In fact, if you read the entire spread in Rolling Stone (beyond what I quoted above), it continues to talk about how - last year - a bunch of artists were promising releases that didn't materialize (citing Mariah Carey, Lil Wayne, and Nicole Scherzinger as examples). It then goes on to say, "This year, artists and labels seem determined not to make the same mistake. 'Every one's trying to put out a record while they still can', said Bob McLynn, Fall Out Boy's manager." The piece goes on to talk about how major labels are concerned CD's won't be a viable physical medium for releasing albums any more. They quote someone who says this is true, but that it'll take a while before CD's vanish. And then it says, "But the 2008 holiday season will live or die on old-fashioned hits. 'It depends on whether the U2 record is going to have five singles and is still selling a year later, and if the Beyonce record does the same thing', says Virgin's Gyer (referring to Andrew Gyer, Virgin Entertainment Group's senior music product manager)."
