Deal of the Century

What else can I possibly add to this:

PLANO, TX -- No pressure, Axl, but all of America wants a free soda and it's up to you.

Dr. Pepper claims it will give everyone in America a free can of Dr. Pepper if Axl Rose releases his "Chinese Democracy" album in 2008. For unexplained reasons, guitarists Slash and Buckethead are exempt from this promotion and would not get a can.

A Dr. Pepper spokesman compares the effort it took to create Dr. Pepper with Rose's 17-year effort to make the album, and he says once "Chinese Democracy" is released, "People will refer to it as 'Dr. Pepper for the ears."'

Rose could not be reached for comment.

I've kinda lost track of the whole "Chinese Democracy" saga in the past few years. But apparently, the record is in the can (pardon the bad pun). As for it being worth the 17-yr wait, I'm more than a little skeptical. That said from one who wasn't exactly in awe of the Velvet Revolver formula and wasn't even the biggest Guns & Roses fan back in the day. So take it for what it's worth.

Still, I'll take the soda and probably give the release a fair listening just in case there's any loud, crunchy guitar riffs I might want to learn.

SIDENOTE: For some reason, Dr Pepper didn't see fit to make a similar offer for the latest Whitesnake release (which I'm sure to enjoy more). Wonder if it has anything to do with the decision to have Doug Aldrich on lead guitar and the significantly better Reb Beach on rhythm guitar?

Seriously, what is Coverdale thinking?