IME,
I think the "talent" needs to take a hard look at their abilities, both as players, and more importantly as songwriters: do they have a valid reason for recording an album (aside from living the "rock'n roll" dream - snap out of it!??!), are they prepared to back it up with performing/touring endlessly to support it, are they actually any good at playing their instruments, or writing a song/arrangement?
If they fail on these fronts, they shouldn't be making an album, unless it's for vanity's sake, or perhaps they just have a helluvalot of money to spend. I think the cart is before the horse in this business nowadays - too many wannabes, and not enough respect for "talent" - if they don't look like a model/posterchild for some cola/shoe/lingerie endorsement they don't stand a chance getting noticed... If I had more "players" than "posers", I'd have twice the albums recorded in half the time, and they'd sound a helluvalot better IMNTLBFHO...
PS: I need more room/isolation too...
PSS: I need more gear also....
PSSS: I need a drink....