As the great John Miles once wrote "Music was my first love, and it will be my last".
My twitter feed today is full of people commenting on the sad likely demise of the HMV chain of music stores. Yes I do think it's sad regardless of my views on the company's prices! It's sad for the employees but it is also sad for the fan of that fast disappearing medium - the CD.
I will not buy downloads as it stands at the moment. People look at me like ive grown a second head when I say I don't have itunes installed on my computer. I hope this blog explains my reasons behind it.
1. Pricing
For this i am using the new "Les Miserables - Highlights From The Motion Picture Soundtrack" release as an example.
iTunes (i am informed) is charging £8.99 for the 'album'. Amazon are charging £9.00 for the CD. That's only 1p less for the 'convenience' of a download?
2. Quality
An average mp3 is 3-4mb in size. This is horribly compressed from the approx 30mb size of a file in a lossless format. This may sound fine for pop music on a ipod with tiny little in-ear headphones, but try playing an acoustic based song via a decent quality hifi.... the sound quality is awful when compared to the equivalent CD. Artists pay for producers and studio time to make their music sound the best it possibly can, so why should we listen to it in the poorest quality possible? Surely there is no point in having a producer or a xx track studio? Surely we want to hear it as the artist intended? Until lossless downloads are standard (and reasonably priced), this is a major sticking point for me!
3. Global Rights
I like Country Music! There! I've said it! For those of you who are still reading after that announcement, I will explain why that is relevant.
I live in the UK. One of the top country artists at the moment is Jason Aldean and his latest album is called "Night Train". I can buy (and have done) "Night Train" from Amazon UK for £11.77 with free delivery. Now, just say I had an ipod and wanted to listen to it on the train. With the archaic laws in the UK, I believe it is still technically illegal to convert this CD to mp3/m4a as you buy the rights to the album in the format it was purchased in (this was being reviewed so apologies if it has now been abolished). So assuming this law still stands, I would have to pay again to buy it in mp3/m4a format.
However, here we hit a problem. iTunes does not have the album in the UK store. Nor does Amazon offer a download. This is apparently due to 'global rights issues'. If you change iTunes to the US store, its there for download but your Apple id is only valid in the country it was set up. To buy the download, I have to paypal the money to someone who lives in the States, get them to download it and email me the files.....
So although I can buy the CD (totally legally via import), I cannot buy the download due to 'rights issues'. As a normal person on the street, I don't see how it can be different whichever format you wish to buy it in. I thought the record industries wanted us to go digital? It can't be that it is due a UK release as his music has never been pushed in this country.
Are the record industry telling me I can only buy the music they want me to hear in the UK? Whatever happened to freedom of choice?
4. Different Mixes For Different Countries.
A lot of Country artists albums are remixed for the UK release. This is because "the UK doesn't like country music" so the record company removes all traces of fiddles/steel guitars from the album, even adding dance beats in the case of Shania Twain. Shania's UP was released with 3 different mixes - a country one for the US, a pop one for the UK and also a 'world music' version. If there were no CDs and only downloads, with the rights issues as they stand, I would only be able to buy the pop version because I live in the UK. I like the country version but that would be tough luck. The record company has decided that because I am English, I don't like the country version and have to put up with the pop one. (for those wondering, I have the country CD which I bought totally legally).
5. Packaging
I love the whole package. Yes, I read the liner notes, I read the thank-yous in the sleeve. It is an integral part of the album in my opinion just like lyric booklets! There is nothing better than having the full package in your hand, not just a collection of files on a hard drive.
6. Individual Tracks
I grew up in what is now known as the 'Classic Rock' era. To me (and a lot of people who grew up listening to Pink Floyd, Queen, Emerson Lake & Palmer etc), an album is exactly that - an album and not just a collection of individual songs. To me, the idea of cherry picking your favourite songs from an album to download, and not discovering the non-singles is horrifying. If Pink Floyd's classic "The Wall" was available digitally, most people would only download the solitary single - "Another Brick In The Wall". This is a double 'concept' album that needs to be listened to in it's entirety. Agreed, not all albums are concept albums but the fact remains the same - albums are albums. Think of all the songs people are missing out on simply because 'radio didn't play them'. Some of my favourite Queen songs are album tracks. Just because the record company didnt class them as commercial doesn't mean they aren't beautiful works of art. Try "Teo Torriatte (Let Us Cling Together)", "You Take My Breath Away" or "Life Is Real (Song For Lennon)" - all beautiful songs but because they weren't released as singles, radio didn't play them so the majority of the general public wouldn't have heard them if the album came out originally on iTunes only.
To me, cherry picking the singles from the album is not giving you the full picture. This may sound over the top and irrelevant but its like going to buy the Mona Lisa and saying "I only want the face part as thats the only part i like".......
Anyway, i'm sure I've bored you enough with my rantings/ramblings for today so I'll leave it there and will bring the next blog sometime in the near future.....
Steve
Tuesday, 15 January 2013
Friday, 21 December 2012
X Factor
Anyone who follows me on Twitter will know I dislike the X Factor. I thought I would give you a bit of background as to why and what my issues are with the show.
1. Auditions
One of my main problem with the auditions is the audience. I have long disagreed with the practice of having bad singers in the televised auditions but now with an large audience in the room, booing and baying for their blood it gets extremely uncomfortable when the singer is convinced they are good . I understand that all acts audition in front of producers before they even get to the judges auditions. If so, surely the point of these auditions should be to weed out the bad singers, not put them through for a second audition in front of a large crowd and TV cameras. I assume they are put through for 'entertainment value' but personally I dont find it entertaining to watch someone get humiliated in front of an audience (both in the room AND on national TV). I can understand some of these singers thinking they are good - after all - they must be surely? They have passed the first audition? They are no doubt thinking "Wow that producer liked me? Perhaps I CAN sing after all?" This leads on to my second problem
2. So called "Joke" acts
Every year there is one person at least who gets put through to the live shows seemingly just for "entertainment value" and not for their vocal talent. Surely the idea of the show is to find someone who will sell records? If so, why put these acts through at the expense of more talented singers?
3. The Judges
The show focuses way too much on the arguing between the judges and their 'controversial decisions'. Judges fling insults at each other, praise up bad singers purely because they are on 'their team' and give the impression that they think the show revolves around them. Surely it should be about the talent?
4.Winner Importance
Too much hype is given to the importance of winning. It is common knowledge that the winner stands less chance of being a success than the runner up. History has proven this. Also too much emphasis is put on the phrase "world class" by the judges. In the UK, excluding this years winner as its only a week or so ago, there is only Leona Lewis out of the winners who has exactly come close to being a 'world class performer' and setting the world on fire. We get told 'its the winners show' yet every year the runners up, and some who came lower, get signed by Simon and become more of a star than the winner. Why is that? Is it maybe because the winners album takes so long to come out that by then the kids who voted have moved on to the contestants from the following year or is it because in the UK you hear hardly anything of the winner after the initial single/press buzz until the next series launches of the X Factor? Take Melanie Amaro for example in X Factor USA who won a $5m record contract on 22 December 2011. Almost a year later, her album is still not out and according to Amazon has no release date set. (As a side note, Chris Rene who came third, already has his album out on the same label as the winner......) Her first "official" single, sold 20,000 copies and did not chart on the Billboard Hot 100. Thats 20,000 out of 12.5million who watched the final. So out of 12.5million and however many of those voted (i cannot find any reference to how many votes there were online), only 20,000 could be bothered to pay $1 or so for her single? Her latest single has recently been released and as of now, it has not charted on the Billboard Hot 200 (Source)
Interesting note - out of all the contestants in last years X Factor USA, only Chris Rene (3rd Place) and Marcus Canty (4th Place) have charted in the main Billboard Chart. Chris charted at 101 with Young Homie and 100 with Trouble, and Marcus charted at 98 with Won't Make A Fool Out Of You. (Source)
5. Rewriting Of History
This year, I understand they showed a montage in the final of past winners. Steve Brookstein wasn't featured. Yes, I know he famously disagreed with Simon and has been quite vocal about the show since, however he STILL was the first winner of the programme. Would it really hurt to acknowledge him instead of pretending he never existed?
6. Dermot's Dancing
No! Please No!
7. The West End
Stop referring to the West End as a fallback option for failed contestants. Oh so often we hear "I dont think you are good enough, however you would be fantastic in the West End" or similar off one of the judges. Its not a second choice. Its a completely different discipline. How often in the past has Simon said someone was "too Broadway" as an insult?
1. Auditions
One of my main problem with the auditions is the audience. I have long disagreed with the practice of having bad singers in the televised auditions but now with an large audience in the room, booing and baying for their blood it gets extremely uncomfortable when the singer is convinced they are good . I understand that all acts audition in front of producers before they even get to the judges auditions. If so, surely the point of these auditions should be to weed out the bad singers, not put them through for a second audition in front of a large crowd and TV cameras. I assume they are put through for 'entertainment value' but personally I dont find it entertaining to watch someone get humiliated in front of an audience (both in the room AND on national TV). I can understand some of these singers thinking they are good - after all - they must be surely? They have passed the first audition? They are no doubt thinking "Wow that producer liked me? Perhaps I CAN sing after all?" This leads on to my second problem
2. So called "Joke" acts
Every year there is one person at least who gets put through to the live shows seemingly just for "entertainment value" and not for their vocal talent. Surely the idea of the show is to find someone who will sell records? If so, why put these acts through at the expense of more talented singers?
3. The Judges
The show focuses way too much on the arguing between the judges and their 'controversial decisions'. Judges fling insults at each other, praise up bad singers purely because they are on 'their team' and give the impression that they think the show revolves around them. Surely it should be about the talent?
4.Winner Importance
Too much hype is given to the importance of winning. It is common knowledge that the winner stands less chance of being a success than the runner up. History has proven this. Also too much emphasis is put on the phrase "world class" by the judges. In the UK, excluding this years winner as its only a week or so ago, there is only Leona Lewis out of the winners who has exactly come close to being a 'world class performer' and setting the world on fire. We get told 'its the winners show' yet every year the runners up, and some who came lower, get signed by Simon and become more of a star than the winner. Why is that? Is it maybe because the winners album takes so long to come out that by then the kids who voted have moved on to the contestants from the following year or is it because in the UK you hear hardly anything of the winner after the initial single/press buzz until the next series launches of the X Factor? Take Melanie Amaro for example in X Factor USA who won a $5m record contract on 22 December 2011. Almost a year later, her album is still not out and according to Amazon has no release date set. (As a side note, Chris Rene who came third, already has his album out on the same label as the winner......) Her first "official" single, sold 20,000 copies and did not chart on the Billboard Hot 100. Thats 20,000 out of 12.5million who watched the final. So out of 12.5million and however many of those voted (i cannot find any reference to how many votes there were online), only 20,000 could be bothered to pay $1 or so for her single? Her latest single has recently been released and as of now, it has not charted on the Billboard Hot 200 (Source)
Interesting note - out of all the contestants in last years X Factor USA, only Chris Rene (3rd Place) and Marcus Canty (4th Place) have charted in the main Billboard Chart. Chris charted at 101 with Young Homie and 100 with Trouble, and Marcus charted at 98 with Won't Make A Fool Out Of You. (Source)
5. Rewriting Of History
This year, I understand they showed a montage in the final of past winners. Steve Brookstein wasn't featured. Yes, I know he famously disagreed with Simon and has been quite vocal about the show since, however he STILL was the first winner of the programme. Would it really hurt to acknowledge him instead of pretending he never existed?
6. Dermot's Dancing
No! Please No!
7. The West End
Stop referring to the West End as a fallback option for failed contestants. Oh so often we hear "I dont think you are good enough, however you would be fantastic in the West End" or similar off one of the judges. Its not a second choice. Its a completely different discipline. How often in the past has Simon said someone was "too Broadway" as an insult?
Saturday, 28 November 2009
Bon Jovi
Ive kept quiet for a while but its time to say something.
Bon Jovi at the O2 Arena
I have been lucky enough to see Bon Jovi live in concert 3 times (Wembley Stadium, Manchester Maine Road and Coventry Ricoh) - and they have been 3 of the best concerts I have been to. I would not have hesitated to go to a Bon Jovi concert again - after all - they were the soundtrack to my youth! But it seems I will not be going this tour.
Bon Jovi have taken up a residency at the O2 Arena (formerly the Millenium Dome) in London. The venue is not the issue. Trains down to London are dirt cheap booked in advance (about £9.50 each way) - the issue is the price of the tickets.
Bearing in mind there is a recession on, how can the promoters justify the ridiculous prices being quoted by the OFFICIAL ticket agents for this tour.
Lets examine them. Below is the seating plan for the O2.
To get in blocks B1/2/3 and the unmarked Red Blocks on the floor will cost you £100-200 a ticket (£200 for the B Blocks)
To get in A1/2/3 will cost you £575 a ticket! (although you do get the following 'benefits') :-
Parking (normally around £25)
Fast Track Entry into venue (wow - really needed as they are reserved seats anyway)
Pre-show party
Bowl food menu and unlimited beer, wine and soft drinks (you would need to get so drunk that you would not see the show to get your moneys worth!)
DJ and entertainment
Merchandise and souvenir laminate (you are paying for the merchandise - it aint free)
Personal hostesses
After show party
Now here is the real laugh. To get front row - you will be expected to drop £1100 per ticket (although again you do get 'benefits')
Premium seats in front row centre.
VIP parking
3-course dinner with wine in Chairman's Lounge at The O2
Backstage Tour
Limited edition merchandise and souvenir laminate
Personal hostesses
Escort to seats
Return to Chairman's Lounge Post-show VIP entry into after-show party
Then just to confuse matters there are the Silver Package (£650)
Premium seat in Blocks A1, A2 and A3 on the floor
Parking
Fast Track Entry into venue
Pre-show party
Bowl food menu and limited beer, wine and soft drinks
DJ and entertainment
Merchandise and souvenir laminate
Personal hostesses
After show party
and the Gold Package (£920)
Premium seats in Rows B to E in the VIP Circle
V.I.P. Parking
Fast Track Entry into venue
V.I.P. Area with pre/post show bar with table service
Bowl food menu and unlimited beer, wine and soft drinks
DJ and entertainment
Backstage Tour
Limited edition merchandise and souvenir laminate
Personal hostesses
After show party
How many Bon Jovi / Rock fans want these extras? Im sure they are capable of finding their own seats without an escort! And with a personal hostess for each ticket booking, surely people are going to get pretty fed up with these hostesses constantly walking in front of everyone to bring drinks?
Speaking as a rock fan - all I want is a ticket and preferably one I dont have to remortage the house to buy! Admittedly there are seats at £45 and £75 but to quote Ticketmaster's site - "Seats located on Level 4 (Upper Tier, Upper Bowl) are not recommended for those who have a fear of heights." ( and if you dont believe them - take a look at this video )
The big irony in this situation is that Bon Jovi's album is 'influenced' by the current financial situation and contains a song about it called 'Work for the Working Man'. Seems to me that these ticket prices exclude the working man.............
As a side note - I have this week purchased tickets for Kiss (arguably one of the biggest/most spectacular rock shows). They cost me £40 each! They are doing 4 dates in the UK. Puts things in perspective when you consider I could have gone to all 4 dates for less than 1 decent positioned seat for Bon Jovi!......Food for thought indeed!
Steve
Bon Jovi at the O2 Arena
I have been lucky enough to see Bon Jovi live in concert 3 times (Wembley Stadium, Manchester Maine Road and Coventry Ricoh) - and they have been 3 of the best concerts I have been to. I would not have hesitated to go to a Bon Jovi concert again - after all - they were the soundtrack to my youth! But it seems I will not be going this tour.
Bon Jovi have taken up a residency at the O2 Arena (formerly the Millenium Dome) in London. The venue is not the issue. Trains down to London are dirt cheap booked in advance (about £9.50 each way) - the issue is the price of the tickets.
Bearing in mind there is a recession on, how can the promoters justify the ridiculous prices being quoted by the OFFICIAL ticket agents for this tour.
Lets examine them. Below is the seating plan for the O2.
To get in blocks B1/2/3 and the unmarked Red Blocks on the floor will cost you £100-200 a ticket (£200 for the B Blocks)
To get in A1/2/3 will cost you £575 a ticket! (although you do get the following 'benefits') :-
Parking (normally around £25)
Fast Track Entry into venue (wow - really needed as they are reserved seats anyway)
Pre-show party
Bowl food menu and unlimited beer, wine and soft drinks (you would need to get so drunk that you would not see the show to get your moneys worth!)
DJ and entertainment
Merchandise and souvenir laminate (you are paying for the merchandise - it aint free)
Personal hostesses
After show party
Now here is the real laugh. To get front row - you will be expected to drop £1100 per ticket (although again you do get 'benefits')
Premium seats in front row centre.
VIP parking
3-course dinner with wine in Chairman's Lounge at The O2
Backstage Tour
Limited edition merchandise and souvenir laminate
Personal hostesses
Escort to seats
Return to Chairman's Lounge Post-show VIP entry into after-show party
Then just to confuse matters there are the Silver Package (£650)
Premium seat in Blocks A1, A2 and A3 on the floor
Parking
Fast Track Entry into venue
Pre-show party
Bowl food menu and limited beer, wine and soft drinks
DJ and entertainment
Merchandise and souvenir laminate
Personal hostesses
After show party
and the Gold Package (£920)
Premium seats in Rows B to E in the VIP Circle
V.I.P. Parking
Fast Track Entry into venue
V.I.P. Area with pre/post show bar with table service
Bowl food menu and unlimited beer, wine and soft drinks
DJ and entertainment
Backstage Tour
Limited edition merchandise and souvenir laminate
Personal hostesses
After show party
How many Bon Jovi / Rock fans want these extras? Im sure they are capable of finding their own seats without an escort! And with a personal hostess for each ticket booking, surely people are going to get pretty fed up with these hostesses constantly walking in front of everyone to bring drinks?
Speaking as a rock fan - all I want is a ticket and preferably one I dont have to remortage the house to buy! Admittedly there are seats at £45 and £75 but to quote Ticketmaster's site - "Seats located on Level 4 (Upper Tier, Upper Bowl) are not recommended for those who have a fear of heights." ( and if you dont believe them - take a look at this video )
The big irony in this situation is that Bon Jovi's album is 'influenced' by the current financial situation and contains a song about it called 'Work for the Working Man'. Seems to me that these ticket prices exclude the working man.............
As a side note - I have this week purchased tickets for Kiss (arguably one of the biggest/most spectacular rock shows). They cost me £40 each! They are doing 4 dates in the UK. Puts things in perspective when you consider I could have gone to all 4 dates for less than 1 decent positioned seat for Bon Jovi!......Food for thought indeed!
Steve
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