Aahh..a thread about music!

Is it better to release a full concept album, or one song at a time?
Do you still buy an entire CD?
Do you only download the songs separately?
As an artist, do you still think it's worthwhile to produce a physical CD or Vinyl record at all, or should you just release digital music?
Do album covers and artwork mean anything to you?
How about lyrics and liner notes, are they necessary?
Where do you buy your music?
Do you buy more music these days or less?

That ought to be enough to talk about...

Do album covers and artwork mean anything to you?

Yes.

After seeing Lady Gaga's videos, I'm headed straight to Walmart to get some new underwear.

The older I get, the less patience I have. I like short songs with catchy melodies. If I am a fan of an artist or band.I would buy a whole cd. Lyrics are not important now, but as a kid, I LOVED when lyrics were typed out. So maybe it's a good idea if you want young fans.
Artwork is not too important to me. I like seeing photos of the artist, preferably with their instrument.
I think cd's and downloads are both good. If you play live, I think physical cd's are more important. As an audience member, I would be more likely to buy on the spot, than go home with a url and download later.

Penny Lane and Strawberry fields were originally intended to be on Sergeant Pepper, which also was the first album to contain all the lyrics to the songs on it.
These days, even a KILLER album cover like that would be a waste, because it's CD jacket would be too small to enjoy all of that.
They recorded the entire album in 129 days. At the time that was considered unbelievably slow.

Image is important, too.

Of course, this guy shouldn't put his picture on the CD cover.

Check out the guitar solo at 3:20

youtube.com/user/hjfreaks#p/a...

lol, he's just trying to be like Lady Gaga,it might help his career! :P

"Is it better to release a full concept album, or one song at a time?"
Better? That depends on what you are trying to do. Do you even have a concept album?

"Do you still buy an entire CD?"
Only if I like the band.

"Do you only download the songs separately?"
If you mean purchased songs I've only done it twice in my life. One was Melern Taylor and the other was Jen Kearney both of which I have their CD.

"As an artist, do you still think it's worthwhile to produce a physical CD or Vinyl record at all, or should you just release digital music?"
I don't know if you can still produce a Vinyl record. If you restrict your only option for digital music (Which cd is also BTW) you limit your audience. If you think only those that would download your music are the only ones that would appreciate it then do that. You can also offer USB sticks as an option too.

"Do album covers and artwork mean anything to you?"
Is this question from an artist or consumer point of view?
As an artist is all about branding. Symbols are used to market products because they can be spotted when someone is searching for it easilly. Pictures and artwork make it so you don't need to read anything to find it. Think of it a familiar face.

"How about lyrics and liner notes, are they necessary?"
Necessary? I think they are more of an appreciation from artist to fan more than anything else.

"Where do you buy your music?"
I don't buy music anymore.

"Do you buy more music these days or less?"
N/A


I don't think it's fair to ask such questions without comparing what todays status is and what is financially driving the music industry.

Does U2 do all of the above things? Artwork, Albums, Lyrics, CD's, etc....

It would only seem natural to do what those who do make their living at this to follow suite to some degree. I would think they if anyone would know what's not worth it and what is.

I think they will have many advantages that most will not have such as live concert video footage and elaborate websites. These are the things today that have replaced what Album covers have done in the past to bond a more special relationship between you and them.

Did KISS become so popular just on the merit of their music? Have you ever heard their 1st 3 albums? Their marketing genius to create an army of fans to a point where so many make themselves up like their favorite member when attending their concerts is enough prove that their music was only part of what was so sensational about that band and what drove sales up.

Did they really need to have such a huge stage show with fire works and spitting of Blood with elongating tounges stickin out.

Is it nessesary? What effect did if have on their music?

My guess is nothing. But that brings up the question are people gaining fans solely on their music and nothing else?

I belive music is only part of an element to build a fan base. People want to know who the people are that make the music so they can fantisize about being just like them some day. Even if they they aren't talented. (See American Idol tryouts for Details)

Which beatle did you ever think you would most like or wanted to be like as a kid?

Did the Beatles (The People) play a role in their music being so popular? Yes or NO? Why is Yoko Ono a household name? Has anyone here ever bought any of her music?

Was the British invasion popular because it was the best music in the world at the time? Did the hype influence that in any way?

And what the hell is Rap. Is it music or poetry? Perhaps just a way for Street kids to indentify with themselves. Why should that matter if the music stands on it's own.

To sum it up. I wouldn't rule anything out if you are trying to reach as many as possible.



........end of thread. :-)

Look at the marketing strategy behind Lady Gaga...

I'm off to the hardware store to get some electrical tape.

also, i love lyrics and liner notes but as an artist i never want to spend the upfront money to include them. maybe next time.

download cards are not as "sexy" as CD's. it probably depends on your demographic. I would probably sell more Cd's than cards. Younger bands with a younger crowd could probably move a bunch of download cards.

Are Download cards "real" if they only contain one song?

Starbucks seems to think so.

Another downside of Download Cards is they might get thrown into a wallet or on the dashboard of the car and never get used.

At least CDs offer instant gratification. Just plug and play.

How did you know?

"Drab and Disjointed Dribs" was going to be my next CD title.

Correct me if I'm wrong but I believe iPhones and smart phones (even some that aren't so smart) are being used as iPods/mp3 players (my LG Chocolate from 2 years ago doubles as an mp3 player...with very limited capacity). That being the case, I don't see it being long before someone puts two and two together and offers direct downloads of their music to your phone right at the show. You, the consumer, give them your phone number like you would an email address and the appropriate amount of money (or even charge them TO your phone) and then, before they get to their car, your "CD" has been downloaded to their phone for them to listen. No lost cards. Instant gratification. All the benefits of selling the CD without having to actually produce the physical product (which, let's face it, the majority of music consumers these days, if they even buy a CD, will rip it as soon as they get home and stick it on a shelf never to be touched, again). As far as artwork goes, it's nice to use to identify your brand, as was already mentioned, but lyrics could easily be put on a website. There's little need to put them in the CD packaging, anymore.

Trust me, this is coming from a die hard physical product guy. I still don't buy much music through downloads but I know I'm antiquated in my approach and comfortable with that for myself. But, if/when I go to put music out to be consumed, I will use all of the latest technology to my advantage and do my best to minimize my own costs so I can pass that savings on to the consumer to maximize my own sales.

Kids these days...

When I was a kid, we used to have to walk five miles in the snow just to get to the mall to get our music. Used to have to put a penny on top of the turntable arm just to keep them from skipping. Now that was music.

We hear you man!

Heeep, (cough, cough, hack), eh, in my day, downloading meant the girl was too drunk to stay on top.

You Tube is free if you're poor.
So is soundclick, etc....

Superdup receipts do not authenticate the origin or validate ownership of material they print. They are just a printing service.

This thread has me thinking about digital download cards. CD baby has some great option! One of them is a CD cover sized sticker! The download code is on the back and then you peel and stick. great promotional idea. people love stickers.
Also, the "poor man's copyright is an urban myth" it doesn't hold up in court. if your songs are that important to you, shell out the money and get a copyright, you can pass it on to your kids like a family heirloom.