darkmatter.pearljam.com

kmcmanus

dwjmu84 said:

JKestle said:

To say that to date, what's been done has required no real effort, is a bit disingenuous don't you think?
2 singles releases, deals with NHL and March Madness, podcast interviews, private listening sessions, a custom mobile app, movie theatre release schedule... no real effort? Sorry, I don't buy it.

So yeah I don’t really see much effort there. What’s required to have cbs and the networks that carry nhl games play a few snippets here and there? A quick phone call and a couple signatures? I mean aside from 20 seconds of something special in one….one March madness promo, we’ve only heard/seen music that’s already released. So then it’s just a legal thing for the networks to get permission to use the songs. I promise you the sausage making is way less impressive once you see it from the inside. 

Podcast interviews : Jeff and Stone. Who else?
Stone’s with Pinfield was insanely underwhelming as I have noted (since I actually listened to it). Jeff’s was good. Stone’s interview with SPIN was maybe the single best piece of promotion yet. Loved that read! Btw no blame to the guys here so we are clear. We haven’t heard from Mike, Matt, or Ed via any widely available channel.

Listening Parties: I don’t know. I kind of see these as a little elitist for my taste. I really think the PJ of old would have absolutely admonished bands for something like this. I know Ed has fun with it and hey that’s cool, but it smacks of self indulgence. Since there are many, many die hards who’ve given blood sweat and tears to this band for 30 years or more who would never have a chance to attend something like this, maybe something more accessible would be preferable?

Actually, I like the early chance to hear the album through ONE (or two) times through the theatrical release. I think the timing is completely wrong. Do that a few weeks out (like now) instead of the listening parties. Meanwhile, you have the guys on multiple podcasts, making the rounds, and building the wave of hype slowly. 

 

Let me also add that 12 variants of vinyl is ridiculous in a way. How many PJ fans buy records, as a %? 2-3% MAYBE!

Now we learn of these variants a month after the handful of versions originally went up for sale? It seems like a $ grab. I mean come on. Aside from the odd collector who just wants these things lying around, who is buying multiple copies? I went out of my comfort zone to BUY even one copy of the record bc I can just listen to my paid streaming service haha.

Bottom line I guess is that what they’ve done so far has very very narrow appeal in most cases. 

I kind of liked calling a number on my cell phone through Verizon to get a clip of a new backspacer tune!!

The % of PJ fans buying vinyl is SIGNIFICANTLY higher than 3%, especially among the 10C. And a whole lot of people here are buying all 12. 

The part where the band makes “effort” is in composing & recording the music. They aren’t marketing execs. 

I’m thinking the reason the theatrical event is the 16th rather than, say, now, is to delay the album leaking for as long as possible, by the week of release it will most likely be out there either way..

D-Rod

PJNB said:

It is kind of odd to set that all up just to give us a sneak peak at a song that was coming out shortly anyway. I am sure they have more planned with it but it really would have worked better with it happening more consecutively. 

The site said “ check back for more clips”. So I’m expecting something soon. 

tino_11

From my perspective if the band releases music and tours, I’m happy. It’s up to them how they promote the album to generate interest and increase sales. That said, the interviews around the time of the Gigaton release were great!

dwjmu84

kmcmanus said:

dwjmu84 said:

JKestle said:

To say that to date, what's been done has required no real effort, is a bit disingenuous don't you think?
2 singles releases, deals with NHL and March Madness, podcast interviews, private listening sessions, a custom mobile app, movie theatre release schedule... no real effort? Sorry, I don't buy it.

So yeah I don’t really see much effort there. What’s required to have cbs and the networks that carry nhl games play a few snippets here and there? A quick phone call and a couple signatures? I mean aside from 20 seconds of something special in one….one March madness promo, we’ve only heard/seen music that’s already released. So then it’s just a legal thing for the networks to get permission to use the songs. I promise you the sausage making is way less impressive once you see it from the inside. 

Podcast interviews : Jeff and Stone. Who else?
Stone’s with Pinfield was insanely underwhelming as I have noted (since I actually listened to it). Jeff’s was good. Stone’s interview with SPIN was maybe the single best piece of promotion yet. Loved that read! Btw no blame to the guys here so we are clear. We haven’t heard from Mike, Matt, or Ed via any widely available channel.

Listening Parties: I don’t know. I kind of see these as a little elitist for my taste. I really think the PJ of old would have absolutely admonished bands for something like this. I know Ed has fun with it and hey that’s cool, but it smacks of self indulgence. Since there are many, many die hards who’ve given blood sweat and tears to this band for 30 years or more who would never have a chance to attend something like this, maybe something more accessible would be preferable?

Actually, I like the early chance to hear the album through ONE (or two) times through the theatrical release. I think the timing is completely wrong. Do that a few weeks out (like now) instead of the listening parties. Meanwhile, you have the guys on multiple podcasts, making the rounds, and building the wave of hype slowly. 

 

Let me also add that 12 variants of vinyl is ridiculous in a way. How many PJ fans buy records, as a %? 2-3% MAYBE!

Now we learn of these variants a month after the handful of versions originally went up for sale? It seems like a $ grab. I mean come on. Aside from the odd collector who just wants these things lying around, who is buying multiple copies? I went out of my comfort zone to BUY even one copy of the record bc I can just listen to my paid streaming service haha.

Bottom line I guess is that what they’ve done so far has very very narrow appeal in most cases. 

I kind of liked calling a number on my cell phone through Verizon to get a clip of a new backspacer tune!!

The % of PJ fans buying vinyl is SIGNIFICANTLY higher than 3%, especially among the 10C. And a whole lot of people here are buying all 12. 

The part where the band makes “effort” is in composing & recording the music. They aren’t marketing execs. 

I’m thinking the reason the theatrical event is the 16th rather than, say, now, is to delay the album leaking for as long as possible, by the week of release it will most likely be out there either way..

Sure, if you narrow to 10c fans then obviously the % would be higher. But I’m talking all PJ fans (since they all have access to the vinyl variants or just the “normal” copies, in theory). I doubt it’s any more than 1-2% actually, of the wide audience. Also, I guess I’m just curious as to why one would buy 2,3,8, 12! Versions of the same record unless they were a SERIOUS collector (and these folks are prob a di minimus % ). Are people buying CDs too? Cassette tapes?

it’s always struck me as odd the PJ sells a CD still. The vinyl I get (and let’s be honest this is all driven by Ed’s fascination with it), so it doesn’t surprise me that they offer a couple variants to have some fun, but 12 sounds like a cash grab. Though, I doubt it will amount to much. 

Hey - doesn’t black vinyl sound the best anyway? Pretty sure that’s been the standard for decades. 

Like I said though, this will be my first vinyl purchase in 40 years of life. Making an exception for what could be the last record, but yeah I guess I don’t know anyone else going around buying records (in my peer group that is).

but hey - if you’re buying them all then enjoy it. Maybe there is some sort of Easter egg on each of them as a surprise?

JKestle

dwjmu84 said:

Hey - doesn’t black vinyl sound the best anyway? Pretty sure that’s been the standard for decades. 

Historically yes.

Nowadays, colored vinyl manufacturing has pretty much narrowed that gap, but only when pressed properly, which isn't always the case. 

If you want to be certain, go the safe route and get black.

CarryTheZero

dwjmu84 said:

kmcmanus said:

dwjmu84 said:

JKestle said:

To say that to date, what's been done has required no real effort, is a bit disingenuous don't you think?
2 singles releases, deals with NHL and March Madness, podcast interviews, private listening sessions, a custom mobile app, movie theatre release schedule... no real effort? Sorry, I don't buy it.

So yeah I don’t really see much effort there. What’s required to have cbs and the networks that carry nhl games play a few snippets here and there? A quick phone call and a couple signatures? I mean aside from 20 seconds of something special in one….one March madness promo, we’ve only heard/seen music that’s already released. So then it’s just a legal thing for the networks to get permission to use the songs. I promise you the sausage making is way less impressive once you see it from the inside. 

Podcast interviews : Jeff and Stone. Who else?
Stone’s with Pinfield was insanely underwhelming as I have noted (since I actually listened to it). Jeff’s was good. Stone’s interview with SPIN was maybe the single best piece of promotion yet. Loved that read! Btw no blame to the guys here so we are clear. We haven’t heard from Mike, Matt, or Ed via any widely available channel.

Listening Parties: I don’t know. I kind of see these as a little elitist for my taste. I really think the PJ of old would have absolutely admonished bands for something like this. I know Ed has fun with it and hey that’s cool, but it smacks of self indulgence. Since there are many, many die hards who’ve given blood sweat and tears to this band for 30 years or more who would never have a chance to attend something like this, maybe something more accessible would be preferable?

Actually, I like the early chance to hear the album through ONE (or two) times through the theatrical release. I think the timing is completely wrong. Do that a few weeks out (like now) instead of the listening parties. Meanwhile, you have the guys on multiple podcasts, making the rounds, and building the wave of hype slowly. 

 

Let me also add that 12 variants of vinyl is ridiculous in a way. How many PJ fans buy records, as a %? 2-3% MAYBE!

Now we learn of these variants a month after the handful of versions originally went up for sale? It seems like a $ grab. I mean come on. Aside from the odd collector who just wants these things lying around, who is buying multiple copies? I went out of my comfort zone to BUY even one copy of the record bc I can just listen to my paid streaming service haha.

Bottom line I guess is that what they’ve done so far has very very narrow appeal in most cases. 

I kind of liked calling a number on my cell phone through Verizon to get a clip of a new backspacer tune!!

The % of PJ fans buying vinyl is SIGNIFICANTLY higher than 3%, especially among the 10C. And a whole lot of people here are buying all 12. 

The part where the band makes “effort” is in composing & recording the music. They aren’t marketing execs. 

I’m thinking the reason the theatrical event is the 16th rather than, say, now, is to delay the album leaking for as long as possible, by the week of release it will most likely be out there either way..

Sure, if you narrow to 10c fans then obviously the % would be higher. But I’m talking all PJ fans (since they all have access to the vinyl variants or just the “normal” copies, in theory). I doubt it’s any more than 1-2% actually, of the wide audience. Also, I guess I’m just curious as to why one would buy 2,3,8, 12! Versions of the same record unless they were a SERIOUS collector (and these folks are prob a di minimus % ). Are people buying CDs too? Cassette tapes?

it’s always struck me as odd the PJ sells a CD still. The vinyl I get (and let’s be honest this is all driven by Ed’s fascination with it), so it doesn’t surprise me that they offer a couple variants to have some fun, but 12 sounds like a cash grab. Though, I doubt it will amount to much. 

Hey - doesn’t black vinyl sound the best anyway? Pretty sure that’s been the standard for decades. 

Like I said though, this will be my first vinyl purchase in 40 years of life. Making an exception for what could be the last record, but yeah I guess I don’t know anyone else going around buying records (in my peer group that is).

but hey - if you’re buying them all then enjoy it. Maybe there is some sort of Easter egg on each of them as a surprise?

I would be sad if they didn’t sell a cd. I don’t have the room for massive amounts of vinyl (have some though!), and I like having a physical product with the art and liner notes. It’s also an excuse to support Warren, my local record store owner!

As for the multiple vinyls, I would probably pick one I liked, but I totally understand the collector aspect of it. I used to collect comics a lot, and they were all about multiple covers and variants.

mpedone

dwjmu84 said:

kmcmanus said:

dwjmu84 said:

JKestle said:

To say that to date, what's been done has required no real effort, is a bit disingenuous don't you think?
2 singles releases, deals with NHL and March Madness, podcast interviews, private listening sessions, a custom mobile app, movie theatre release schedule... no real effort? Sorry, I don't buy it.

So yeah I don’t really see much effort there. What’s required to have cbs and the networks that carry nhl games play a few snippets here and there? A quick phone call and a couple signatures? I mean aside from 20 seconds of something special in one….one March madness promo, we’ve only heard/seen music that’s already released. So then it’s just a legal thing for the networks to get permission to use the songs. I promise you the sausage making is way less impressive once you see it from the inside. 

Podcast interviews : Jeff and Stone. Who else?
Stone’s with Pinfield was insanely underwhelming as I have noted (since I actually listened to it). Jeff’s was good. Stone’s interview with SPIN was maybe the single best piece of promotion yet. Loved that read! Btw no blame to the guys here so we are clear. We haven’t heard from Mike, Matt, or Ed via any widely available channel.

Listening Parties: I don’t know. I kind of see these as a little elitist for my taste. I really think the PJ of old would have absolutely admonished bands for something like this. I know Ed has fun with it and hey that’s cool, but it smacks of self indulgence. Since there are many, many die hards who’ve given blood sweat and tears to this band for 30 years or more who would never have a chance to attend something like this, maybe something more accessible would be preferable?

Actually, I like the early chance to hear the album through ONE (or two) times through the theatrical release. I think the timing is completely wrong. Do that a few weeks out (like now) instead of the listening parties. Meanwhile, you have the guys on multiple podcasts, making the rounds, and building the wave of hype slowly. 

 

Let me also add that 12 variants of vinyl is ridiculous in a way. How many PJ fans buy records, as a %? 2-3% MAYBE!

Now we learn of these variants a month after the handful of versions originally went up for sale? It seems like a $ grab. I mean come on. Aside from the odd collector who just wants these things lying around, who is buying multiple copies? I went out of my comfort zone to BUY even one copy of the record bc I can just listen to my paid streaming service haha.

Bottom line I guess is that what they’ve done so far has very very narrow appeal in most cases. 

I kind of liked calling a number on my cell phone through Verizon to get a clip of a new backspacer tune!!

The % of PJ fans buying vinyl is SIGNIFICANTLY higher than 3%, especially among the 10C. And a whole lot of people here are buying all 12. 

The part where the band makes “effort” is in composing & recording the music. They aren’t marketing execs. 

I’m thinking the reason the theatrical event is the 16th rather than, say, now, is to delay the album leaking for as long as possible, by the week of release it will most likely be out there either way..

Sure, if you narrow to 10c fans then obviously the % would be higher. But I’m talking all PJ fans (since they all have access to the vinyl variants or just the “normal” copies, in theory). I doubt it’s any more than 1-2% actually, of the wide audience. Also, I guess I’m just curious as to why one would buy 2,3,8, 12! Versions of the same record unless they were a SERIOUS collector (and these folks are prob a di minimus % ). Are people buying CDs too? Cassette tapes?

it’s always struck me as odd the PJ sells a CD still. The vinyl I get (and let’s be honest this is all driven by Ed’s fascination with it), so it doesn’t surprise me that they offer a couple variants to have some fun, but 12 sounds like a cash grab. Though, I doubt it will amount to much. 

Hey - doesn’t black vinyl sound the best anyway? Pretty sure that’s been the standard for decades. 

Like I said though, this will be my first vinyl purchase in 40 years of life. Making an exception for what could be the last record, but yeah I guess I don’t know anyone else going around buying records (in my peer group that is).

but hey - if you’re buying them all then enjoy it. Maybe there is some sort of Easter egg on each of them as a surprise?

They better keep selling CDs! I still have a CD player in my car. It's more that I want to have a physical copy of my own. Digital download is fine, but not the same.

As for the variants, they are pretty limited quantities, so probably within the range of "serious PJ vinyl collector" tolerances. I think getting multiple variants is beyond being a fan of the music and about collecting. Gotta get the complete set! It's not my jam, but to each their own. Given how well variants sell just when they are 10C exclusives (and the troubles people are having pre-ordering some of these), I think the market for this type of thing is clearly there. I do think it's gimmicky, but again, it's not my jam. It is for many other people.

The cassette thing is the really wild one to me. I know it's not just Pearl Jam; it's been a growing trend for years now. My best guess is that it's a nostalgia thing, which I DO get, but I'm not seeking out a cassette player anytime soon, while I'm pretty sure I will always have a CD player and a turntable. Frankly, I think they should lean even more into the nostalgia and start releasing music on 8-track and concert films on LaserDisc and VHS.

kmcmanus

mpedone said:

dwjmu84 said:

kmcmanus said:

dwjmu84 said:

JKestle said:

To say that to date, what's been done has required no real effort, is a bit disingenuous don't you think?
2 singles releases, deals with NHL and March Madness, podcast interviews, private listening sessions, a custom mobile app, movie theatre release schedule... no real effort? Sorry, I don't buy it.

So yeah I don’t really see much effort there. What’s required to have cbs and the networks that carry nhl games play a few snippets here and there? A quick phone call and a couple signatures? I mean aside from 20 seconds of something special in one….one March madness promo, we’ve only heard/seen music that’s already released. So then it’s just a legal thing for the networks to get permission to use the songs. I promise you the sausage making is way less impressive once you see it from the inside. 

Podcast interviews : Jeff and Stone. Who else?
Stone’s with Pinfield was insanely underwhelming as I have noted (since I actually listened to it). Jeff’s was good. Stone’s interview with SPIN was maybe the single best piece of promotion yet. Loved that read! Btw no blame to the guys here so we are clear. We haven’t heard from Mike, Matt, or Ed via any widely available channel.

Listening Parties: I don’t know. I kind of see these as a little elitist for my taste. I really think the PJ of old would have absolutely admonished bands for something like this. I know Ed has fun with it and hey that’s cool, but it smacks of self indulgence. Since there are many, many die hards who’ve given blood sweat and tears to this band for 30 years or more who would never have a chance to attend something like this, maybe something more accessible would be preferable?

Actually, I like the early chance to hear the album through ONE (or two) times through the theatrical release. I think the timing is completely wrong. Do that a few weeks out (like now) instead of the listening parties. Meanwhile, you have the guys on multiple podcasts, making the rounds, and building the wave of hype slowly. 

 

Let me also add that 12 variants of vinyl is ridiculous in a way. How many PJ fans buy records, as a %? 2-3% MAYBE!

Now we learn of these variants a month after the handful of versions originally went up for sale? It seems like a $ grab. I mean come on. Aside from the odd collector who just wants these things lying around, who is buying multiple copies? I went out of my comfort zone to BUY even one copy of the record bc I can just listen to my paid streaming service haha.

Bottom line I guess is that what they’ve done so far has very very narrow appeal in most cases. 

I kind of liked calling a number on my cell phone through Verizon to get a clip of a new backspacer tune!!

The % of PJ fans buying vinyl is SIGNIFICANTLY higher than 3%, especially among the 10C. And a whole lot of people here are buying all 12. 

The part where the band makes “effort” is in composing & recording the music. They aren’t marketing execs. 

I’m thinking the reason the theatrical event is the 16th rather than, say, now, is to delay the album leaking for as long as possible, by the week of release it will most likely be out there either way..

Sure, if you narrow to 10c fans then obviously the % would be higher. But I’m talking all PJ fans (since they all have access to the vinyl variants or just the “normal” copies, in theory). I doubt it’s any more than 1-2% actually, of the wide audience. Also, I guess I’m just curious as to why one would buy 2,3,8, 12! Versions of the same record unless they were a SERIOUS collector (and these folks are prob a di minimus % ). Are people buying CDs too? Cassette tapes?

it’s always struck me as odd the PJ sells a CD still. The vinyl I get (and let’s be honest this is all driven by Ed’s fascination with it), so it doesn’t surprise me that they offer a couple variants to have some fun, but 12 sounds like a cash grab. Though, I doubt it will amount to much. 

Hey - doesn’t black vinyl sound the best anyway? Pretty sure that’s been the standard for decades. 

Like I said though, this will be my first vinyl purchase in 40 years of life. Making an exception for what could be the last record, but yeah I guess I don’t know anyone else going around buying records (in my peer group that is).

but hey - if you’re buying them all then enjoy it. Maybe there is some sort of Easter egg on each of them as a surprise?

They better keep selling CDs! I still have a CD player in my car. It's more that I want to have a physical copy of my own. Digital download is fine, but not the same.

As for the variants, they are pretty limited quantities, so probably within the range of "serious PJ vinyl collector" tolerances. I think getting multiple variants is beyond being a fan of the music and about collecting. Gotta get the complete set! It's not my jam, but to each their own. Given how well variants sell just when they are 10C exclusives (and the troubles people are having pre-ordering some of these), I think the market for this type of thing is clearly there. I do think it's gimmicky, but again, it's not my jam. It is for many other people.

The cassette thing is the really wild one to me. I know it's not just Pearl Jam; it's been a growing trend for years now. My best guess is that it's a nostalgia thing, which I DO get, but I'm not seeking out a cassette player anytime soon, while I'm pretty sure I will always have a CD player and a turntable. Frankly, I think they should lean even more into the nostalgia and start releasing music on 8-track and concert films on LaserDisc and VHS.

The cassette comeback was actually caused by Adele… sorta. Or her label at least.
When her album was occupying multiple vinyl pressing plants in ‘21 (and impacting early ‘22 releases too) a lot of punk and indie bands started doing tapes to fill that void because the wait to press anyone else’s vinyl was so long.

i still buy a cd of every PJ studio album, because I always have and I always like the packaging but PJ is the only band I still do that for

mpedone

kmcmanus said:

mpedone said:

dwjmu84 said:

kmcmanus said:

dwjmu84 said:

JKestle said:

To say that to date, what's been done has required no real effort, is a bit disingenuous don't you think?
2 singles releases, deals with NHL and March Madness, podcast interviews, private listening sessions, a custom mobile app, movie theatre release schedule... no real effort? Sorry, I don't buy it.

So yeah I don’t really see much effort there. What’s required to have cbs and the networks that carry nhl games play a few snippets here and there? A quick phone call and a couple signatures? I mean aside from 20 seconds of something special in one….one March madness promo, we’ve only heard/seen music that’s already released. So then it’s just a legal thing for the networks to get permission to use the songs. I promise you the sausage making is way less impressive once you see it from the inside. 

Podcast interviews : Jeff and Stone. Who else?
Stone’s with Pinfield was insanely underwhelming as I have noted (since I actually listened to it). Jeff’s was good. Stone’s interview with SPIN was maybe the single best piece of promotion yet. Loved that read! Btw no blame to the guys here so we are clear. We haven’t heard from Mike, Matt, or Ed via any widely available channel.

Listening Parties: I don’t know. I kind of see these as a little elitist for my taste. I really think the PJ of old would have absolutely admonished bands for something like this. I know Ed has fun with it and hey that’s cool, but it smacks of self indulgence. Since there are many, many die hards who’ve given blood sweat and tears to this band for 30 years or more who would never have a chance to attend something like this, maybe something more accessible would be preferable?

Actually, I like the early chance to hear the album through ONE (or two) times through the theatrical release. I think the timing is completely wrong. Do that a few weeks out (like now) instead of the listening parties. Meanwhile, you have the guys on multiple podcasts, making the rounds, and building the wave of hype slowly. 

 

Let me also add that 12 variants of vinyl is ridiculous in a way. How many PJ fans buy records, as a %? 2-3% MAYBE!

Now we learn of these variants a month after the handful of versions originally went up for sale? It seems like a $ grab. I mean come on. Aside from the odd collector who just wants these things lying around, who is buying multiple copies? I went out of my comfort zone to BUY even one copy of the record bc I can just listen to my paid streaming service haha.

Bottom line I guess is that what they’ve done so far has very very narrow appeal in most cases. 

I kind of liked calling a number on my cell phone through Verizon to get a clip of a new backspacer tune!!

The % of PJ fans buying vinyl is SIGNIFICANTLY higher than 3%, especially among the 10C. And a whole lot of people here are buying all 12. 

The part where the band makes “effort” is in composing & recording the music. They aren’t marketing execs. 

I’m thinking the reason the theatrical event is the 16th rather than, say, now, is to delay the album leaking for as long as possible, by the week of release it will most likely be out there either way..

Sure, if you narrow to 10c fans then obviously the % would be higher. But I’m talking all PJ fans (since they all have access to the vinyl variants or just the “normal” copies, in theory). I doubt it’s any more than 1-2% actually, of the wide audience. Also, I guess I’m just curious as to why one would buy 2,3,8, 12! Versions of the same record unless they were a SERIOUS collector (and these folks are prob a di minimus % ). Are people buying CDs too? Cassette tapes?

it’s always struck me as odd the PJ sells a CD still. The vinyl I get (and let’s be honest this is all driven by Ed’s fascination with it), so it doesn’t surprise me that they offer a couple variants to have some fun, but 12 sounds like a cash grab. Though, I doubt it will amount to much. 

Hey - doesn’t black vinyl sound the best anyway? Pretty sure that’s been the standard for decades. 

Like I said though, this will be my first vinyl purchase in 40 years of life. Making an exception for what could be the last record, but yeah I guess I don’t know anyone else going around buying records (in my peer group that is).

but hey - if you’re buying them all then enjoy it. Maybe there is some sort of Easter egg on each of them as a surprise?

They better keep selling CDs! I still have a CD player in my car. It's more that I want to have a physical copy of my own. Digital download is fine, but not the same.

As for the variants, they are pretty limited quantities, so probably within the range of "serious PJ vinyl collector" tolerances. I think getting multiple variants is beyond being a fan of the music and about collecting. Gotta get the complete set! It's not my jam, but to each their own. Given how well variants sell just when they are 10C exclusives (and the troubles people are having pre-ordering some of these), I think the market for this type of thing is clearly there. I do think it's gimmicky, but again, it's not my jam. It is for many other people.

The cassette thing is the really wild one to me. I know it's not just Pearl Jam; it's been a growing trend for years now. My best guess is that it's a nostalgia thing, which I DO get, but I'm not seeking out a cassette player anytime soon, while I'm pretty sure I will always have a CD player and a turntable. Frankly, I think they should lean even more into the nostalgia and start releasing music on 8-track and concert films on LaserDisc and VHS.

The cassette comeback was actually caused by Adele… sorta. Or her label at least.
When her album was occupying multiple vinyl pressing plants in ‘21 (and impacting early ‘22 releases too) a lot of punk and indie bands started doing tapes to fill that void because the wait to press anyone else’s vinyl was so long

I actually thought it was earlier than that, but '21 feels like it was about 10 years ago, so...

BF25394

You can get a kind of skewed view of the world from being in a club with a lot of people who are on the vinyl train. CD sales still account for nearly half of all physical album sales, and the total number of CDs sold in 2023 in the U.S. actually increased year-over-year from 2022. The CD is far from dead.

EDIT: And CDs are still the leading format in some other markets, like Japan.

dwjmu84

BF25394 said:

You can get a kind of skewed view of the world from being in a club with a lot of people who are on the vinyl train. CD sales still account for nearly half of all physical album sales, and the total number of CDs sold in 2023 in the U.S. actually increased year-over-year from 2022. The CD is far from dead.

EDIT: And CDs are still the leading format in some other markets, like Japan.

Maybe the cd is far from dead in the context of physical medium sales (vinyl, cassette, cd). But, compare the sales #s to streams on various platforms (Spotify, Apple Music, YouTube, etc). I’d be truly shocked if sales of physical music accounts for any more than the smallest drop in the bucket you could imagine. 

For instance…Taylor Swift’s most popular song on Spotify right now is approaching 2 Billion (yes billion) streams. It’s literally impossible for physical units of her music to represent anything meaningful relative to that #. 

kmcmanus

dwjmu84 said:

BF25394 said:

You can get a kind of skewed view of the world from being in a club with a lot of people who are on the vinyl train. CD sales still account for nearly half of all physical album sales, and the total number of CDs sold in 2023 in the U.S. actually increased year-over-year from 2022. The CD is far from dead.

EDIT: And CDs are still the leading format in some other markets, like Japan.

Maybe the cd is far from dead in the context of physical medium sales (vinyl, cassette, cd). But, compare the sales #s to streams on various platforms (Spotify, Apple Music, YouTube, etc). I’d be truly shocked if sales of physical music accounts for any more than the smallest drop in the bucket you could imagine. 

For instance…Taylor Swift’s most popular song on Spotify right now is approaching 2 Billion (yes billion) streams. It’s literally impossible for physical units of her music to represent anything meaningful relative to that #. 

But that’s counting plays, not purchases. If we could somehow count every time someone played Alive from a cd tape or record they only bought once it could absolutely be that many. 

mpedone

dwjmu84 said:

BF25394 said:

You can get a kind of skewed view of the world from being in a club with a lot of people who are on the vinyl train. CD sales still account for nearly half of all physical album sales, and the total number of CDs sold in 2023 in the U.S. actually increased year-over-year from 2022. The CD is far from dead.

EDIT: And CDs are still the leading format in some other markets, like Japan.

Maybe the cd is far from dead in the context of physical medium sales (vinyl, cassette, cd). But, compare the sales #s to streams on various platforms (Spotify, Apple Music, YouTube, etc). I’d be truly shocked if sales of physical music accounts for any more than the smallest drop in the bucket you could imagine. 

For instance…Taylor Swift’s most popular song on Spotify right now is approaching 2 Billion (yes billion) streams. It’s literally impossible for physical units of her music to represent anything meaningful relative to that #. 

Except that 1 album stream does not equal 1 album sale. Swift still sells millions of physical copies. Midnights sold ell over 1 million physical copies it's first week. It may not be the highest revenue stream, but it's certainly more than a "drop in the bucket".

BF25394

kmcmanus said:

dwjmu84 said:

BF25394 said:

You can get a kind of skewed view of the world from being in a club with a lot of people who are on the vinyl train. CD sales still account for nearly half of all physical album sales, and the total number of CDs sold in 2023 in the U.S. actually increased year-over-year from 2022. The CD is far from dead.

EDIT: And CDs are still the leading format in some other markets, like Japan.

Maybe the cd is far from dead in the context of physical medium sales (vinyl, cassette, cd). But, compare the sales #s to streams on various platforms (Spotify, Apple Music, YouTube, etc). I’d be truly shocked if sales of physical music accounts for any more than the smallest drop in the bucket you could imagine. 

For instance…Taylor Swift’s most popular song on Spotify right now is approaching 2 Billion (yes billion) streams. It’s literally impossible for physical units of her music to represent anything meaningful relative to that #. 

But that’s counting plays, not purchases. If we could somehow count every time someone played Alive from a cd tape or record they only bought once it could absolutely be that many. 

Yes, this is one of the reasons why the Billboard 200 formula is broken. It purports to track all consumption, but it can't track consumption of physical media (or digital downloads) beyond the original sale. This skews the chart in favor of streaming and genres that are disproportionately streamed. (It also gives an album credit for the consumption of individual songs, something that it never attempted to do before. If Michael Jackson had a hit song that sold a bunch of 45s and got played on the radio all the time, none of that had any impact on the album chart. Now, if a pop artist has a big hit, streams of that song will be translated into sales-equivalents on the album chart even though that's not consumption of the album; it's consumption of the single. And there is also an arbitrariness, e.g., "Bohemian Rhapsody" is streamed a lot, and then they decide whether to credit its streams to A Night at the Opera or Greatest Hits or the soundtrack to Wayne's World or the soundtrack to Bohemian Rhapsody, even though the vast majority of its streams are not as part of any album.)

Vedd Hedd

I listen to MP3 or other digital when on the go.   When I want to listen to something really good, I usually pull out vinyl.  That said, vinyl playing is somewhat of an effort.  WHich is fun, but there are also times I just want to listen to the best quality without messing with a record.  CD's are for that, and CD's are easily shareable.  

demetrios

dwjmu84

Vedd Hedd said:

I listen to MP3 or other digital when on the go.   When I want to listen to something really good, I usually pull out vinyl.  That said, vinyl playing is somewhat of an effort.  WHich is fun, but there are also times I just want to listen to the best quality without messing with a record.  CD's are for that, and CD's are easily shareable.  

How is vinyl better than the best quality digital unless you want the auditory artifacts and the crackling etc?

JKestle

dwjmu84 said:

How is vinyl better than the best quality digital unless you want the auditory artifacts and the crackling etc?

If that's your experience with vinyl, you're not doing it right.

JeBurkhardt

I like Cds because I can listen to them in my work computer. Our network blocks streaming services and the building I work in has no cell signal, so unless I download a bunch of music to my phone to listen to offline, I am pretty limited. 

dwjmu84

JeBurkhardt said:

I like Cds because I can listen to them in my work computer. Our network blocks streaming services and the building I work in has no cell signal, so unless I download a bunch of music to my phone to listen to offline, I am pretty limited. 

Your company/office uses computers with CD drives?

I don't think I've seen such a thing since 2012.  Weird.

I'm not sure I've held a CD in my hand since maybe 2010. I mean...you literally cannot buy cars with CD players (and it's been that way for a handful of years).  I'm just so fascinated by the idea of people buying/using them.