Music Bullets, 4-5-07

• Two failed music store owners write a good editorial in the NYT (via Avedon). Maybe I should change this to “Anti-RIAA” bullets?
  
  

  The sad thing is that CDs and downloads could have coexisted peacefully and profitably. The current state of affairs is largely the result of shortsightedness and boneheadedness by the major record labels and the Recording Industry Association of America, who managed to achieve the opposite of everything they wanted in trying to keep the music business prospering. The association is like a gardener who tried to rid his lawn of weeds and wound up killing the trees instead.
  
  In the late ’90s, our business, and the music retail business in general, was booming. Enter Napster, the granddaddy of illegal download sites. How did the major record labels react? By continuing their campaign to eliminate the comparatively unprofitable CD single, raising list prices on album-length CDs to $18 or $19 and promoting artists like the Backstreet Boys and Britney Spears — whose strength was single songs, not albums. The result was a lot of unhappy customers, who blamed retailers like us for the dearth of singles and the high prices.
  
  The recording industry association saw the threat that illegal downloads would pose to CD sales. But rather than working with Napster, it tried to sue the company out of existence — which was like thinking you’ve killed all the roaches in your apartment because you squashed the one you saw in the kitchen. More illegal download sites cropped up faster than the association’s lawyers could say “cease and desist.”
  
  By 2002, it was clear that downloading was affecting music retail stores like ours. Our regulars weren’t coming in as often, and when they did, they weren’t buying as much. Our impulse-buy weekend customers were staying away altogether. And it wasn’t just the independent stores; even big chains like Tower and Musicland were struggling.
  
  Something had to be done to save the record store, a place where hard-core music fans worked, shopped and kibitzed — and, not incidentally, kept the music business’s engine chugging in good times and in lean. Who but these loyalists was going to buy the umpteenth Elton John hits compilation that the major labels were foisting upon them?
  
  But instead, those labels delivered the death blow to the record store as we know it by getting in bed with soulless chain stores like Best Buy and Wal-Mart. These “big boxes” were given exclusive tracks to put on new CDs and, to add insult to injury, they could sell them for less than our wholesale cost. They didn’t care if they didn’t make any money on CD sales. Because, ideally, the person who came in to get the new Eagles release with exclusive bonus material would also decide to pick up a high-speed blender that frappéed.

  Honestly, I hadn't really thought about it like that.

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Music Bullets, 4-2-07

• So how did everybody’s Boycott the RIAA Month go? Mine went swimmingly thanks to some lovely emusic selections. Of course, I cheated and bought $10 of music on iTunes this morning...but nonetheless...
• And speaking of the RIAA, we have (via Avedon a few days ago) David Byrne versus the Music Industry.
• Next we have (via RS) EMI launching “DRM-free superior sound quality downloads.” That can’t be a bad thing. Of course, it’s $1.29 per track, which is a little insane considering that projects out to about $12.90 for an album...a bit much considering you get no hard copy, but I guess any progress is worth noting. (Of course, I accidentally typed “any progress is worth nothing” at first...that might be a more prescient observation...we shall see.)
• Sly & the Family Stone get the reissue treatment! I’ve mentioned that I enjoy Amy Winehouse because of the genres she bends and sculpts together...well, Sly was pretty much the father of genre-bending.

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You can do it!

About a week in to the RIAA boycott rallied by the folks over at Gizmodo.com. So here a little RIAA-free fix to help you break the habit. Just apply to your ears when you get an RIAA craving and fell the relief.

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Give Up the RIAA for Lent

After passing this by The Boy, Good Nonsense decided to help spread the word. March is “Boycott the RIAA” month over at Gizmodo. They are in no way supporting/promoting piracy or anything illegal. Instead, take the month of March to explore your local music scene or check out some of those independent label bands your “indie” friends are always talking about. And if you’re really need a fix of your favorite RIAA artist, find out where they’re playing and make the ever popular road trip. Speaking from experience, they can be legendary – even if it’s just in your own head. The guys at Giz have a strong opinion of the RIAA and their practices. So I encourage you to stand up to the challenge of living RIAA-free for a whole month. I know you’ve got it in you. And don’t forget to tell your friends.

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