Chinese Democracy second-worst GNR record; as a figure of speech, it is shorthand for the grandest of boondoggles." Hyden wrote that the album had served as a lesson for acts who took years to release "comeback" albums, demonstrating the perils of allowing backstory to overshadow the work and failing to provide a familiar product. He compared "Chinese Democracy" to subsequent, successful comeback albums by acts including Daft Punk, David Bowie, Justin Timberlake and My Bloody Valentine, which were "more modest" and offered "well-trod musical territory associated with each artist". "Far Out" saw the album as anachronistic; where Rose had once commanded "loyal
Chinese Democracy million in damages against Geffen for the unauthorized use of the samples. In May 2010, Azoff's company Front Line Management sued Rose over unpaid concert fees. Shortly afterwards, Rose filed a $5 million counter-lawsuit against Azoff claiming Azoff had "sabotaged" the release of "Chinese Democracy", among other issues. The suit claimed Azoff had "purposefully spoiled the "Chinese Democracy" album art, botched a sales deal with Best Buy, and even leaked songs online". The lawsuit was settled in 2011. "Chinese Democracy" is banned in the People's Republic of China because of perceived criticism in its title track of the Chinese government