Jimmy Iovine is one of the most on hands exec in the music industry...the guy listens to everything his bands produce and at times he has a heavy hand in deciding the final track list.? When a high profile artist like GNR is readying a new album, he will guaranteed listen to the whole thing.? Especially after sinking millions of dollars into the recording there is no way he going to go on blind faith with Axl.?
The 6 songs he's heard are IRS, Better, TWAT, Catcher, Chinese Democracy, and probably either Madagascar or Blues.? These are the same songs, we've already heard in one form or another.? If there are other songs out there...then where are they and why is Axl only playing the leaked songs on tour?? My feeling is there are no other songs.? Axl is just trying to buy time until he records more.
The fact that Iovine has only heard 6 songs is not a good sign.? With licensing, clearence, production, promotion and legal BS, an album can take 3 - 6 months to get to the CD shelves.? All albums coming out this year have already been sent to their labels to ready for release.? If GNR's album isn't there...it's not going to be a 2006 release.
In 2002, Axl promised us an album..."very soon."? If "very soon" in Axl means 4 more years...then "this year" means at least an additional 6 months.
I predict...August 2007.
The album is done. ?
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