There may be some evolution to the song structure, but I was referring to the mastering, the mixing, (especially) the vocals, etc. - Not even close.

Just to clarify, this big-assed bar slut plays dirty rock 'n' roll riffs that drip sex and balls, right?

One thing that I can't get over is all people that are saying "These are basically finished versions! Put the album out!". It couldn't be any clearer that these are unfinished demos from at least five years ago. The only ones that could possibly be passed off as finished tracks are "Better", "Chinese Democracy", and "Message for You". I mean, Axl's taken 17 years between studio albums. Does anyone really think that the final product's going to sound less produced than "Contraband"?

I've always wondered about the possibility of an Axl autobiography. I'm sure it'd turn out to be a great read. He's always spoken his mind, and, unlike other people, his story's stayed consistent. You have to think it'd be pretty insightful.

"The General" as a harder-hitting sequel to "Estranged" is an interesting concept. But I won't let my expectations get out of hand for a song that I may not hear any time soon.

I have to say though, Baz is better with PR than Goldstein and Merk combined.

As cool as it is to call Axl a "fucking idiot", at least half of those 2001-2002 songs were set to go on "Chinese Democracy", and, after waiting so many years to hear Axl's uncompromised vision, the last thing that I needed was 1/4 of the finished album scrapped and given away early just because some of the diehards couldn't handle the wait. Heh.

As for the actual topic, I appreciate outside the box thinking, but, much like the "Just put it in stores unannounced on some random Tuesday!" idea, I think it's better in concept than reality. The Radiohead and Nine Inch Nails experiments have been moderately successful at best, and, if Axl and Universal are going to take a financial hit, it'd be better to do it on one of the later albums. The first album's going to be under an incredible microscope from the beginning. It doesn't need to be put into a (probable) can't-win situation like that. If "The Slip" had been Trent's first album since "The Downward Spiral", I doubt he would have done it either. And this is *Chinese Democracy* for God's sake.

I voted "Riyadh". Someone has to balance out all this blind "Track #2" hate. Heh.