Really poor NYT/sydney morning herald article

I mean really, of all the generalizing garbage!

what don't you like about it?

uh... good question

I'm not trying to make you defensive, I'm just curious what specifically got your goat about it.

Alright I've got some reasons:

Then came the expensive and excessive CD format. Out-takes never meant to be included on the original were unearthed as bonus tracks. In truth, with few exceptions, the extra material simply wasn't good enough the first time around.

I love alternate takes on my jazz albums. That's one.

Further, new research shows that younger music fans have no attachment to the physical properties of a CD, the way previous generations enjoyed holding the record.

As a "younger music fan" who is quite attached to his liner notes... Well, the statement just sounds dodgy. How do you research that? Questionaire?

"A dozen songs really is the ideal length... ...12 titles is the perfect amount of material for an album. It's the right number of songs to take in during a sitting without causing fatigue."

This bit assumes a certain length for ANY SONG. I really don't like that.

But hey... I could be wrong

(xpost)

It's not especially thought through but it doesn't annoy me. Where I don't get its logic:

- DVDs have over 2 hours for the same price as a CD!! it cries after 5 paras of saying CDs are too long

- 12-track albums will appeal to people who only download 1 or 2 tracks - why? (apart from being quicker to d/l than 20 track ones!)

I was only annoyed because it took so damn long for this to be news.

and also for:
"These kids ... live on the computer"

Maybe I read it wrong, but I'm not sure the article is talking about all albums released in the future. I agree with you, Jole, that bonus tracks and liner notes on albums are great (especially jazz albums), but I'm doubtful that the record company types are thinking about the Miles Davis or Thelonious Monk reissues when discussing future CD releases.

Further, new research shows that younger music fans have no attachment to the physical properties of a CD, the way previous generations enjoyed holding the record.
As a "younger music fan" who is quite attached to his liner notes... Well, the statement just sounds dodgy. How do you research that? Questionaire?
I'm guessing that the companies saw a rise in album downloads, a decline in album sales, and a large fanbase at shows for acts with poor sales. The companies then concluded that young fans don't care about owning a CD, they just want the music.

I agree with you, Tom, that there are some problems with the article. The only thing I can guess re: the 12 track album is that if people like 1 or 2 songs off a 12 track album, they may be more apt to buy it whereas liking 1 or 2 off a 20 track album just seems like a waste of money.

"the loop orchestra" are having a release on a staubgold subsidiary and the guy from the company specifically asked that they cut off a 20 minute track so that they had a 40 min cd - company policy. it's not being released on vinyl afaik. i can't really see the difference between 40 and 60 mins of looped tapes?? the cut track is supposedly very good as well, if you like that kinda thing.

tell me more about this "loop orchestra" you speak of; sounds.. pretentious and good.

i'm surprised the record companies didn't think of this earlier. the more album out-takes you have, the more singles you can release with EXCLUSIVE! B-SIDES! and fleece the fans like a mad thing

I thought they already did this? I can't think of too many CDs I own which have bonus tracks.

loop orchestra web site : http://www.personal.usyd.edu.au/~hmackenz/TheLoopOrchestra/Looploop/looploop.htm