As reported by Reuters, Peter Gabriel wishes to record only in 5.1 surround sound in the future, eschewing the standard stereo CD format. '"I tend to use a lot of elements in my arrangements and often there isn't enough space on stereo,"' Gabriel says.
Hey, Pete, I'm a big fan of yours, but there's no way in hell I'm going to buy a new piece of audio equipment specifically to play your new music. Message to all pretentious artists: if you pull crap like this, do this knowing that you're just begging for pirates to press their own standard stereo CD copies of your music and will make them available for free download - or, even worse, sell them. Because there will be a very receptive market for that.
Gabriel is out promoting the release of a live DVD, Growing Up Live, and a new greatest hits package, HIT, both due out November 4 in the US, November 3 internationally. This must be Gabriel's year to be annoying: HIT will be available in different formats in different countries. The UK gets a 2-disc treatment (which it appears the US will get,) while Germany gets some of his early 80s hits in the German-sung versions - which are, of course, slightly more obscure and desirable to fans who haven't tracked down those long-out-of-print German albums.
(I get annoyed here frequently.)
Article comments
1 - Temple A. Stark
Pretentious is the word. Like he's doing anything that !@#$% amazing anyway. It's been good enough for 90 years, so far.
Why doesn't he just be a sensible fellow - and maybe he will - and have some limited editions in 5.1 for those who actually really care - and have the equipment.
Ass.
2 - Taloran
I think everyone should go out and buy a 5.1 system whether or not they can afford it. I'm running off now to pen a letter to my congressperson suggesting he put it forward as a constitutional amendment.
With the exception of an album here and there, I really don't believe Peter Gabriel has spent a lot of time through his career worrying about the number of people who buy his music. I think he records for his own pleasure, and if lots of people buy it, that's fine. If he wants to ruin his own market, let him! Artists are not generally known for their logic.
3 - Natalie Davis
I love Peter Gabriel, and I'm more than willing to get a 5.1 system -- if he pays for it.
4 - TDavid
Different area but recently we bought a new DVD player that came with progressive scan capability. Unfortunately we don't currently own a TV capable of dealing with this, so it's a feature that looks like it might be cool but has no practical application in our household. And I'm not going to go out and buy a TV just to work with special functions for a $79 DVD player :)
When plasma TVs comes down to a reasonable price point, we'll get one. I've watched the big plasma TV at Best Buy come down $12,000 in nary more than a year, so this market is shifting wildly in consumer favor.
Now, as for Peter Gabriel: he should just include a bonus DVD or CD with special 5.1 sound versions of his music and that might be an extra reason to pick up his new CD for those with the special equipment.
For CDs to survive in the coming years they are going to have to go the route of producing special content that isn't available through the legal online music channels similar to the way movies on DVD are marketed. People love bonus stuff :)
5 - fuck you
do you think peter gabriel has ever been interested in money, or whether or not people pirate his records ?
thank god someone is trying to expand what the human mind is so ready to accept as its peak
i guess your grandfather was the guy who said "why do we need to go on an exploration ? everyone knows the earth is flat"
Dipshit
6 - fuck you
do you think peter gabriel has ever been interested in money, or whether or not people pirate his records ?
thank god someone is trying to expand what the human mind is so ready to accept as its peak
i guess your great great grandfather was the guy who said "why do we need to go on an exploration ? everyone knows the earth is flat"
Dipshit