Billboard.com!!!

[yourfinalanswer]

Whoa - check out billboard.com - watch the Flash at the top!!!  5th screen fade in. 

[Mandy.]

Cool... But I clicked "Read More" and the page is under construction...

[Back Off Bitch]

Yeah...

[guns_n_motley]

Cool... But I clicked "Read More" and the page is under construction...

what is it, I dont see anything

[jimb0]

yeah no tiki no laundry

[yourfinalanswer]

just went up - saw the link broken too.

[Will]

http://bbstage.vnuemedia.net/

Great...lol Can't believe such a big site like billboard.com would link to an "Under Construction" page on their homepage...I mean, it's not 1998 anymore, people are paid to make sure such things don't happen anymore...It's just an "Ask Billboard" section anyway, so I don't think it's anything groundbreaking.

[axlrosegnr]

lol, figures that anything related in any way to chinese democracy always says "coming soon"

[ben9785]

what have you seen? i cant see any flash thing relating to GNR

[axl2]

i dont know what ppl are seeing

[AxlReznor]

Go onto Interact at the top, then click Ask Billboard... you'll find this...

Hi Keith,

Both Axl Rose and his management have promised the long-delayed Guns N' Roses album "Chinese Democracy" will be released by the end of 2006.

Considering that it's the middle of November, is this still possible? How far in advance do retailers need in order to have product on their shelves? Every retailer I've contacted has said it's not "in the system" as having a release date this year.

Thanks!

Dan Elsenrath
Duluth, Minn.


Hi Dan,

Not surprisingly, "Chinese Democracy" still does not have a release date set yet... at least, not one that has been announced, or placed on Universal Music Group Distribution's release schedule.

But, let's pretend that Axl Rose and his management keep that promise of releasing the album before the end of the year. Can it physically be done? I consulted with Ed Christman, our Retail Editor, and he gave me a lot of insight.

If the album is complete and mastered and the album artwork has been completed, then the set could conceivably be manufactured and shipped to retailers within a month. Of course, a digital release could come even swifter - but I doubt that an album with such a high profile would opt to go the digital-only route.

So, even though the album's release date hasn't been announced, there is still a glimmer of hope that it could -- in theory -- see store shelves before the close of the year. (Though at this point, it's looking like it will come out the very last week of December at the earliest.)

Earlier this year, to compare, Neil Young rush released his "Living with War" album in three weeks time. His record label, Reprise, received the finished album in mid-April and was able to manufacture and ship the set to retailers in time for a May 8 release date. The significant difference here is that Young's album had a smaller initial shipment -- under 200,000.

Because of the small initial shipment, it didn't require as much time to manufacture and ship the album.

With a Guns N' Roses title, you can expect that the initial shipment would easily surpass 500,000. With that many CDs needing to be pressed and shipped, it would take longer to produce. Still, if Rose decided to flip the switch today, "Chinese Democracy" could still make a late December release.

[guns_n_motley]

ya, I still dont see anything, what is it...

[yourfinalanswer]

Nothing yet - same dead link - it was just updated - ?but when stuff shows up on that spot on billboard it's usually a good sign. ?We shall see.

[axl2]

K seen it now. had the GNR symbol and ask here or something

[ben9785]

hmm.. thanks for the note

[Z]

It's just an "Ask Billboard" section anyway, so I don't think it's anything groundbreaking.

I think it is very significant that Billboard is setting up a section for questions on a cd that does not have an announced release date yet.

Another sign the announcement or release is around the corner, IMO.

[polluxlm]

Kinda like they're trying to haul us back from our graves of despair. We'll know a few things by the 21th.

[AxlReznor]

It's just an "Ask Billboard" section anyway, so I don't think it's anything groundbreaking.

I think it is very significant that Billboard is setting up a section for questions on a cd that does not have an announced release date yet.

Another sign the announcement or release is around the corner, IMO.

That section has always been there, and you can ask questions about anything music-related. ?Someone asked if it could still be released this year... and they gave an answer.

[yourfinalanswer]

Isn't the harley ad rumored to drop this weekend? ?Guess everyone will know whether or not November is happening in the next 10 days.

[Thorne]

It really must be a positive thing that Billboard currently have a sight under construction dedicated to GNR CD...something's happening people....whether it will be seen all the way through is another matter...

It seems there are plans that we do not know of....