isawdrones wrote:What could possibly be "outwith the bands control" at this point?
Well, Plaid (from what they said in an email to a fan earlier this year) finished their new album at the end of 2010 and gave it to Warp. But since Warp already have their release Queue for all of 2011, they couldn't put it out until September, instead of Feb/March. They have a LOT more artists than they did 10 years ago, and they have to make sure the albums go through the proper protocol (Announcing months in advance for promo and magazines to review the album, advertising, etc) so even if Warp has the finished, mastered LP that doesn't mean we get to hear it, at least for a good half year or so.
Maybe they finished the album in April (around the time the update on their website appeared) and Warp told 'em they are gonna get an open window in October/November - gives them time to get the album artwork and interviews set up.
this is just me thinking out-loud...by October if there is no official announcement I'm done caring!