five years, and the modern touch really works. Really like the finger-picking towards the end. A little too long, though -- so far the other songs have seemed tighter.   

STUART: WTF? Axl singing Motown? Sounds like Christina Aguilera with a back-up metal band. Blah. I need to put down my headphones for a minute.

6. There Was a Time

DON: Epic orchestral backdrop, sweeping violins - solid power ballad.

LIZ: There is some insane shifting between different tones and paces happening here, but the aural chaos of it is pretty interesting. Kind of a patchwork quilt of chords that goes someplace pretty sweet in the end. My favorite so far.

STUART: A choir starts singing but you know something nasty lurks around the corner. Kinda like a Lil Wayne intro. The layout is similar to "If the World": hip-hop beats under a dirty guitar. I could see a pissed off Axl walking down the street with his NFL jersey and ginger dreads to this one.

7. Catcher N' the Rye

DON: Showcases a more mature, chilled out Axl Rose in this melody-driven future hit.

LIZ: Very power-ballad-y, which is fun, but the literary name throws me off. When I think of J.D. Salinger, background singers chanting "nah nah nah" is not what comes to mind.

STUART: Classic book so I'm a little more receptive. The track's catcher, I mean catchier, too. (Har Har) A bit nostalgic in its southern roots. Not bad. I'll pour one out for ya, Axl.

8. Scraped

DON: Classic Guns N' Roses rock track here. Not bad at all, but not a stand out.

LIZ: I wish I was wearing ripped jeans while listening to this song. Definitely rocks the hardest of the tracks so far.  Ends really abruptly, though. 

STUART: Wah. Axl shrieks cause he's "scraped." Another distorted ho-hummer (good stripclub music...AGAIN)

9. Riad N' The Bedouins

DON: Kicks off with a techno-infused, hard-driving throbbing base, underscored by raging guitar and laucnhes into classic Guns rock. Somewhat reminiscent of mid-'90s Stone Temple Pilots. This song is one of the reasons G N' R will survive in the new millennium.

LIZ: The second song with a long atmospheric lead-in, but picks up the pace a lot faster than "Chinese Democracy."  A little bit more-of-the-same, though. 

STUART: The chorus, I'll admit, is poppy and warm but ENOUGH with the standard "CD" metal riffs. Where in the world is Slash when you need him? Oh yeah, he's on tour...with "Guitar Hero."

10. Sorry

DON: Axl channels Pink Floyd in this moody rock ballad written to someone who 'wants to hurt him.' Slash [ED. NOTE: ibid.] solo the star of this track without a doubt.

LIZ: Is this song about saying sorry or hoping that someone says sorry to you?  Oh, it's about FEELING sorry for someone.  Way too long and for the most part pretty dreary. But the bridge is great -- emotional and beautifully played.

STUART: Twangy guitar and echo'ing Axl noises. Sounds different... FINALLY. "I'm sorry for you. You're sorry for me" Axl sings over and over. I don't mind this song. I just wish there was a tad more variety (no pun intended).

11. I.R.S.

DON: Another solid track - but in a singles-driven medium this wouldn't be my recommendation for the next release.

LIZ: Musically, a really catchy chorus. Lyrically, it's hard to pick out exactly what we're singing about here, but my best guess is that it's not exactly in favor of bureaucratic institutions. 

STUART: Axl takes on the government. Again, a hip-hop beat, albeit more laid back with acoustics and a Santana-ish lead. "Gonna call the president. Gonna call the private eye. Gonna get the I.R.S. Gonna name myself the F.B.I."

12. Madagascar

DON: A more relaxed and introspective Axl surfaces here - this could easily show up in A&R formats soon.

LIZ: When I think "Guns N Roses," I definitely don't think "horns section."  But while the first real use of synthesizers feels a little out of step with the rest of the album, I like it a lot as a change of pace, especially as we get closer to the end. Another one with a more modern feel. Becomes a completely different song halfway through, but it's an interesting shift -- though there's something odd about hearing Martin Luther King's "I Have A Dream" in this context.

STUART: French Revolutionary horns open up this anthem. Sounds like 'Les Miserable' or Bjork. And again with the stringy hip-hop (I guess he's validating his baggy pants and football jerseys) Not gonna lie tho--Axl sounds good here; older, a little wiser. I just wish he had more to say. Martin Luther King samples make their way in half-way through. Overall, "Madagascar" sounds like "All Along the Watchtower" and "Civil War's" love child, albeit stillborn.

13. This I Love

DON: A reminder of how Axl Rose has one of the most unique voices in rock history - he showcases the full spectrum of his abilities in 'Love.'

LIZ: An actual love song! And a sweet one. The duet between piano and electric guitar has an offbeat but romantic feel. 

STUART: "So if you ask me why. She wouldn't say goodbye" Axl sings on the piano ballad "This I Love." Very theatrical and melodramatic. Meh.

14. Prostitute

DON: So infectious, rock radio should eat up this powerful anthem. Overall, 'Democracy' showcases a mature, more chilled out Guns N' Roses and secures their survival in the new millennium. A solid listen from start to finish. Mall rats unite!

LIZ: I would not have expected a song with this title to start off so perky and poppy. There's a note of finality that works, and having gained a greater understanding of the GNR sound over the course of the past hour I can see exactly where this fits in. Plus, the segue from big dramatic finish to sweet closing notes is actually pretty beautiful. A very mature conclusion.   

STUART: Upbeat and poppy. Again, Christina Aguilera-ish with the lamenting and the rock n' roll strings. I can't believe this is the closer. Then again, it's "Chinese Democracy."

Related News: Click here to check out Variety's Guns N' Roses photo gallery