Yeah, but I think the theory actually works in DT's favor in that scenario. Don't forget that if they go into the studio in January, we still aren't likely to see a release until mid-to-late 2011. That's plenty of time for the Wii phenomenon to run its course. And with them in the studio while all the discussion is happening, I think the result will be that they are too busy/occupied to notice and it will be easier to shrug off and disregard. And with the inevitable video snippets that will be released while they are in the studio, a lot of your average critics will either see that Drummer X does indeed have impressive chops and will shut up OR that Drummer X has impressive enough chops that they'll lose interest in bashing him and move on to the next reason to get on their soapbox. Sure, some of the more tenacios critics and the "MP-Fan-Forever!" types will fan the flames from now to eternity, but that would be the case no matter what. But by album release time months farther down the road, the dust will pretty much have settled.
One big thing I'd say is the timing of the new drummer announcement has pretty much nothing to do with how the new album release will go down. The anticipation for it will be insane no matter what.
I don't think they'll be able to get to work in the studio without being on the pulse of the fanbase's reaction to the new drummer. JR's pretty deep into social media, JP's on his way there, and JLB's dipped his toes in the water.
The interesting angle you throw out there is DT using the studio sessions to make the drummer look good. I kinda like that one. But I think of it this way:
- It's in the band's best interest to do P/R for this decision. They should want to explain the rationale for their pick, make the fanbase comfortable with the drummer as a person, and make it indisputable that they think this guy will make their album rock.
- I wouldn't think it's best for them to do all this while writing music. I'm not DT and for all I know they'd enjoy that - but I'm not convinced.
- The Wii theory is in play. This will generate massive response that the band almost certainly won't be able to ignore while writing, if only for practical reasons.
- Therefore, unless DT wants to write music and do PR at the same time, it would be in their best interest to announce the new drummer ASAP so the reaction to him and die down.
I think where we disagree is the stress they'll feel from the fallout of the announcement and dealing with it. I think it's going to be rather substantial, but for all I know they're ready for anything the fan base can throw at them and already have a way of selling the new guy they're confident with.
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Topic: Place your bets again - DT's next top model. (Read 1058796 times)