The "smash hit" that never was?
I was reading this article in Pitchfork Media about a single by a group called the Cloud Room. The name of the single is "Hey Now Now" and apparently the group's record label thought it was such a sure-fire hit that they had the band hastily record an album, even though they hadn't yet written an ablum's worth of material. Then they had to engage in some form of negotiations with various radio stations in different markets, trying to convince or induce them to play the single.
After reading this, it just reinforces my decision that I want nothing to do with this type of system. Of course, after reading about what a great song it is, I had to hear it for myself, and I have to honestly say that I don't think it was worth all that trouble. Yes, it's a good catchy song, but it's a bit too repetitive for me. I certainly wouldn't put it in the category of great, finely crafted, melodic singles of the past. When I think of great pop/rock singles, I think of Sugar's "If I Can't Change Your Mind", just about any single by Oasis, maybe even Natalie Imbruglia's "Torn"--and I know there must be many other better and more current examples, maybe something by the New Pornographers. This one seems like something that could certainly get a lot of radio airplay, but it strikes me as the type of single that is played ad nausium and then completely forgotten until years later when people are asking "hey remember that, whatever happened to them?" You or someone you know will probably have that album, which you only bought for the single, and which quickly gets lost in the rest of your record collection.
I guess I just can't believe that bands are still forced to do this, especially by a label that gives the impression of being more artist-friendly. Give the musicians some time to write and craft more good material, and hopefully a much more substantive and cohesive album. If there's a great single on there, it will find its way to a larger audience in due course. Maybe they should have focused more on internet and satellite radio(apparently they've finally come to that realization), as well as sending it out to every music blog. Then let the band tour and build a more solid audience.
Whatever, wtf do I know anyway. You can decide for yourself if it was worth it--click here.
On the other hand, Headphone Sex has a good track by a newish group called Voxtrot. I think I like this one better, as far as indie pop singles go. A little more to sink my teeth into. Also check the December 3 entry at Hushreality, a song called "Lemons From Lemonaid" by the Celebrity Pilots. I think I like this one even more.
After reading this, it just reinforces my decision that I want nothing to do with this type of system. Of course, after reading about what a great song it is, I had to hear it for myself, and I have to honestly say that I don't think it was worth all that trouble. Yes, it's a good catchy song, but it's a bit too repetitive for me. I certainly wouldn't put it in the category of great, finely crafted, melodic singles of the past. When I think of great pop/rock singles, I think of Sugar's "If I Can't Change Your Mind", just about any single by Oasis, maybe even Natalie Imbruglia's "Torn"--and I know there must be many other better and more current examples, maybe something by the New Pornographers. This one seems like something that could certainly get a lot of radio airplay, but it strikes me as the type of single that is played ad nausium and then completely forgotten until years later when people are asking "hey remember that, whatever happened to them?" You or someone you know will probably have that album, which you only bought for the single, and which quickly gets lost in the rest of your record collection.
I guess I just can't believe that bands are still forced to do this, especially by a label that gives the impression of being more artist-friendly. Give the musicians some time to write and craft more good material, and hopefully a much more substantive and cohesive album. If there's a great single on there, it will find its way to a larger audience in due course. Maybe they should have focused more on internet and satellite radio(apparently they've finally come to that realization), as well as sending it out to every music blog. Then let the band tour and build a more solid audience.
Whatever, wtf do I know anyway. You can decide for yourself if it was worth it--click here.
On the other hand, Headphone Sex has a good track by a newish group called Voxtrot. I think I like this one better, as far as indie pop singles go. A little more to sink my teeth into. Also check the December 3 entry at Hushreality, a song called "Lemons From Lemonaid" by the Celebrity Pilots. I think I like this one even more.
posted by michael at 11:57 AM
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