Comments on: Surprise, Surprise: CD Sales Continue to Tumble http://www.markevanstech.com/2007/07/05/surprise-surprise-cd-sales-continue-to-tumble/ Insight and Analysis from North of the Border Tue, 02 Dec 2008 02:58:57 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.6.1 By: Kathleen http://www.markevanstech.com/2007/07/05/surprise-surprise-cd-sales-continue-to-tumble/#comment-6257 Kathleen Fri, 06 Jul 2007 13:12:49 +0000 http://markevanstech.com/2007/07/05/surprise-surprise-cd-sales-continue-to-tumble/#comment-6257 For big label pop albums I can completely agree with what you're saying. I don't have any lying around really because I'm almost never willing to pay $20 for one or two good songs when I can buy the single online. I own several really good albums from smaller labels though (Arts and Crafts, Touch and Go, etc). A lot of great songs will never be hit singles. I think the difference between label size and overall album quality has to do with the fact the smaller indie band labels aren't usually looking for one hit single and using filler for the rest. They probably wait until the band has enough material for an album and then go from there. For big label pop albums I can completely agree with what you’re saying. I don’t have any lying around really because I’m almost never willing to pay $20 for one or two good songs when I can buy the single online.

I own several really good albums from smaller labels though (Arts and Crafts, Touch and Go, etc). A lot of great songs will never be hit singles. I think the difference between label size and overall album quality has to do with the fact the smaller indie band labels aren’t usually looking for one hit single and using filler for the rest. They probably wait until the band has enough material for an album and then go from there.

]]> By: Ramjee http://www.markevanstech.com/2007/07/05/surprise-surprise-cd-sales-continue-to-tumble/#comment-6255 Ramjee Fri, 06 Jul 2007 10:37:33 +0000 http://markevanstech.com/2007/07/05/surprise-surprise-cd-sales-continue-to-tumble/#comment-6255 I am surprised the music companies don't get this simple thing. In the days of cassettes the Radio charts were more popular. In the days of CD's and DVD's the hit lists are more popular than an album. Infact even for the same artist a compilation of hit songs sells more than an album with o1-2 hit items. Why don't they listen to this fundamental market feedback. Give the customer what they want. They want to have the choice of best songs. Give them that. Don't try to sell crap with one good piece. It will not work out. Good post. (though its not that much a surprise except for the folks in the music industry). I am surprised the music companies don’t get this simple thing.
In the days of cassettes the Radio charts were more popular. In the days of CD’s and DVD’s the hit lists are more popular than an album. Infact even for the same artist a compilation of hit songs sells more than an album with o1-2 hit items.
Why don’t they listen to this fundamental market feedback. Give the customer what they want. They want to have the choice of best songs. Give them that. Don’t try to sell crap with one good piece. It will not work out.

Good post. (though its not that much a surprise except for the folks in the music industry).

]]> By: Anonymous http://www.markevanstech.com/2007/07/05/surprise-surprise-cd-sales-continue-to-tumble/#comment-6253 Anonymous Thu, 05 Jul 2007 23:39:49 +0000 http://markevanstech.com/2007/07/05/surprise-surprise-cd-sales-continue-to-tumble/#comment-6253 The last point you made about buying only the singles is spot on. That is what is really killing the CD. But not just the CD, remember back to cassette tapes? Kids were always rewinding and fast forwarding through the crap songs in between the songs they liked. CD made it easier to skip through that of course, but artists can't be expected to put out solid albums where all songs are hits that everyone likes. Artists and record companies should just focus on giving their artists as many hit singles as possible and if they have a lot of them, put them in a greatest hits CD eventually. The last point you made about buying only the singles is spot on. That is what is really killing the CD. But not just the CD, remember back to cassette tapes? Kids were always rewinding and fast forwarding through the crap songs in between the songs they liked. CD made it easier to skip through that of course, but artists can’t be expected to put out solid albums where all songs are hits that everyone likes. Artists and record companies should just focus on giving their artists as many hit singles as possible and if they have a lot of them, put them in a greatest hits CD eventually.

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