But just as everyone is about to jump for joy at the promising slate of fall releases (particularly in light of a year three fourths gone now, that has provided little in the way of true star power), leave it to Fall Out Boy's manager Bob McLynn to burst that bubble with the following quote:
"Everyone's trying to put out a record while they still can. Who knows if you still can put out fucking records a year or two from now? Is it going to be online only? Is it going to be singles?"
So much for at least one potential answer to the question of where things may be headed.
What makes the Rolling Stone article really interesting however, is the way it shows how record label executives continue to carry on with an arrogant business as usual sort of nonchalance. Even as the walls of their ivory towers in New York and Los Angeles are crumbling all around them, they remain soporifically oblivious.
The days of multi-platinum smashes like Thriller, Hotel California, or Born In The USA are long gone, and don't look to be coming back anytime soon. Many of the biggest album sellers this year — Kid Rock, Jonas Brothers, Mariah Carey — aren't even double platinum (two million sold). Even more telling is the number of artists — Nas and Sugarland for example — perceived to have produced a hit album that hasn't even sold a million.
Neil Diamond, love him or hate him, is certainly an icon and arguably one of the most successful songwriters ever.
On the surface, Diamond's latest release Home After Dark has everything going for it. It's produced by Rick Rubin, arguably the hottest knob twister in the business (go ahead, name a producer who's hotter right now). It's not only Diamond's "comeback," but believe it or not, it's also the first #1 album of his entire career. All of that, and Home After Dark hasn't even sold 500,000 copies — the magic number for a certified gold record.
Not only do the days of the blockbuster multi-platinum seller appear to be gone forever — platinum and gold records themselves may not be far behind. So in the light of such statistics, as well as the increasing dominance of the mostly singles-driven MP3 format, when Fall Out Boy's manager muses aloud that we be may a year or two away from no more full length albums period, it becomes a statement not nearly as unthinkable as it first sounds.
Incidentally, I must give credit where credit is due for the above statistics about record sales. You can verify these for yourself by checking out a website called the The Lefsetz Letter.
Article comments
1 - Donald Gibson
A few years back, Bono was on CNN and he was asked his opinion on how to curb illegal downloading. "Make better music," he said, which pretty much sums up my opinion as well. If artists and bands want to keep selling albums, they need to write and record enough songs to make it worthwhile for the consumer.
2 - Mark Saleski
it is an interesting (if sad) musical business landscape out there. i too am not convinced that it's downloading that's killed of the major label portion of the business. it used to be that their were so many outlets for ear to hear new music, now there's almost nothing (mtv, etc.)
the other thing is that there are only so many entertainment dollars to go around. when Michael Jackson was at his peak, kids weren't spending gobs of money on things like dvd's and video games. somehow, all of this stuff is related.
3 - Donald Gibson
"...there are only so many entertainment dollars to go around."
I went with my family to see Paul McCartney in concert in 1994 and tickets were around 30 bucks, which, at the time, seemed pretty steep. In 2002, my family and I saw him again and tickets cost nearly $300 each. That kind of price hike, in a span of twelve years, is insane.
4 - Mark Saleski
of fer gawdsakes, you're bringing up ticket prices in the presence of mr. boyd?!! yikes!!
;-)
5 - JC Mosquito
I think the general poor taste of our society is also a contributing factor, as well as the lack of artistry the recording industry continues to push on the public.
6 - Mark Saleski
by "the industry" i'm assuming you mean the major labels?...i ask this because i think there's a ton of great music out there, but most of it's unknown to the general public.
7 - JC Mosquito
Yes, indeed - my mind has been read and my intent discovered. That's what I meant - just too rushed to type a half decent paragraph recently. Hi, y'all - I miss your commentary - gotta star getting back into the swing of bc again.
8 - El Bicho
It seems like there is a great leveling going on and I don't know that the change is a bad thing. I much prefer a greater access to material that I get on the Internet than the system we had before of a limited number of local radio stations with a finite number of formats. I don't need an album I like to go multiple platinum. I just need to like it.
Is there piracy? Yup, but the labels should have done a better job reacting to it. Offering access to other content like videos and whatnot is good, but a brand new, super-duper deluxe reissue for twice the price with six shitty songs that didn't make the cut for a reason isn't the way to go about it. Touring seems to be where the real money is at, and those who embrace the Grateful Dead model are going to be the ones who succeed.
That McCartney price hike isn't insane; paying those prices is. I would much rather use that money to throw a great party for friends and spin McCartney discs than spend it at a freakin' concert for two or three hours. If you have a problem with high prices, there is no one to blame but the people who foolishly pay and continue to drive them up.
9 - El Bicho
btw, nice piece, Glen
10 - JC Mosquito
Neil Young is coming (close) to town, but good seats are about $175 plus service charges etc. and the cheap seats need binoculars. Luv Neil, but think of how many of his albums or DVDs you could get for that kind of money.
11 - Mat Brewster
It might be a bad time to be in the industry but its a great time to be a fan. Where 15 years ago I had to rely on radio/MTV and magazines to tell me about what music was out there now with the internet we have so many more options.
Sites like this one tell me what new music is being released and review a great chunk of it. Thanks to the Internet I can now download samples (or even the whole thing if I prefer) for free to test the music before I buy. If I like it I can easily find an online store and order the whole album.
Look at an album like Yankee Foxtrot Hotel. Wilco was dropped by their label for making a brilliant album. Thanks to the Internet people heard it, recognized its brilliance and they ultimate were able to release it. Would that have happened during the "glory days?"
The music industry is being shook up for sure, but as long as I'm able to have access to all this great music, why should I care?