Concerns of the album's release date from a music store employee

[EstrangedReality]

Not to beat a dead horse, I know people have been bitching about whether it'll be out for real or not this year. I've been totally stoked and when people said the album wasn't coming this year, there was always the successful tour to fall back on. People said it's another 2002, but there was always the fact that, hey, they aren't canceling... But now after only eight shows they are. Knowing Axl's behavior, I doubt it has to do with pyro limitations. Someone on another website claims Axl was pissed that there weren't enough tickets sold, and as a result refused to play for a minimal crowd.

I think he only has himself to blame - he maybe felt a surge of confidence because of strong overseas ticket sales, but that's Europe. He should have learned from 2002 that America is different and he can't rely upon the name alone to tour. They need an album to promote or mainstream America won't be turning out like the Europeans did.

My concern is that, as an employee at a music store, I know it's impossible for an album to drop and not give stores a month's notice at least. ESPECIALLY around Christmas. At our store we have a music catalog system which is universal and is updated months in advance of when an album is going to be released. For example, we have all new releases listed up through early 2007, and those that are undetermined have a listed release date of "2025," but this means they are confirmed as upcoming  releases without a solid date. CD doesn't even have a 2025 release date, which means it hasn't even been verified as an upcoming release. One would imagine if they want to keep the exact date a surprise, Merck still would have at least confirmed the album 100% for release this year. The fact that it's not even listed at all is hardly reassuring.

The thing is, you can't drop an album with a week's notice. The reason we have album releases dates up through Feb 07 is because stores require advance notice. Shelving and promotions are scheduled. You can't announce an album a week in advance - there will be no room for the album in stores and it will get shelved somewhere where it isn't even visible. And the new releases won't be shelved under Guns N' Roses because you can't fit more than a few albums under an artist header card - stores don't devote an entire wall just to GN'R. So they're going to get stuck with three copies of Chinese Democracy under the GN'R section and the rest will be in overstock.

Everything was going great, but first the thing with the website happened. They promised video, it wasn't delivered, and then they just completely removed it. And there haven't been any significant updates in weeks, save one, which was swiftly deleted for no explanatory reason. It doesn't look too good when the official website fails to deliver promised material, the band cancels a show for curious reasons, and - as trollish as this sounds - they honestly aren't selling out tickets as expected. There's no album confirmed yet and we're nearing the middle of the month already. We have a month and a half left before the end of the year, and if they're going to release it this year it's almost guaranteed that they would do so before Christmas, which really just gives us mid-November through early-December. If this is happening stores will have to receive notice I'd say within the next week - or else stores will refuse to carry stock, and those that do agree to last-minute stock will have no room for the album and multiple copies will be shoved into overstock.

I just thought I'd add a different perspective to this. I want you all to know every day at work I search our catalog database for Chinese Democracy. It's not just connected to our store, it's basically a universal database powered by AllMusicGuide, so it's completely up-to-date. We don't have GN'R scheduled on any print-out sheets for the end-of-the-year promotion - other albums are already reserved spots on the floor and New Release shelves.

I always search for CD in the hopes that, one day, it will be listed. But as every day passes, from a realistic standpoint it becomes less...well...realistic.

[hackvresse]

My concern is that, as an employee at a music store, I know it's impossible for an album to drop and not give stores a month's notice at least. ESPECIALLY around Christmas. At our store we have a music catalog system which is universal and is updated months in advance of when an album is going to be released. For example, we have all new releases listed up through early 2007, and those that are undetermined have a listed release date of "2025," but this means they are confirmed as upcoming  releases without a solid date. CD doesn't even have a 2025 release date, which means it hasn't even been verified as an upcoming release. One would imagine if they want to keep the exact date a surprise, Merck still would have at least confirmed the album 100% for release this year. The fact that it's not even listed at all is hardly reassuring.

The thing is, you can't drop an album with a week's notice. The reason we have album releases dates up through Feb 07 is because stores require advance notice. Shelving and promotions are scheduled. You can't announce an album a week in advance - there will be no room for the album in stores and it will get shelved somewhere where it isn't even visible. And the new releases won't be shelved under Guns N' Roses because you can't fit more than a few albums under an artist header card - stores don't devote an entire wall just to GN'R. So they're going to get stuck with three copies of Chinese Democracy under the GN'R section and the rest will be in overstock.

that what I think and that is why CD will not be released this year, it is just not possible. let's be realistic..

[EstrangedReality]

I'll give you all another quick example. I'm a big fan of Tom Waits. His album is coming out November 21st in the US (rumored release date for CD).

We've had it listed for preorder with full details, cover art and technical credits for the past two months or so in our system. It leaked onto the Internet a week ago, has been listed on Amazon.com for months and there are full details on it there, also. Waits already released full previews for the album AND three tracks were officially released last month as samples.

We have it scheduled to be shelved under the Waits section in our store and to have numerous copies filed on the New Releases display.

CD hasn't even been confirmed yet. If it's out ANY time in November (21st or not), how are we supposed to - as a store - make room for it last minute?

We'd have to re-do the New Releases, move everything around, create new floor plans in relation to the albums, update our database, update our ordering system, update our scanners which tell us where the albums are located in the store, etc., etc., etc.

I'm sorry, but as each day passes it's becoming more fantasy.

I hope to God it's out this year, I really do. But I'm becoming doubtful for the first time in many years.

[axlschild]

Last week i was getting tattooed and my tatooist best mate came in, he owns the local independant record store where i live. so i though this was my chance to get some info on releases. he said they get stuff turn up out of the blue. they can get a box of cd's with a press release attched stating day for the cd to be sold. it's not unknown for products to turn up on a friday afternoon that are to be released the following monday.
maybe it works differntly for you hmv's /virgins etc but why should they get more info than any other store selling cd.
just what i got from this guy anyway....


 

[GNRfan2008]

Yep, you're presenting a very realistic situation. Thanks for doing so. The media backlash, even if it comes out in 2007, will be insane. Seriously, they already hate Axl in the first place. I'm sure a lot of diehards would never forgive/trust him again either, even if it comes out in '07. He's said numerous times this year that '06 is the year and Merck has confirmed it a couple of times as well lately. Their credibility is already in the dumps with the public, and it will be essentially ZERO if this album does not come out this year (even if it's the last Tuesday of the year they'll still be keeping their promise).

[EstrangedReality]

Last week i was getting tattooed and my tatooist best mate came in, he owns the local independant record store where i live. so i though this was my chance to get some info on releases. he said they get stuff turn up out of the blue. they can get a box of cd's with a press release attched stating day for the cd to be sold. it's not unknown for products to turn up on a friday afternoon that are to be released the following monday.
maybe it works differntly for you hmv's /virgins etc but why should they get more info than any other store selling cd.
just what i got from this guy anyway....


 

Hmm, all I can offer is that perhaps if he runs an independent record store he is not as corporate and therefore can individually make room for albums. If he gets in a shipment he can do whatever because he's his own boss. Furthermore, if he's getting in non-mainstream records - e.g. self-produced albums by artists, or regional albums from local bands - it's not uncommon for stuff like that. We get in unexpected shipments, too, sometimes; but when you have a NEW RELEASE you still have to have that album in your store's system or there will be nowhere for it to go. If CD is in the store's system they can get a random shipment on Friday morning for it to be shelved Monday, but if it's not listed in the system THEN there's a problem.

Also, if this guy literally means he just gets new releases in randomly with little notice, it may BE because it's an independent store and they are not a priority. In the mainstream it doesn't work like that. The major sources for albums - Amazon, HMV, Virgin Megastore, Borders, Barnes & Noble, iTunes, etc. - are given releases well in advance.

[EstrangedReality]

Yep, you're presenting a very realistic situation. Thanks for doing so. The media backlash, even if it comes out in 2007, will be insane. Seriously, they already hate Axl in the first place. I'm sure a lot of diehards would never forgive/trust him again either, even if it comes out in '07. He's said numerous times this year that '06 is the year and Merck has confirmed it a couple of times as well lately. Their credibility is already in the dumps with the public, and it will be essentially ZERO if this album does not come out this year (even if it's the last Tuesday of the year they'll still be keeping their promise).

This canceled show is going to hurt them more than they might think, NOT because it's necessarily a disgrace (although I think they could have sacrified their pyro for one evening for the sake of the many fans who had purchased tickets), but because - and I'm wondering at this point whether Axl/Merck understand this - every time you cancel a show, or fail to deliver a promise (such as website material or an album), you are lowering people's confidence.

When the Euro tour started I had no reason to doubt them. It was a clean slate in my mind, and they didn't get into anything except for the whole arrest incident - and even then, they sacrified Axl's ego (he apologized) in order to meet their agenda. When Axl was sick he played a full set and only left at the last song. That was all well and good and helped rebuild a lot of faith in the band which had been crippled by 2002 cancellations.

But now this. It's not a matter of whether we should consider it terrible or not - it's a matter of realizing that to the outside world it's going to be misconstrued as another GN'R let-down, and a lot of people are going to instinctively lower their faith in the band's promise that the album will be released this year.

A single being dropped right now would help immensely.

Right now, I'm just fearing the critical backlash that Axl and co. are going to receive for tonight's canceled show. It's going to be a playground for the haters, and it has the potential to really destroy the band at this point.

[Where is Hassan Nasrallah ?]

hey we can do our own music video  (Still no links to the leaks - Skeba)
maybe we can do our own album ?


come on guys
chill out.
there are a lot of things to worry about beside cd.
lets just enjoy the music we have, the concerts, and when cd comes, cd comes. no big deal.
2007 is fine with me


on the "technical/timing" issues.
i usually want to hope and dream that they have a secret plan, in terms of marketing / promotion? / delivering the album.
but i just realuze they are just not interested in the classical way the industry works.
good for them.

[Jizzo]

a cd can be announced and released within days. alot of bands do it all the time on 2 week notice

[NicoRourke]

he said they get stuff turn up out of the blue.

Same here, I was asking that to my local store here in Brussels. It's kind of a little shop that sells only RN'R records, but he said that sometimes they get boxes with records that weren't announced, along with a PR regarding the artist.

Or, in they database, a record can sort of 'pop-up' out of nowhere ...

[The General]

I dont understand this cause there have newer been an official announcement that it would come out in 2006?.

The only things that has been said is:

Axl: You will here music this year (it could be a singel or anything)

Merck: There are bla bla tuesday left in 2006 (does that mean that a album come out this year?)

The new gunsnroses.com is a very good and simple site, that keeps you updated on the tings that are important.

[Duffio]

I'll give you all another quick example. I'm a big fan of Tom Waits. His album is coming out November 21st in the US (rumored release date for CD).

We've had it listed for preorder with full details, cover art and technical credits for the past two months or so in our system. It leaked onto the Internet a week ago, has been listed on Amazon.com for months and there are full details on it there, also. Waits already released full previews for the album AND three tracks were officially released last month as samples.

We have it scheduled to be shelved under the Waits section in our store and to have numerous copies filed on the New Releases display.

CD hasn't even been confirmed yet. If it's out ANY time in November (21st or not), how are we supposed to - as a store - make room for it last minute?

We'd have to re-do the New Releases, move everything around, create new floor plans in relation to the albums, update our database, update our ordering system, update our scanners which tell us where the albums are located in the store, etc., etc., etc.

I'm sorry, but as each day passes it's becoming more fantasy.

I hope to God it's out this year, I really do. But I'm becoming doubtful for the first time in many years.

That can be done within aweek.. but I understand what you're saying.. who knows??

[Slashead]

- as trollish as this sounds - they honestly aren't selling out tickets as expected.

It doesn't sound trollish. It's just the truth. They aren't in Europe anymore.

Thanks for your great post. Let's wait and see what happens...

[slunksoma]

There is also the idea that the stores DO know about it and they just arent putting it up for "public" display (by which i mean inputting it on the system for YOU to see )

[whiny]

if it's 2007 then we have at least to wait till march...

[TOPGUNner]

I work at a music store as well, and I check our system every day for any new Guns and Roses info and there's not. Even if Axl wanted to album to just "show up" music stores would need to put the UPC in their system to sell it. So I can't see this album dropping with out some sort of information about when it will come out.

[Meanmachine22]

Either ther is a huge mystic masterplan that is involving basicly every record dealer on planet earth ( meaning that  no "normal" employee gets to know anything) or CD will not drop this year...
What abot this: Eminem also has a new cd in the next weeks, right? I think the amount of cd's that will be placed in the stores will be equal to the amount that will be placed for Guns ...
What "IF" they just say Eminems album will be released on xxxxxx and instead thy 'll drop CD and the Eminem album close before christmas?

ahh forget it.. just a dumb thought

[Six Strings]

Expect anything from GN'R and Axl. Hold on, we'll see...

 

[ben9785]

Expect anything from GN'R and Axl. Hold on, we'll see...

 

Yeah. I mean if they went as far as feature a RS article with Merck confirming that "it could drop on any tuesday", it seems pretty definite, at least that they've got something in the works. And if this is due to change, again, considering this information has been printed in a large scale publication from an official source, they really need to put some sort of statement out if there are any changes to this schedule.

I posted a new thread..'in light of.........', i was hoping it would get some answers from a band source to try to ease all this negativity down and stuff like that

[CAFC Nick]

If theres a 'two-week notice', something should pop up today.