Not to knock Axl, I personally don't consider CD as being part of the original GnR album catalogue.  This is a new era.  Really unrelated to the 1987-1991 heyday (I don't count TSI because Izzy wasn't there and it's nothing but covers).  In my mind this is "Guns n Roses Mach II."  Kind of like when Joe Strummer fired Mick Jones and continued with The Clash.  Everyone calls that second lineup "The Clash II."  Or comparing the Roger Waters led Pink Floyd era to the David Gilmour one.  Don't get me wrong, I think it's fine Axl calls this new group Guns n Roses.  (Duff, Slash and Izzy don't seem to give a shit anymore so why should I) but I sleep better thinking of this group as a separate entity from the classic lineup. 

The reason CD is NOT a true GnR record is because of what it's missing:  Slash's dangerous guitar solos and hardcore riffing.  Duff's relentless bass and rough backup vocals.  Izzy's blues swagger and street smart lyrics.  Steven's simple yet powerful drumming.  That whole Aerosmith mixed with AC/DC feel that slowly started to evaporate on the Illusion discs.  I personally miss Axl singing about getting laid and high.  But he's older now and ever since 1991 he's had his artistic sights set on creating another Dark Side of the Moon or Sgt Pepper.  Instead of just putting out cool rock n roll albums like Izzy and Velvet Revolver have done. 

Chinese Democracy in my view is just a great Axl Rose solo album.  A damn good one IMO.  And while there's elements that are similar to the classic GnR albums from 2 decades ago, this is a totally different beast entirely.  How could Axl sound like GnR when he's the only one left?  Ever wondered why Paul, George, John and Ringo all sound average on their solo albums but were awesome as The Beatles?  No one member can create that classic Beatles sound on their own.