I watched Social Network last night. A great film and an excellent script even though Aaron Sorkin is a bit of an asshole. One issue that struck me the most is how the character of Sean Parker kept bragging about bringing down the music industry. That Napster ruined the music industry. Is this how history is going to be written? Is this now the forgone conclusion? Did Napster and illegal downloading ruin the music industry or is this concept a old wives tale?
If you have been reading this blog for the past few years...you will know how I completely disagree that the MP3s have brought down the music industry. If anything, the music industry brought itself down...and they just needed a scapegoat. They been pushing mediocre pop music...and complained that no one buys it because it's being illegally downloaded. Not ever thinking that maybe no one likes the music. They stopped marketing rock music...then complain that no buys it. Maybe no one buys it because no one knows it's out there. Everyone keeps saying it's a pop world now. Rock is dead. They are wrong. Rock is still king. Rock still outsells pop.
Tomorrow I will unveil a shocking statistic that will undeniably prove that pop has not taken over...and that rock is not dead...in fact...rock is still number one.
Here are the 11 Best Songs By Cake:
1. Take It All Away (Pressure Chief)
2. I Will Survive (Fashion Nugget)
3. Commissioning a Symphony in C (Comfort Eagle)
4. Never There (Prolonging The Magic)
5. Frank Sinatra (Fashion Nugget)
6. Friend is a Four Letter World (Fashion Nugget)
7. Let Me Go (Prolonging the Magic)
8. Rock N Roll Lifestyle (Motorcade of Generosity)
9. Never Gonna Give You Up (Friend is a Four Letter Word)
10. Short Skirt Long Jacket (Comfort Eagle)
11. The Distance (Fashion Nugget)
Buy Cake's new album, Showroom of Compassion, now!!
7 comments:
its hard to really know what killed it. I'd agree that the labels did it, but I mean its easy to point the finger at them. Also considering I know how people are with illegal downloading I think that definitely played its hand in the whole situation as well.
It sort of brought down the value of getting an album and actually listening and taking in that album. Weather you liked it at first or not it had a real chance to be heard even if it wasn't immediately or initially appealing.
Like the new Cake album, I just listened to it for the first time and I'm not really blown away or even that interested in hearing it again right now. I'm sure it will take a few listens to really get it, but I had much higher hopes. We will see.
I have however pulled out an the first 2 Liars EPs and their LP and have been thoroughly enjoying them. Which could be part of why I'm not enjoying the Cake album right now.
I agree, the idea that Napster "brought down the music industry" is ridiculous, and it rather annoyed me in the movie as well, as it was otherwise a pretty great film.
However, the reason I don't think that Napster brought down the industry is because the industry has not been brought down. It's certainly been reshaped, but artists still record and the masses still buy. Yes, there is illegal downloading but there has always been illegal trade of music. The internet just made it easier and faster and the labels could not keep up. Napster was definitely a face to put on the issue.
The difference now is that the "indie band" can be anyone. You don't need to get a deal with a major label (what's left of them) to been recognized. People have just taken control of their own product with a substantial hand from the internet for marketing and distribution.
As for the crappy pop music, that's something that has always existed too. We don't live in an album oriented world anymore.
Great topic. Very interesting post.
I think that the record industry as it was, and still is somewhat was killed by Napster. The industry that had given up on finding good long lasting artists replacing them with the flavor of the week month or year that will eventually fade away but make the labels a lot of money in a short amount of time. The new record industry has emerged the indie label is now becoming a force in the industry that is saying to the majors to join their way of thinking or die like the rest.
I live outside of L.A. and the old iconic capitol records building is now an office building because capitol was bought by Sony/BMG and moved to NYC.Just proof that eventually all the multi- media conglomerates will be one.
So, yes I agree the industry was destroyed by the invention of P2P downloading, but out of this destruction has come and will come better music.
I think I agree with the last commenter. I do believe that p2p killed the industry. But that was good.
I have purchased or acquired more great music (rock music, btw) in the last 6 years than in the entire decade that preceded it.
I love that it isn't being shoved in my face. I love that you have to search for it. When I was a teen the bands I came to love weren't on the radio. The Clash NEVER got airplay. except for their singles. We had to seek it out, read magazines, etc.
For 1 Trouser Press there are 1000 websites now.
I recently went to a Steel Train concert with my wife. They are a small band out of NJ, self produced their latest album which we purchased on vinyl with a digital download (and a separate cover version of the album featuring female artists). A great value and a great album.
The Music Box theater in Hollywood was PACKED. For them and the headliner, fun.
This is happening everywhere. Rock lives, but we always had to find the best.
Thanks for rekindling my love of Cake. I forgot about them almost completely and am going through the whole catalog now.
Ahh Cake, one of my favorite bands.
I have a conclusion about music. Bad rap and bad Disney Popstars killed it along with a sprinkling of other bad Pop. I will agree that P2P and free downloads made the bands poorer but it also spread the name.
1. Italian Leather Sofa
2. Friend is a Four Letter Word
3. Pretty Pink Ribbon
4. Commissioning a Symphony in C
5. It's Coming Down
6. World of Two
7. Mexico
8. She'll Come Back to Me
9. Palm of Your Hand
10. Long Line of Cars
11. Bound Away
The emergence of digital music severely altered the music listening experience. There was something about removing the plastic wrap from a new LP. Then carefully removing the sleeve from the jacket, gently slipping the record from the sleeve, cradling the vinyl disc by the edges, so as not to get fingerprints on the surface. The new record smell filled your nose with anticipation of the musical buffet about to satiate your auditory hunger. Laying the black record on a turntable, watching the stylus gliding over the glassy black surface, hearing the sound funneled through the pick-up and pour through the speakers. Listening to records was sensory immersion on many levels that digital just can't replicate. Ah, the good 'ol days of listening to music
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