Originally posted by iamthe_eggman
...Now, my bassist is getting all antsy, since it's been his lifelong dream (slight exaggeration, but not by much) to have an album of his own...

This,I think,should make some interesting reading for your bassist:
http://www.guitarnoise.com/songwriting/2003/20030510.php
And how come he isn't on this forum?He has a comp!