There's a precident for overlapping and contradictory statements about this album, with different band members placing CD at different stages of development. I don't see why Fortus' statement is such a big deal. It's perfectly reasonable to assume that some tracks have been mastered while others aren't yet complete. Additionally, they are bound to create "final mixes" of a number of tracks which don't even make it onto the album. Axl could be recording backing vocals for finished track #53, or the primary vocals for track #1, we have no way of knowing. ? But, given the tidbits of information we've over the last year ?from various people affiliated with the band we can extrapolate that at least some tracks are finished while others are still in progress.
Now, with manufacturing and distribution being pretty speedy processes these days, in the best case scenario all we're waiting for is Axl to hand over a selection of tracks to the label. Clearly, few people here have faith that we're in a "best case" scenario right now. So, what is the worst case scenario at this point? In my opinion, based on the information we have, with the instrumental tracks finished a while ago the only problems that could be holding the album back are those related to Axl's satisfaction with the end product. I propose that the worst case scenario is that Axl is either unhappy with his voice, unhappy with the mixing, or both, combined with trying to mix for dual-disc format. ? I'll go point-to-point on this:
1) I think it's quite likely that Axl would want to opt for dual-disc, it seems to fit his M.O. - I believe that Axl would want his "comeback" release to be as up-to-date and cutting-edge as his tastes dictate. Obviously, that would mean a hell of a lot more time in the mixing booth.
2) The album has been a veritable "revolving door" as regards producers, engineers, and the like. ?I think this is because Axl has decided that he is the final arbiter as to whether a track is "finished" and "sounds good", and all of these other people who have been involved over the years were brought in to allow ?Axl to achieve specific goals. It's been an ecclectic mix of people, which suggests that they were each employed to accomplish different things, rather than a series of replacements. With that in mind, I think it's likely that the mixing/mastering process could be quite drawn-out if the tracks aren't sounding like Axl wants them to. I can imagine that, without Axl being around to offer his input at all times, "mistakes" will be made in deviating from from his ideals - leading to much re-doing.
3) Axl's voice. I think he sounds great these days, especially on the leaked IRS demo - it's powerful and rangey. However, Axl's view of it is all about confidence. How often has he stormed off-stage in the past because of little mistakes? His own mistakes, the band's, the sound engineer's? How many live recordings have instances of Axl getting annoyed about the sound monitors because he can't hear himself properly? How many times have GNR (all line-ups) taken to the stage late, alledgedly because Axl had to spend large amounts of time getting psyched up for his performance? Now, Axl's voice is his instrument and his means of expression, I accept his right to protect and nurture it in any way he chooses, but from a practical p.o.v. his exacting need for "perfection" (taken to mean; his need for circumstances and results to be consistant with, and conductive to, feeding Axl's confidence in his own performance ) could clearly become very time consuming in the studio, moreso than a live performance where positive feedback is instantaneous.
In conclusion, I think the situation is somewhere between the two extremes, an "acceptable case scenario," if you like. I can see that the three factors mentioned above could contribute to a lengthy wait for CD going forward, but as the vocal recording and track mastering processes have been underway for over a year according to ?various members of the band I believe that the finishing line is genuinely in sight now. Whether that means we'll have CD by the end of the year is arguable, but I don't see any evidence of that being impossible. Regardless, Axl could continue to record and tweak and mix and master until October or November and still have the album on the shelves by Christmas, so until we get word on the progress of the album from a reputable source (are there any of those left?) any predictions about release dates are pure speculation. ?
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excellent post
i agree, and I cant stress enough how I think the mixing stage of this is going to be very lengthy
last minute vocals etc.. can be added at this stage, but when you're wading through hundreds if not thousands of tracks recorded over this very long period, it is going to be very time consuming
we know from the New York Times article earlier this year that there is a library of archives to go through, so piecing this baby together (mixing and to a lesser extent, mastering) is going to take an age and could well be the main factor in it being held up. Throw an obsessive, perfectionist into the mix and thats obviously not going to speed the process up any either
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