Let’s think this out.

Last week, the labels met to discuss the “maybe we oughta, maybe not” music subscription service, originally feared because of its potential damage to physical CD sales.  With labels revenues still falling below what they would like to see, they are possibly throwing that original caution to the wind in their efforts to staunch the bleeding (read: loss of revenues due to illegal downloading).

Warner Music Group has let out that the consortium has mulled a subscription service that charges, possibly, $5 a month, which would be added to our internet bills, allowing a downloader access to music, including sharing rights (hmmm).  There’s no word on whether an unlimited access is the allowance but I myself think that would be a key to success for such a service.

One of the problematic issues is whether a music surcharge should be a mandatory addition to this partnership with ISPs as opposed to opting in on your own choice.  A compulsory add to your already hefty cable bill can be angry business if you simply do not care to download a single thing.  And we already know that that matter simply will not fly.  I likely would have no problem with choosing this opt-in feature for unlimited access to music that I could burn and take with me as I see fit.  Of course, the sharing issue is a murky one.  The bottom line is that it really isn’t going away…it’s not.  Might as well allow it.  If they don’t, BitTorrent sites will continue to thrive in their trading.

It appears that this is a path that we are headed for.  It is merely a matter of time before all this is initiated and operational. We just have to hope that this doesn’t kill off the physical album side of the spectrum.  A TAP reader recently sent me a link to an article that also had a poll.  The poll revealed amongst its respondents that there was preference to the physical CD markets over all of the choices, which included downloading.  Of course, polls aren’t science but they do reveal a general mood.

Here’s my take:

The labels should create their conjoined download service but continue to service the physical markets for as long as the market exists.  I suspect that there is quite a bit of life still left in that segment of the market and for some time.  Allow the download service to be unlimited with complete catalogue availability – every song in the possession of the issuing label.  Allow downloadable .pdf booklets, even if a small fee comes with every download of said booklets (a nickel or dime for each .pdf perhaps).

The music labels can then begin to concentrate on restructuring the market to their fiscal advantage again, leaving behind the turmoil of change.  With the upheaval behind them, they can begin, once again, to concentrate on the patient development of upcoming and promising bands.  There is much going on in the world of music that is forming a paradigm shift.  To avoid it would be catastrophic to labels.  Right now, the labels are failing not because they are losing money due to new means of acquisition, they’re failing because they are distracted and many of the executives that sit in those high-level chairs are ineffectual in their jobs as overseers.  They aren’t engrossed in change and how to create new paradigms, they’re embroiled in the business of bitterness and litigation, trying to save a old, out-moded ship with a hole the size of a boulder in the hull.  And they’re using their corporate branded coffee cups to do it with.

A segment of the market that I think is being greatly overlooked, and a window that I feel will pass very shortly, are the folks that grew up in the days of LPs.  They want to purchase revitalized titles, some even want expertly re-mastered, and definitive editions of music that they love.  Soon, that segment will be tucked away in retirement, with not many having the sufficient expendable cash to buy much.  But they’re ready to buy now with very little to buy.  I realize that there are many obstacles to putting stuff together but form a committee, find out what you have, hash out ALL the deals, and get that stuff out there.  Deluxe Editions of Rolling Stones albums…priceless.  Deluxe Editions of Led Zeppelin albums, double priceless.  And we won't even talk about the desire for Beatles Deluxe Editions. Those bands may be rich enough now, but they’re not too rich to not want their music delivered in the best possible light.  Many are reaching the mid-60s, with some in their ‘70s.  Why not some extra money?   As for smaller bands that didn’t generate the type of monies that the previously mentioned bands had, dig their stuff out, freshen it up, and release 1000 copies just to get it back into print and accessible to those of us that want it.  There you go, markets ignored.

Of course, none of this is backed up with dollar potentials, costs of doing business, etc because I’ve obviously not gone that far.  I realize that this reduces the impact of my “suggestions” but I also realize that this is a new time that needs new ideas.  The big umbrella labels should shake off the slumber that they’re under, and get back to work.

 I might also be under a fog of illusion as well.  Sometimes it feels like the sun WILL shine everyday if we but get rid of the clouds with fans.  But things being what they will, that simply is not a true solution.  It may very well be that the old ways are dying, with an end date just ahead.  One thing I do know for sure, time marches on, change is inevitable, and what will happen will be what happens regardless of any laid out plan.  Music will not die; we’ll just simply cease to hear it as we’ve been accustomed when we die.

You likely have an entirely different take on the matter, and I’d like to hear those.  This bit of discussion will message the entrepreneur in all of us, and, besides, it’ll be fun.  I know that we have discussed this quite a bit but this article and ruminations are the result of current news (Quinn, Michelle, “Subscription services gain interest among music labels,” LA Times 03/28/08, Business C3).

I’ve had a few emails that were more than a little surprised at the mention of the upcoming Blu-ray audio title (something that everyone knew was eventually coming), this one by Rob Halford of Judas Priest.  But it has to start somewhere.  The concern that we should have is exactly how they mastered the music.  I know that other audio codecs exist, but since Sony created the DSD mastering technique, I’d like to see a return to this method.  I do support the best sound however.  Keep your fingers crossed that we’ll finally arrive at a new hi-resolution push that might actually find some stability and acceptance now that Blu-ray has been established as the next-gen DVD.  As more and more Blu-ray players fill homes, the audio market should open far wider than DVD-Audio and SACD could have accomplished.

Exhausted?

I have a nice range of reviews that include the following set: Van der Graff Generator releases a great new album called Trisector; and Ministry (and Co-Conspirators) release a final batch of music called Cover Up. In addition, I've discussed some newly reissued collectible Japanese-styled Mini Vinyl CDs of a few Metal bands that include the likes of Hurricane, Exodus, King Kobra, and Alcatrazz. Also, a reader, Paul Bonnington, has turned in a review of Taint latest, Secrets and Lies.

Welcome to the Second Quarter of 2008!! We'll see you on Wednesday with more stuff.

 

There is NOT a new entry in The Guitar Diaries [March 31].

THE GUITAR DIARIES

I learned the basic chords to - and can play - "Sweet Jane." I'm kinda proud of myself.

Please send all of your words of encouragement, suggestions, contributions, and derision to The Guitar Diaries.

 

Concord Records has Sax for Stax by Gerald Albright coming to you as a physical disc release on June 24.

Fantasy Records has some Little Richard on the slate with the release of The Ultimate Little Richard, which is currently scheduled for June 17.

Another Fantasy Records releases include Muted Miles for Miles Davis, which is being planned for June 10.

Hear Music scores another solid pickup with the upcoming release of The Hard Way by James Hunter. This is planned for June 10.

The very interesting Spiritualized will release their next album, Songs in A & E, from Fontana International. If you havn't heard them, you should give it a shot. They're a bit on the reserved side, minimalistically speaking, but their brand of Rock is fresh. Songs in A & E will release on May 27.

Oglio Entertainment will release All You Need is Blood by Beatallica on May 20.

Eagle Rock Entertainment has a DVD on the calendar for Jethro Tull called Jack in the Green - Live in Germany. This Live DVD is scheduled for May 20.

Telarc Records will release two formats of the upcoming Yellowjackets album called Lifecycle. The releases will appear as a standard CD and SACD. Telarc is still one of the few - very few - still committed to the SACD format.

As stated before in earlier posts, the final segment of the Emerson, Lake & Palmer Remaster Series will be reissued on May 13. The two titles are Love Beach (1978), which was the band's last album as their popularity had siphoned off at the end of that period of music, and their comeback album, Black Moon (1992). Of the two, Black Moon will incorporate a previously unreleased bonus track, "A Blade of Grass." The release of these conclude the Remaster Series from Shout! Factory.

Shout! Factory will also release the next Local H album called 12 Angry Months. It is scheduled for May 13.

New Door Records will release a 'best of' for Iron Maiden called Somewhere Back in Time - The Best of: 1980-1989. This set incorporates essential tracks from the band's first seven studio releases as well as a Live album from the period. This arrives as a standard CD issue but, in the near future, a 2LP Picture disc set in a gatefold jacket, is planned for release. The standard CD issue is scheduled for May 13.

The New Kids on the Block will return with a 'best of' scheduled by Columbia and Legacy. Ths set will contain 14 cuts with an additional 4 bonus cuts. The New Kids on the Block Greatest Hits will be available on May 13 and precedes a new studio album expected for later in 2008. The reunion tour is being mapped out for all of those teenyboppers who adored them during their first run, and who will insist on haunting the concert halls yet once again.

Integrity Records, an arm of Columbia Records, will release Overcomer by Alvin Slaughter, which is planned for May 13.

A new Submarines album is on the way called Honeysuckle Weeks. I really enjoyed their last album and so will look forward to this album. It is planned for May 13. The releasing label is Nettwerk Music Group.

Donna Summer is releasing her newest album, her first in 17 years. Her new album is called Crayons and will be involved in a huge push. Crayons is being released by Burgundy Records on May 20 and will be supported by a large tour. And I have to say - she looks great!!

Finally, if you have gone to acquire the Japanese-styled Mini-Vinyl replicas of classic albums by The Band, Blondie, and Kate Bush...and they weren't there, it's because they have been delayed. Those are now scheduled for May 23. Originally, they were coming in increments but now you'll be able to snag all that you want in one swoop.

Also, Caroline Records, who releases the above paragraph's discs, will also re-release the eight Van der Graff Generator re-mastered titles, packaged as the Mini-Vinyl CDs. These are planned for April 30.