Billboard.com!!!

[newgnr]

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.

oh please Axl, flip the switch TODAY!!!!!

[AxlReznor]

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....

There is no site under construction... I repeat, no site under construction!

[JuicySwoos]

The article seems to imply that a release date "needs" to be announced, and it doesn't mention a "surprise" release. ?What if the final product was delivered before the start of the tour, that would then make a November release possible?

[stardustonmyfeet]

flip the switch, axl

[dman1991]

this could be somethin

[AxlReznor]

The article seems to imply that a release date "needs" to be announced

This is what the sane people here have been saying all along.

[Randy Jesus]

http://billboard.com/bbcom/ask_bb/index.jsp

Here you go

[Bartlet]

The article seems to imply that a release date "needs" to be announced, and it doesn't mention a "surprise" release. ?What if the final product was delivered before the start of the tour, that would then make a November release possible?

Yep. And therefore, if there is any flipping of switches to be done it will have been done by now, we just dont no bout it yet.

[Randy Jesus]

This guy is assuming a lot of stuff. Everything could be made already and doesn't have to go through the process that he described.

[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....

There is no site under construction... I repeat, no site under construction!

Ok...I admit I am extremely pished....please ignore my post

But until the end of December none of us truely knows that the album is/isn't coming out this year

[Z]

Oh well, that was fun while it lasted.


Flip the switch

[guns_n_motley]

This guy is assuming a lot of stuff. Everything could be made already and doesn't have to go through the process that he described.

I would guess everything is done and they are waiting until when to drop it..

[Bartlet]

The article seems to imply that a release date "needs" to be announced

This is what the sane people here have been saying all along.

So most of the "sane" people are blind then. many people with experience of the industry have explained on this board, time and time again, why a "surprise" release is possible, if tricky. but certainly possible.

[dman1991]

is that seriously all it is? it still says under construction when i do it.

[yourfinalanswer]

quick question for everyone - http://bbstage.vnuemedia.net/ - where is this gonna go?

Cus this link is different that was just posted? 

http://billboard.com/bbcom/ask_bb/index.jsp

And those look like 2 distinctly different links to me - not some URL error.  Great - now it's got me speculating. 

[Randy Jesus]

I could have done the same thing as this idiot and called it the greatest all know all response ever... This guy has no clue to what has taken place or not... just assuming a lot of bull shit...

[dman1991]

when you click on the one before that says interact, it takes you right to it, still says under construction on the gnr one.

[Backslash]

quick question for everyone - http://bbstage.vnuemedia.net/ - where is this gonna go?

Cus this link is different that was just posted? 

http://billboard.com/bbcom/ask_bb/index.jsp

And those look like 2 distinctly different links to me - not some URL error.  Great - now it's got me speculating. 

The first URL is where billboard sends you when you click an invalid link.  It just looks like when they put the Flash stuff on there, they didn't link it properly.

[dman1991]

whos to say the switch hasnt already been flipped, why would this guy know if its allegedly a suprise release.

[Bartlet]

whos to say the switch hasnt already been flipped, why would this guy know if its allegedly a suprise release.

the word being given behind the scenes bares no relation to whether it will be a surpsise release. we masy be told a release date soon, or we may not. either way, the decision could well already be made. lets face it, there isnt much time for a big build up now.