Dan Boland 19 Sep 05

The White Stripes put �Blue Orchid� up at iTMS a mere two weeks after it was recorded to combat this trend. Maybe that sort of just-in-time release is the wave of the future.

But isn’t that how it used to be before record labels realized that they could milk album sales by stretching the amount of time between singles?

Jamie 19 Sep 05

It’ll be interesting to see if iTMS evolves into a marketing platform rather than just simply a music store.

Jim Remsik 19 Sep 05

iTMS is already a marketing platform. A number of artists offer exclusive tracks to iTMS users, now concert pre-sales and don’t forget the Pepsi Partnership. Apple provided the vehicle and they are ready to take you for a ride.

That said I use iTunes and don’t plan to change. I’ll simply avoid the marketing as much as I can.

Mathew Patterson 19 Sep 05

That said I use iTunes and don�t plan to change. I�ll simply avoid the marketing as much as I can.

You’re already using it: the key bit of marketing already worked :)

One thing that Itunes seemed to promise, but I have not seen the benefit of yet, is more exposure for less well known artists. Even though I could potentially listen to snippets from thousands of bands I never heard, I don’t.

I have only really bought bands I already knew about, or heard about from other sources. I’d like to see an Itunes version of Amazon’s personal page, which shows me bands I might like based on my purchase history.

Michal Migurski 19 Sep 05

Dan++.

I was under the impression that 20-30 years ago, major bands routinely cranked out multiple albums per-year with an extremely rapid feedback loop between audience & studio. I think only RIAA-backed acts and artistes with day jobs can afford to sit on a release for months at a time, and it’s always been the case in underground music circles to see releases and performances of music-in-progress early and often.

Adam Hopkinson 19 Sep 05

A similar thing happened with the recent release of “War of the Worlds” - Spielberg didn’t want it leaked, so didn’t hold a press screening until two days before public release. This normally only happens when the distributor knows a film is rubbish and doesn’t want the press announcing the fact. Journalists read into this, and decided the film was going to be poor.

Didn’t see it, so can’t comment!

DaleV 19 Sep 05

Mathew: RE: finding new bands … .

It’s really more about the ability to do it faster and without so much guesswork. A lot of times I hear someone talk about a band or a song and I do a quick search on iTunes (instead of waiting until I am at a ‘record store’). If it’s there, I can get a sample to see if my friends taste is still good. ;-)

A more relevant answer to your question is that I find the iMix listing in the right column to be a great way to discover tasty new music. Click on a newer band that you know and like, then see what iMixes people have included them on. Typically there are songs and artists in there that I like too, but would have never come in contact with … . serving, in a way, like the Amazon feature.

Craig Bovis 19 Sep 05

AdamH: Great film, you should see it :)

Darrel 19 Sep 05

I’ve been wondering for a while why Apple hasn’t jumped into the Ticket Sales racket.

I like the pre-sale idea, but think it’d be even greater if I could just buy the tickets via the iTMS. I imagine there’s the whole ‘management monopoly’ issue that TicketMaster has…

One thing that Itunes seemed to promise, but I have not seen the benefit of yet, is more exposure for less well known artists. Even though I could potentially listen to snippets from thousands of bands I never heard, I don�t.

I think that’s really where podcasting will come to its full potential. I believe Apple already produces a ‘new on iTunes’ podcast, does it not? Having a full fledged Apple radio station is perhaps the next step.

Thomas Baekdal 19 Sep 05

- “Maybe that sort of just-in-time release is the wave of the future”

Actually, some have speculated that the next revolution is going to be the end of albums. Artists will simple release induvidual songs as they are made.

We, the consumers, are already starting this trend, since most buys single songs instead of complete albums.

pk 19 Sep 05

i am a complete sucker: i bought the album the moment i got the email from apple. was kind of hoping for a ticket discount; ticketmaster’s prices are ridiculous.

my boyfriend and i choked last week because their service charges for franz ferdinand tickets at the metro nearly doubled the base price. we decided not to go.

Craig 02 Oct 05

You lot are lucky I’m flying over from England to be in NYC for DM. I haven’t got a ticket though and this itunes deal only applies to US addresses, so unless I’m lucky when they go on general sale, I’ve had it. Hopefully they’ll be ticket touts on the night. My view on this in general is not a good one anyway, there still people without access to PC’s etc, so what about the Mode fans amongst that section. I’m lucky I can fly over and “take a chance” others aren’t as fortunate.