From: owner-alloy-digest@smoe.org (alloy-digest) To: alloy-digest@smoe.org Subject: alloy-digest V8 #144 Reply-To: alloy@smoe.org Sender: owner-alloy-digest@smoe.org Errors-To: owner-alloy-digest@smoe.org Precedence: bulk X-To-Unsubscribe: Send mail to "alloy-digest-request@smoe.org" X-To-Unsubscribe: with "unsubscribe" as the body. alloy-digest Friday, September 5 2003 Volume 08 : Number 144 Today's Subjects: ----------------- Alloy: Okay, So I'm A Complete Perv. [Robyn Moore ] Alloy: Anyone Heard??? ["David Abbitt" ] Re: Alloy: Anyone Heard??? [Robin Thurlow ] Re: Alloy: Anyone Heard??? ["Keith Stansell" ] Alloy: CD Prices Drop ["David Abbitt" ] Re: Alloy: Anyone Heard??? [Robin Thurlow ] Re: Alloy: Anyone Heard??? ["Andrea Allen" ] Re: Alloy: CD Prices Drop ["Keith Stansell" ] Re: Alloy: CD Prices Drop [PRAEst76 ] ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Date: Wed, 03 Sep 2003 23:22:09 -0700 From: Robyn Moore Subject: Alloy: Okay, So I'm A Complete Perv. So I was watching "Unscrewed with Martin Sargent" tonight on TechTV when they did a report on Audi-Oh, a "personal stimulation device" that uses ambient sound or direct audio input to produce the vibrations. (www.audi-oh.com) Needless to say, my very first thought was to wonder which of Thomas's works I'd put to the test if I had one of these. I'm thinking Hyperactive, Hot Sauce, and The Key To Her Ferrari as a start. Just thought I'd share. ;) RobynM @ Robyn Moore @ http://www.wiccans.net/robyn.html @ You knew the job was dangerous when you took it. - S.C. ------------------------------ Date: Thu, 4 Sep 2003 07:37:55 -0700 From: "David Abbitt" Subject: Alloy: Anyone Heard??? I've been turned on to "Death Cab For Cutie" and think they're just terrific. Anyone else on the list hear of them / care for them? Dabbitt ------------------------------ Date: Thu, 4 Sep 2003 07:49:13 -0700 (PDT) From: Robin Thurlow Subject: Re: Alloy: Anyone Heard??? Yes, my friend Ian (of RCCW fame) introduced me to them back when I lived in Boston. I'm glad someone else here loves them too!!! xx ~r David Abbitt wrote: I've been turned on to "Death Cab For Cutie" and think they're just terrific. Anyone else on the list hear of them / care for them? Dabbitt Yahoo! SiteBuilder - Free, easy-to-use web site design software ------------------------------ Date: Thu, 4 Sep 2003 09:28:22 -0600 From: "Keith Stansell" Subject: Re: Alloy: Anyone Heard??? I just purchased an album from Postal Service after hearing the first few songs in a small funky 2nd hand clothes shop over the weekend. I asked her who it was, because the lead singer sounded familiar - she said he was also the lead singer for Death Cab for Cutie. I have heard a couple of DCfC songs, and based on my liking of the Postal Service album, I will be checking it out. And for those DCfC fans, check out Postal Service. Article: http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1471035/04042003/nullpostal_service.jhtml In a music business related new. I heard on the radio this morning that Universal was going to lower their CD prices by %30 to around $13.00 in order to counteract free downloading - finally, somebody gets it. I hope the other labels follow suit. - -Keith - ----- Original Message ----- From: "Robin Thurlow" To: Sent: Thursday, September 04, 2003 8:49 AM Subject: Re: Alloy: Anyone Heard??? > > Yes, my friend Ian (of RCCW fame) introduced me to them back when I lived in Boston. I'm glad someone else here loves them too!!! > > xx > ~r > > David Abbitt wrote: > > I've been turned on to "Death Cab For Cutie" and think they're just > terrific. Anyone else on the list hear of them / care for them? > > Dabbitt > Yahoo! SiteBuilder - Free, easy-to-use web site design software ------------------------------ Date: Thu, 4 Sep 2003 08:53:59 -0700 From: "David Abbitt" Subject: Alloy: CD Prices Drop CNN reported yesterday or the day before US CD sales were down nearly 10% from 2001 to 2002 (69 million less units sold). This could have something to do with the American economy, but I doubt it. And, since we're on the subject, has anyone wondered why the record labels have been so slow to respond to the digital domain and downloading of music? IMHO dropping the price of CDs to $13.00 just isn't going to cut the mustard. Especially when you consider the additional costs the industry incurs in packaging, shipping, etc. CD sales will continue to drop. Kazaa is recording over 2 million downloads a week. Filesharing will continue to cut into industry profits until the labels figure out a way to assault the problem head-on and embrace the technology and the possibilities it holds for new avenues of distribution, marketing, and sales. Regardless I think labels as corporate entities are faced with inevitable and monumental change, and we'll all reminisce about the days when we would actually drive/walk/bike/whatever to a STORE to buy our favorite Thomas Dolby albums! Ha! Dabbitt Keith wrote: In a music business related new. I heard on the radio this morning that Universal was going to lower their CD prices by %30 to around $13.00 in order to counteract free downloading - finally, somebody gets it. I hope the other labels follow suit. ------------------------------ Date: Thu, 4 Sep 2003 09:12:28 -0700 (PDT) From: Robin Thurlow Subject: Re: Alloy: Anyone Heard??? Agreed Keith.. for the longest time the labels were trying to come up with "extras" to put on the cd to make it worth the cost. I was wondering then why don't they just drop the price of what they already have. People who like the song just want the song... not necessarily a lot of extra stuff thrown in. I'm sure the labels will make up the cost difference in the long run, once they get people going back into the music stores, by occasionally issuing exorbitantly priced "extras" cds on their own.. cd-rom interviews with the band not available elsewhere etc. It's too bad all the punk fans on this list don't live in the same town.. I could see us all going to some amazing shows. Speaking of which, my afore-mentioned pal Ian was supposed to play CBGB's back in August.. a dream of his since he was a teenager, as a huge Ramones fan (a few years ago his own band actually got to be in a slasher flick directed by the same guy who did ROCK'N'ROLL HIGH SCHOOL - another great close encounter) But, it was the weekend of that humungous power outage here int eh Northeast/Midwest, and they didn't do the show. Amazing.. xx ~r Yahoo! SiteBuilder - Free, easy-to-use web site design software ------------------------------ Date: Thu, 04 Sep 2003 11:44:57 -0500 From: "Andrea Allen" Subject: Re: Alloy: Anyone Heard??? They are pretty good... if you like Mew you should like them too :) My husband is a huge fan. a. On Thu, 4 Sep 2003 07:37:55 -0700 "David Abbitt" wrote: > > I've been turned on to "Death Cab For Cutie" and think they're just > terrific. Anyone else on the list hear of them / care for them? > > Dabbitt ------------------------------ Date: Thu, 4 Sep 2003 11:06:29 -0600 From: "Keith Stansell" Subject: Re: Alloy: CD Prices Drop Hard to say what will become of the music industry. I would wager a guess that the lawsuits against file sharers may slow the illegal copying a bit. I know it has made me think twice about using online sharing, but I'm sure there will pop up a more anonymous way of copying music. I'm sure illegal downloads do have an impact on the slowing CD sales, but I think another real problem with the sales slump these days is the lack of "excitement" in the music world right now. Radio keeps playing the same (and same-sounding) 10 songs or so, and there seems to be nothing new bubbling up and getting people's attention. It's hard for a guy like me, who likes new and unique music to find things I like. I do think CD prices are a part of the problem, lower prices will make people more apt to take a chance on buying an album by an artist they are curious about. I ended up buying three CD's this past weekend after only hearing a few tracks from each. Most were in the $14.00 range, and interestingly enough - independent labels, not the big guys. I know I've been discouraged from buying a CD because it was $19.00, that just seems way too much for a CD. Even if the record companies do find a way to legally sell music to the masses via the internet, I'd really hate to see record stores go away. There is something about going into a record store and browsing through the racks while hearing new things over the store system. If the CD prices are reasonable, I think people are more apt to make impulse purchases in those situations. I personally like going into a store, scanning the racks and purchasing a physical CD. I have purchased downloaded albums over the internet before via eMusic, but it is easy to loose an MP3 file - just does not seem the same as a CD on the shelf complete with jewel case and insert. Also, even though new compression schemes are improving, the sound quality of a download will not likely be absolutely as good as a CD, or in the future DVD Audio or Super Audio CD. Still, I am curious to see what Apples iTunes is all about once it becomes available for the Windows world. I'd like to see more out of print and hard to find music available for purchase and download, not just the same 10 songs the radio keeps playing. Perhaps what we'll see is a multi-tier system where you can buy the lower quality download music, a song at a time - perhaps even on the spot in a music store from a kiosk. For the audiophiles, they will purchase by internet mail order the higher quality DVD Audio or SACD's. I think downloads will be a good substitute for the old "45 single" since there does not seem to be a good way to guy reasonably priced singles any more. I never cared much for singles, I always liked whole albums generally. If the record companies were smart, they should have a way for you to buy the album via download, then if you like it, order the full CD directly for a discounted price. You'd get the instant gratification as well as the hard copy. I recently upgraded my sound card in my computer which now has the ability to play DVD Audio discs. They sound great, I'd love to be able to get more super high fidelity and multi channel music as well. Better quality than just an MP3. I would love to see DVD Audio re-releases of Thomas' work. (complete with original stereo and a 5.1 channel remix). Speaking of extras, I have noticed a trend where they are now including "free DVD's" in with some CD's with a video or two on them. I guess that is to give you a reason to buy the physical CD instead of downloading it off of the internet. I bought one of these CD's and the DVD was a bit of a nice bonus. I'm a bit of a collector of music video as it is. Sorry for the rambling email, just some random thoughts today. - -Keith - ----- Original Message ----- From: "David Abbitt" To: Sent: Thursday, September 04, 2003 9:53 AM Subject: Alloy: CD Prices Drop > > CNN reported yesterday or the day before US CD sales were down nearly > 10% from 2001 to 2002 (69 million less units sold). This could have > something to do with the American economy, but I doubt it. And, since > we're on the subject, has anyone wondered why the record labels have > been so slow to respond to the digital domain and downloading of music? > > IMHO dropping the price of CDs to $13.00 just isn't going to cut the > mustard. Especially when you consider the additional costs the industry > incurs in packaging, shipping, etc. CD sales will continue to drop. > Kazaa is recording over 2 million downloads a week. Filesharing will > continue to cut into industry profits until the labels figure out a way > to assault the problem head-on and embrace the technology and the > possibilities it holds for new avenues of distribution, marketing, and > sales. > > Regardless I think labels as corporate entities are faced with > inevitable and monumental change, and we'll all reminisce about the days > when we would actually drive/walk/bike/whatever to a STORE to buy our > favorite Thomas Dolby albums! Ha! > > Dabbitt > > Keith wrote: > > In a music business related new. I heard on the radio this morning that > Universal was going to lower their CD prices by %30 to around $13.00 in > order to counteract free downloading - finally, somebody gets it. I > hope the other labels follow suit. > > ------------------------------ Date: Thu, 4 Sep 2003 18:25:32 +0100 From: PRAEst76 Subject: Re: Alloy: CD Prices Drop Keith sed: > Hard to say what will become of the music industry. I'm hoping for a change for the better eventually. Rather than it being made into a police state to ensure that no-one can listen to anything but manufactured pop and top 20 rubbish. > I would wager a guess that the lawsuits against file sharers may slow the > illegal copying a bit. I know it has made me think twice about using online > sharing, but I'm sure there will pop up a more anonymous way of copying > music. I don't think they'll ever kill file sharing, and I hope they don't because they only fullproof ways involve some SERIOUSLY draconian restrictions on society in general. > I'm sure illegal downloads do have an impact on the slowing CD sales, but I > think another real problem with the sales slump these days is the lack of > "excitement" in the music world right now. Radio keeps playing the same > (and same-sounding) 10 songs or so, and there seems to be nothing new > bubbling up and getting people's attention. It's hard for a guy like me, > who likes new and unique music to find things I like. I'm bothered about the licensing and restrictions on internet broadcasting. I liked internet shoutcast radio for hearing new stuff. Personally I use mp3 as a way to sample music. If I like it enough I'll buy the album. If there is an album, sometimes in the case of unsigned artists they don't have published CDs unless they do their own or if they supply sleeveart I'll burn my own. Personally I don't care about the threats on file sharing. I think I do it responsibly, if they take me to court over it it'll only serve to justify my paranoia and at some level that would make me happy. > Sorry for the rambling email, just some random thoughts today. Pfft... there is hardly much feed here as it is, ramble away :) - -- PRAEst76 http://www.cancellation.freeserve.co.uk/praest76/ ------------------------------ Date: Thu, 4 Sep 2003 11:49:19 -0600 From: "Keith Stansell" Subject: Re: Alloy: CD Prices Drop There are a few streaming places I've been listening to more lately to find new music. One is the University of Colorado's student station 1190 AM which I recently discovered is broadcasting over the internet. I was always aware of their AM broadcast here where I live, but just recently found their internet stream. Funny, in a strange twist, they sound better over the internet than they do over the air (AM signal) see: http://www.colorado.edu/StudentGroups/KVCU/ The other good independent music streaming site is 3WK radio http://www.3WK.com They have a varied playlist and you can subscribe to a high bandwidth stream, or listen to a still good sounding free stream. A nice thing about both stations is they give you the name and album of the artists they are playing. My other way of discovering new music is Subterranean on MTV2 Friday nights. It is the present incarnation of the old 120 Minutes program (only 60 minutes now) They play videos from artists such as Death Cab for Cutie and also have interviews with up and coming new non-mainstream artists. Just another random thought - I would imagine a lot of new artist will perhaps take the same route Thomas did with Forty and just self-produce and self-publish their CD instead of go through conventional record label distribution paths. The tricky part is promoting the CD and finding their audience. - -Keith - ----- Original Message ----- From: "PRAEst76" To: "Keith Stansell" Sent: Thursday, September 04, 2003 11:25 AM Subject: Re: Alloy: CD Prices Drop > > Keith sed: > > > Hard to say what will become of the music industry. > > I'm hoping for a change for the better eventually. Rather than it > being made into a police state to ensure that no-one can listen to > anything but manufactured pop and top 20 rubbish. > > > I would wager a guess that the lawsuits against file sharers may slow the > > illegal copying a bit. I know it has made me think twice about using online > > sharing, but I'm sure there will pop up a more anonymous way of copying > > music. > > I don't think they'll ever kill file sharing, and I hope they don't > because they only fullproof ways involve some SERIOUSLY draconian > restrictions on society in general. > > > I'm sure illegal downloads do have an impact on the slowing CD sales, but I > > think another real problem with the sales slump these days is the lack of > > "excitement" in the music world right now. Radio keeps playing the same > > (and same-sounding) 10 songs or so, and there seems to be nothing new > > bubbling up and getting people's attention. It's hard for a guy like me, > > who likes new and unique music to find things I like. > > I'm bothered about the licensing and restrictions on internet > broadcasting. I liked internet shoutcast radio for hearing new stuff. > > Personally I use mp3 as a way to sample music. If I like it enough > I'll buy the album. If there is an album, sometimes in the case of > unsigned artists they don't have published CDs unless they do their > own or if they supply sleeveart I'll burn my own. > > Personally I don't care about the threats on file sharing. I think I > do it responsibly, if they take me to court over it it'll only serve > to justify my paranoia and at some level that would make me happy. > > > Sorry for the rambling email, just some random thoughts today. > > Pfft... there is hardly much feed here as it is, ramble away :) > > -- > PRAEst76 > http://www.cancellation.freeserve.co.uk/praest76/ ------------------------------ End of alloy-digest V8 #144 ***************************