Quick Fisk By Amanda on September 2, 2008 8:06 AM | Permalink | Comments (5) | TrackBacks (0)
Paul Cashmere asks re: iTunes, "If it doesn`t work for Estelle or AC/DC or The Beatles or Kid Rock, then who is it working for?"
A: Um, consumers?
Let's ignore the questionable correlation=causation assumptions underlying the whole thing and the extrapolation way beyond the evidence (is it too obvious to point out that what applies to The Beatles applies to ... well, practically no one else?) Cashmere doesn't mention this section from the WSJ article: "This year, Kid Rock ... has had a massive radio hit with "All Summer Long." Ah yes, commercial, mainstream radio. Nothing at all corrupt or restrictive about that method of promoting music!
And AC/DC's new album which won't be on iTunes? Exclusive to WalMart in the USA. This is a paradigm-busting improvement, how? And who benefits?
Look, clearly there are issues with all the new methods of digital delivery and their impacts on artists and labels and whoever else are many and complex. And by nature I am an album buyer. But am I really supposed to feel sorry for the major labels because they've been outmaneuvered by another big company doing a better job at giving people what they want? Uh huh. The model is going to change again no doubt, but if it changes to what the labels are pushing, I really can't imagine it's people like me who will win.
By Shaun
on September 2, 2008 11:00 AM
AC/DC will likely benefit greatly out of the WalMart deal. The bands that have done a similar deal prior did quite well. Fan reaction has been mixed and personally, if I was a USAnian AC/DC fan I'd be a little miffed that it wasn't widely available. Then again, I'd also be queuing up at my nearest WalMart on October 20th.
But I do like iTunes for the convenience and regulary buy albums. I even grab the occasional song by itself. But I am an album person myself. I actually miss how you would have a side one and a side two. Bands used to really sequence songs well back when this was an unavoidable practice.
But (and this is based on anecdotal evidence) younguns today tend to favour a few songs rather than a whole album. Which is one reason that iTunes has done well.
But there is also a factor that hasn't been part of the music industry in past decades. A large percentage of over 30s (for lack of a better age for demarcation) that want to hear new music and or relive their glory days via old music.
Another rambling observation is that a part of the success for the Beatles and AC/DC's back catalogue may be lasting cultural impact. That is not to denigrate the Stones worthy contributions but maybe a reflection of what oldie bands still capture the imagination of today's youth.
Long term, I reckon many artists will move away from major labels anyway (as some are doing now).
By Amanda
on September 2, 2008 11:11 AM
I'm sure AC/DC will benefit -- which is presumably why they are doing it. I'm not criticising it, merely pointing out that to use AC/DC as your anti-iTunes argument when they are just as bound up in machinery of it all, just a different cog in the machinery, is kinda dumb.
"My Album only" thing has been softened by digital downloads (eMu chiefly) but I still mostly get full albums (and when I don't I have a list of uncompleted ones so I can go back and get the rest later) -- although that is financially more feasible on eMu. If I had to pay iTunes prices all the time I'd be more prone to cherry pick. I do mostly listen to my music on shuffle though which damns me in the eyes of the gatekeepers of Teh Pure Musical Experience. I also think the experiences of you and me who are obsessive music nerds is different from the more casual consumer who just wants the song they heard on the radio. Not the same thing.
I'm sure every other song on that Kid Rock album is just as catchy and compelling as the big radio hit and the people who bought it are 10 times happier than if they'd just dropped a buck on the one they like. /sarcasm
By Shaun
on September 2, 2008 9:20 PM
Forgot to mention that I'm surprised Bono let Kid Rock release an album titled "Rock'n'Roll Jesus."
I haven't noticed too many changes in my listening habits. Still rather the album but will put the iPod on shuffle every now and again.
But I still love it when a relatively young band such as the Hold Steady (getting a lot of Springsteen comparisons for some reason) release a new CD that is an album. Not a few radio friendly songs up front and then the rest filler.
And then there is Ry Cooder, bless his soul, that has resurrected the idea of concept albums.
By Francis Xavier Holden
on September 3, 2008 9:10 PM
"I really can't imagine it's people like me who will win.'
"people like me"
heh
By Amanda
on September 4, 2008 5:54 AM
There are dozens of us! Dozens!