WARNER Music Group (WMG) is to begin releasing music by artists in “clusters” of three or four tracks rather than as whole albums, heralding the first big shift away from the record industry’s traditional business model.

Edgar Bronfman Jr yesterday revealed plans to create an “e-label” that would rely on digital downloads instead of compact discs that, if successful, would fundamentally change the way in which the record industry distributes music. The new business model will involve artists releasing batches of three or more tracks every few months, rather than producing an album every year or two. Initially, it will target artists that are either emerging or those that are past their prime but with a small number of dedicated fans.

"We want to experiment with any and all business models,” Mr Bronfman said. A spokesman for WMG, whose artists include Madonna and James Blunt, had no plans to stop selling big- budget studio albums. The yet-to-be-named label will be led by Jack Holzman, the legendary music executive who founded the iconic Elektra Records. Its launch is a response to falling sales of CDs, partly due to an explosion in music piracy in recent years, and the massive popularity of internet downloads, both legitimate and counterfeit.

Music companies have already dabbled in alternative formats such as double-sided and copy-protected discs, but WMG is the first to propose abandoning the album altogether.

The new e-label also offers a possible solution to delays in big releases, a problem for listed music companies, where delays can lead to revenue “slippage” and downgrades from market analysts. EMI was severely punished by the City this year when two major releases by Coldplay and Gorillaz were not released during the first half of the financial year, as expected.

Source: The Times.
[Edited 8/24/05 12:59pm]

I'm all for shorter releases, but I still think most mp3's sound like crap.

Oh no.

And Madonna won't allow her music to be licensed online, so will she be banned completely?

Ellie said:

This has been posted and I thought the same thing (althoug I don't know why she won't let her songs loose on Itunues but the woman knows, so let her be...).

This sentence clears things up.

[img]Initially, it will target artists that are either emerging or those that are past their prime but with a small number of dedicated fans. [/img]

It's an experiment that will probably not do well. They aren't going to gamble with a possible cashcow Madonna release, especially this one which sounds more promising than anything she has put out in a while.

she's just waiting til 35 years after the release of the albums.

isn't that when the masters are turned over?

and it's probably the same reason she destorys any costume she doesn't turn over to a museusm or similar type place, she wants to control her image and legend and how people access it.

ehuffnsd said:

What a crap idea. She'll never have something as glorious as this: http://www.theartscentre.net.au/kylie/

wow...this is just straight stupid....

sosgemini said:

for real...

ehuffnsd said:

They could call them EPs

Ellie said:

Really? I'm suree she will cahneg her mind or else her comeback could be in trouble. the billboard charts are based on airplay AND digital sales? unless she can pull some HUGE airplay numbers than she will not stand a chance on the charts without digital sales?



.
[Edited 8/24/05 22:57pm]

But I love the idea of my favourite artists releasing new tracks every few months, but I agree before they can do that they need to improve the sound quality of digital downloads

Hopefully this goes the way of the mini-disc and digital tape and never catches on.

twink69 said:

Like people like James Brown and Miles Davis used to do.

Please people, the music industry is not that old and the way music was released in our days is certainly not representive over how artists used to release their stuff before our time.

Just see it as being part of a huge musical revolution. One of the side effects of the digital age is that musicians emancipate themselves. So more power to them.

Considering that a lot of people are sick of paying almost $20 on an CD albums with only a small number of tracks being any good at all, I think it's a wonderful idea for single-driven artists.

Beside, only real composers (Stevie Wonder, Prince, etc.) should be allow to still release albums anyway!!!

As for rap/hip-hop, electronic dance, & pop artists, an EP-style of format with just 4 tracks is a way better investment. Besides, a hit single of the moment is all they're good at anyway.

Think about it.

TonyVanDam said:

Logic, my friend. It's all based on logic. Yer right too.

TonyVanDam said:

I think anyone who wants to put out an album should be allowed to do so. Whether it sells or not is not my concern.

HamsterHuey said:

Not to be touchy, but logic has little or nothing to do with music or art of any form.

Albums are an artform unto themselves. I have trouble appreciating my scupture in pieces or my books as cliff notes.

GangstaFam said:

Some albums are an artform, as those are the artists you are focused on mostly, you think all albums are artforms, even if they are just fodder filler made to sell?

Mmm'kay. That is one opinion.







Touch-y.

Ooh, and

HamsterHuey said:

I'm not the one who deletes their accounts when they're feeling pissed off.

Goo-ey.

GangstaFam said:

TWICE!



I can feel a third time coming on.

MUD FIIIIGHT!

you guys aren't fighting,are you?

HamsterHuey said:

Ya gotta backup account set up?

DavidEye said:

No. I'm not anyway. Just playing along.

GangstaFam said:

About four, of course. I cannot go a week without posting pics of myself, you know me.

GangstaFam said:

If given a chance, I would have SAT on you and smothered you.

Oh my.

I have to log off
Images flash through my head...

Sitting on top of Gangsta...

:swoon:

Smothering him...

With kissesssss

HamsterHuey said:

So I can add murderer to the list along with liar and thief?