Timmy84 said:

rialb said:

I kind of shake my head when artists start bemoaning the death of the album as an art form, particularly if we are talking about pop music. So many albums from the '50s to the present are, at best, two or three singles and a bunch of filler. Sometimes you just get one good song on an album. Of course there are exceptions but some of these "artists" that are crying about how their "art" is being compromised would be better off crafting stronger albums. I think that the return of affordable singles is a great thing for consumers. The majority of people out there do not want to buy the new Rihanna album and listen to the whole thing all the way through. They just want the hit singles. Not all artists are capable of creating a whole album of worthwhile music and I don't understand why they should try. If you've got a killer song put it out and hopefully people will buy it. I'm glad that the days of being "forced" to buy a full album to get one song are gone. Of course the problem is trying to put the genie back in the bottle as far as "free" music is concerned. That bell probably can not be unrung but as I said the labels have to blame themselves for being so slow to adapt.

On the subject of exclusive tracks I find that to be one of the more infuriating aspects of the modern music business. I still buy lots of cd's but that is one instance where I feel completely justified in "stealing" music. If I already bought the darn album I am not going to buy it again just to get a few extra tracks.

I said it earlier, some folks here were spoiled with what they think were great albums and are disappointed when other artists produce garbage but that's been going on since recorded music came into play a century ago.

but in that respect people now are spoiled into thinking they are obligated to things, fuck that, music is subjective, and always was, i saved money to by an album and everyone should have to deal with that, if you dont want to spend ten bucks what can i tell you dont, i think people just feel that because music is basically free not legally but free to get that they should always have it that way. Todays listener is spoiled to the point of almost having the artist come to their home and sing for them, with 90 second previews and free tracks etc...people just need to deal with it, its not a necessity and stop acting like it is, its subjective. As far as albums its more the artists statement rather than what the people like or dont like, i know i would have an issue with writing a play or film and someone thinking they could take a piece of it and then judge, thats what its become now.

and meanwhile more tours dates have been added and the digital releases go to the streets sunday night

Fuck the album, I can't believe how insane the ticket prices are. $250 for floor and even some 1st level seats??? Love you Jay but you got me fucked up.

Watch the Throne’ reportedly has broke the US iTunes’ seven-day sales record last week after selling nearly 290,000 downloads since Aug. 8. The album was sold exclusively through Apple’s digital store until Aug. 12 when ‘WTT’ was available at both digital and brick-and-mortar stores. Jay-Z and West’s album bested the previous record holder Coldplay when the group’s 2008 album ‘Viva La Vida Or Death and All His Friends’ moved 288,000 total downloads in its first week, including sales from all other retailers.

Meanwhile, Jay-Z has announced that he will close out the first night of the iHeartRadio Music Festival, which is being held at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas on September 23-24. The rap king joins an impressive list of performers including Nicki Minaj, Usher, Lady Gaga, Jennifer Lopez, John Mayer, Bruno Mars, Carrie Underwood, Black Eyed Peas, Rascal Flatts, Alicia Keys, Sting and so many more.

getxxxx said:

I dont think anyone doubted a number one debut and a 400,000 mark, next week will see the huge decline, probably about 60-70% the key will be can the album have a life after a month.

I just realized these fools are totally biting what Nas and Damian Marley did with Distant Relatives. Although throne will be more commercially successful, what I've heard can't hold a candle to the lyrical content and delivery on Relatives. Nas and Jr Gong was in da zone!

[Edited 8/16/11 19:37pm]