Dr Pepper is offering everyone in the country a free soda if Axl Rose releases the album he has been recording for 17 years, "Chinese Democracy," anytime this year, according to a press release. However, according to Dr Pepper, guitarists Slash and Buckethead will not be eligible for a free soda; apparently their quest to work outside the confines of Guns N' Roses [ tickets ] conflicts with Dr Pepper's "unprecedented show of solidarity with Axl."

The soda company says once the album is released, people will refer to it as "Dr Pepper for the ears," saying it took patience to perfect the soda's mix of 23 ingredients, just as it is taking patience to record "Chinese Democracy." "We completely understand and empathize with Axl's quest for perfection--for something more than the average album," said Jaxie Alt, director of marketing for Dr Pepper, adding that the album will be a refreshing blend of rich, bold sounds--an instant classic--just like the soft drink.

Rose responded with a statement posted on the Guns N' Roses website: "We are surprised and very happy to have the support of Dr Pepper with our album 'Chinese Democracy.' If there is any involvement with this promotion by our record company or others, we are unaware of such at this time. And as some of Buckethead's performances are on our album, I'll share my Dr Pepper with him."

To show your support--or keep tabs on when you'll get your free soda--visit http://www.chinesedemocracywhen.blogspot.com, where you can vote to predict the release date of the album. The choices include 2008, 2009, 2010, never, and the day after you die.