That's the reason why bands such as The Cure and AC/DC don't want to give in to iTunes et al. They see their songs as indivisible from their original albums. One popular song is as much valuable as the others from the same album.
Lol, someone's already tried that. Remember Green Jello?Once there were singles then during the 60s the ideal of the concept album came and the cool people proved how hip they were by listening to the entire album. Then came the price increases and the punk movement and peole started asking why are they paying for an album of crap for one good song. Unfortunately by that time the single was a cassatte tape.
Enter the digital age and it became easy to buy the single again. Single videos are starting to overwelm the industry. Soon someone will try a video album, a mini musical movie in effect. If they do a good job that will be the future of albums.
Then came the price increases and the punk movement and peole started asking why are they paying for an album of crap for one good song. Unfortunately by that time the single was a cassatte tape.
I don't see it as a myth, neither the artist or the record company produces"crap" or "filler" by design. Even if they didn't expect that the "B side" had as much of a chance of being a hit they expect the song to work. For whatever reason the audience does not agreeThen came the price increases and the punk movement and peole started asking why are they paying for an album of crap for one good song. Unfortunately by that time the single was a cassatte tape.
I think the "album with one good song" is a myth propagated by people who want to justify illegally downloading music. Maybe there are some flash in the pan pop artists who think they can build an album around one good song and lots of filler, but if you buy an album by an artist who gives a damn about their music, I think you'll find it's usually strong all the way through.
Once there were singles then during the 60s the ideal of the concept album came and the cool people proved how hip they were by listening to the entire album.
Same here, except it would be live praise and worship service albums. What I refuse to do is buy a disc to get the "album only" hit. I will buy a cover version before pirating or giving in to greed.For the most part, it is for me. 90% of what I buy I buy singles off I-Tunes or Amazon. I rarely buy full CDs anymore, unless it's a soundtrack or it's an artist that isn't on I-Tunes, or it's someone I really like (which is a very short list).
I still buy, and love, CDs. I'm more of an album listener than a 'singles' guy. Only if I'm a casual fan of an artist or group will I purchase a 'greatest hits' disc rather than the individual albums.
And I'm not an oldie. I'm 27.
I like albums to be designed as such. Made for a complete listening experience. Not just a random collection of singles thrown onto a disc. I don't think the Dark Side Of The Moon, Sgt Peppers, Close To The Edge, or 2112 days are completely dead. There's still plenty of artists making proper albums. You have to look for them, though. Most aren't really in the mainstream. Radiohead, Tool, Porcupine Tree, Mars Volta, Rush, Spocks Beard, Dream Theater, Sigur Ros, et al are still making 'concept albums' the way they used to be.
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