Album Sales Slipping. So what?
Many sites are reporting a major slip in album sales in 2006. To that, I say so what? I think it highlights the “splintering of tastes” as Andy Baio put it. That, coupled with the ease of getting music online (legitimate means and piracy) certainly contribute to the decline in “traditional” sales of albums.
Worry not RIAA. The appreciation of music isn’t on the decline, but a la carte purchasing will certainly cripple CD sales. When singers/songwriters learn that a 12-track album with only 1 or 2 decent hits won’t sell anymore, maybe we’ll see an incline in quality albums. Until then, people will purchase only the tracks they like, or will find other means of getting what they like. Consumerism today isn’t what it used to be. We are no longer tied to a specific format and we will not be force-fed DRM.
December 29th, 2006 at 3:03 am
I noticed I didn’t buy as many CD’s this year as I traditionally do.
That probably had more to do with my purchasing a satellite radio than anything else.
I also noticed I’m buying more “best of” compilation albums……..like you said, I’m tired of buying CD’s that have only one or two songs I like.
Also, there’s a sharp decline in music quality, and that has more to do with music executives only signing good looking artists, and overlooking those with real talent (someone like Lyle Lovett).
Tim McGraw may drive women wild with his looks, but he can’t sing worth a damn!
December 30th, 2006 at 3:57 pm
I do occasionally buy CD’s, but i try to find good quality CD’s. I agree with Chris though, I just switched to Satellite radio, so thats probably all I will listen to in my Truck. Consumers have so many more options of entertainment now, so the consumer dollar is being divided up.
I have never thought Lyle Lovett was talented though, and it doesnt get better than Tim McGraw singing “Refried Dreams”
December 30th, 2006 at 11:08 pm
See, these two comments serve to provide evidence that there can be no accounting for taste. Everyone has their own preference. :p
May 4th, 2007 at 7:15 pm
Paste magazine had an article recently about album sales. Interestingly, sales stats don’t factor in the shift of sales to iTunes or other online outlets. Nor do they factor in sales from indie labels.
Just goes to prove that stats, just like blogs, can prove whatever you want them to.
And yes, I’ve missed you to.