Artists releasing different genres of music as they come to them..

[Ridicule]

What would you think if an artist / songwriter never really released a proper CD? Instead, the artist would do a digital release of the song once the song is done. The idea of recording a song when it comes to you, then releasing it right away on itunes, seems like an interesting idea to me. With this method, a songwriter would release a handful of songs per month (basically as they come to them), no matter what genre the song happens to be at the time. I think this could keep fans on their toes and create a constant sense of anticipation for that artist. What do you guys think? Should an artist stick to one genre of music or go for releasing the music (whatever genre the song might be) as they come to them? Do you think people will still want to have a cohesive CD or will they be content with single songs that they can choose from and pick their favorites?

[crashcourse]

sounds like the great ole' itunes spirit of buying only the hit singles and forgetting the rest of the artists material. that idea is like just releasing a whole bunch of singles. that's basically converting the entire music industry to itunes. i don't see a good outlook in that. also, how would the shows sound? to much confusion and chaos.

[Protested Hero]

No.

[2 fly and shy]

It depends on the artist. I can only see this working for very well-known/successful musicians.

[Colorblind!]

or very innovative musicians.
I cant see them making any money off this strategy though.

[Kid B]

the alchemy index

[Protested Hero]

the alchemy index

I really think you missed the point.

[TheDemosRock]

I really think you missed the point.Maybe he meant that The Alchemy Index varied a lot from older Thrice?

[Protested Hero]

Maybe he meant that The Alchemy Index varied a lot from older Thrice?

Well the topic is about artists releasing songs as they come to them through iTunes. While The Alchemy Index is different than pre-TAITA, the Fire album has similarities to TAITA and Vheissu, as does the Water album. Not saying they aren't absolutely amazing albums, just stating that they aren't all that different.

[makeoutmags]

This would be a terrible idea, I just can't even fathom something like that even from a marketing standpoint, let alone how much it would just suck not having a full album to go along with all these singles.

[Kid B]

Well the topic is about artists releasing songs as they come to them through iTunes. While The Alchemy Index is different than pre-TAITA, the Fire album has similarities to TAITA and Vheissu, as does the Water album. Not saying they aren't absolutely amazing albums, just stating that they aren't all that different.

haha, water? the same?

on youtube theres a video of thrice playing a song from earth (see official thread), and it's blues.

[IWasaCamera]

What would you think if an artist / songwriter never really released a proper CD? Instead, the artist would do a digital release of the song once the song is done. The idea of recording a song when it comes to you, then releasing it right away on itunes, seems like an interesting idea to me. With this method, a songwriter would release a handful of songs per month (basically as they come to them), no matter what genre the song happens to be at the time. I think this could keep fans on their toes and create a constant sense of anticipation for that artist. What do you guys think? Should an artist stick to one genre of music or go for releasing the music (whatever genre the song might be) as they come to them? Do you think people will still want to have a cohesive CD or will they be content with single songs that they can choose from and pick their favorites?
Those who enjoy their vinyl records or compact discs will not approve of this idea.

It's my sense that the desired result of this concept is a sense of spontaneity in the music. However, countless artists already pen lyrics or write music the second inspiration strikes. The time (however long) between conception and release is simply meant to perfect a sound for the track.

As for the different styles the artist may dabble in when recording and releasing immediately, not only is the likelihood of a vastly diverging direction slim, the risk of alienating fan bases in the process is far too great. Only established acts could pull this off and even then, I fail to see why they wouldn't simply craft an entire record of "different" songs as opposed to a handful.

[OveriseFan]

Here's the main problem: you obviously don't write.

Songs change so much between the original writing and the eventual final recording. Say you're a musician. If you release songs pretty much right after you write them, or once you think they're 'ready', it won't be good. And you won't be happy with it within a month.

Terrible idea. Although, I'm all for musicians trying other styles. That's good.

I'd like to also point out that even when musicians write in other 'genres', it still sounds like them, because every good musician has their own distinct sound.

[Protested Hero]

haha, water? the same?

on youtube theres a video of thrice playing a song from earth (see official thread), and it's blues.

Water is an evolution of songs like Atlantic, Of Dust and Nations, and Red Sky. For the blues, see Dustin's solo album Please Come Home, also parts of The Earth Will Shake.

[SanePsychotic]

I'm not a huge fan of music going totally digital. Sure, it'd be great for some artists, but I'm always going to want the actual album with every song on it. In terms of sending out digital singles I think it'd be too much like iTunes (someone already made this connection).

[Intertwined]

God, I hate when people reply to these questions and use big words that aren't needed to make themselves seem smart.

Anywhoo,
some people want the actual album, and not just a digital copy. I mean, twenty years from now, I can't show my son my iPod and go, "Hey, listen to this," I want to be able to show him the actual CD.

[Hey Kevin]

As neat as it is to hear the early demos of songs you like, I'd much rather here the song nice and polished and to the artists standards.
And this could be an end to my record collecting.
What will I do at 30 when I have a stable enough income to spend a lot more money on records?!?!

[MyDenverMax]

I wouldnt' mind digital copies if they were in FLAC, but no band that releases digital stuff ever seems to go higher than 256kbps.

That said, I'd still rather spend $4 extra bucks for a physical copy.

[crashcourse]

God, I hate when people reply to these questions and use big words that aren't needed to make themselves seem smart.

Anywhoo,
some people want the actual album, and not just a digital copy. I mean, twenty years from now, I can't show my son my iPod and go, "Hey, listen to this," I want to be able to show him the actual CD.

You have a point there. Sometimes I get the copy of the album online and yet I still like to have the hard copy. It's more authentic and gives me reassurance that I will still have the music. What happens if your computer crashes. I mean I guess you could just use mac and be fine, haha

[handlikesecret]

What would you think if an artist / songwriter never really released a proper CD? Instead, the artist would do a digital release of the song once the song is done. The idea of recording a song when it comes to you, then releasing it right away on itunes, seems like an interesting idea to me. With this method, a songwriter would release a handful of songs per month (basically as they come to them), no matter what genre the song happens to be at the time. I think this could keep fans on their toes and create a constant sense of anticipation for that artist. What do you guys think? Should an artist stick to one genre of music or go for releasing the music (whatever genre the song might be) as they come to them? Do you think people will still want to have a cohesive CD or will they be content with single songs that they can choose from and pick their favorites?
i think some bands can pull it off, and some cant.
it all depends on what the artist starts off with.
i think Thrice and Say Anything are perfect examples.
they have a huge variety, and there good at whatever they try.
and thats not a common qaulity for many bands.

i think its a good idea, but im gonna be selfish and say i dont want my favorites trying it out hahaha. :-p

[thetrueblood]

What would you think if an artist / songwriter never really released a proper CD? Instead, the artist would do a digital release of the song once the song is done. The idea of recording a song when it comes to you, then releasing it right away on itunes, seems like an interesting idea to me. With this method, a songwriter would release a handful of songs per month (basically as they come to them), no matter what genre the song happens to be at the time. I think this could keep fans on their toes and create a constant sense of anticipation for that artist. What do you guys think? Should an artist stick to one genre of music or go for releasing the music (whatever genre the song might be) as they come to them? Do you think people will still want to have a cohesive CD or will they be content with single songs that they can choose from and pick their favorites?

I don't think that will ever work.

1)the point of the cd is to sell to you in it's entirety and collect money for every song, whether you enjoy them or not.

2)getting popular is all about developing a niche- you can't really do that if every song you release is different, and honestly, the majority of people like a song for it's "sound" and not all the different songs that artist can create. also, most artists out there today just aren't talented enough to make the switch.

3)Live shows would be a wreck. tons of different tunings, parts and it wouldn't flow cohesively. Also, people would only get into the certain song they like and not the rest- you can't play every song at every show. people like the band (the sound, image, group as a whole)

Honestly, I don't think this idea is any different from releasing singles, or b-sides-- except you're bringing it to itunes.

For an independent artist, he might find a way to make this work but there's no way the music industry as a whole will ever follow this path.

[Ridicule]

Here's the main problem: you obviously don't write.

Songs change so much between the original writing and the eventual final recording. Say you're a musician. If you release songs pretty much right after you write them, or once you think they're 'ready', it won't be good. And you won't be happy with it within a month.

Terrible idea. Although, I'm all for musicians trying other styles. That's good.

I'd like to also point out that even when musicians write in other 'genres', it still sounds like them, because every good musician has their own distinct sound.

Good point about musicians having a distinct sound. But your main problem is incorrect because I do write. I think people are misunderstanding what I mean by releasing the song right away which is my fault. The songs would go into production and once the song is done, mixed, and mastered, it would be released.

As neat as it is to hear the early demos of songs you like, I'd much rather here the song nice and polished and to the artists standards.
And this could be an end to my record collecting.
What will I do at 30 when I have a stable enough income to spend a lot more money on records?!?!

The song would go through the whole studio process and would not be a low grade recording.