MusicTank

Guns N' Roses – not so much a band as a ginger-haired exercise in procrastination – have been working on their Chinese Democracy album since Winston Churchill was Prime Minster.

In the time since they started work on it, several landmark global events have happened, such as the invention of concrete, toast, fire, the wheel and those funny-looking trainers that turn into rollerskates, so they've really got to go some in a world that barely remembers the opening of 'Sweet Child O' Mine' let alone that weird sideways hips dance Axl Rose used to do.

Now, to spur them on to complete it and to assist Geffen recoup at least some of the millions ploughed into studio time, Dr. Pepper is offering every American a free can of their not-very-nice-unless-you-like-licking-drains soft drink if Axl actually finishes the damn thing this year. Axl himself, showing a sense of humour for what may be the first time in his screeching and pugilistic life, has actually said he 'backs' the idea.

Now the world needs a new Guns N' Roses album like it needs to wear a nappy for a hat and this Dr. Pepper promotion is a gamble that no wise person would bet against. The odds very much suggest that they don't shell out loads of cans of pop and Guns N' Roses don't put out their album this year. And both the teeth and ears of the American public are saved for another year.