It's not like people are smashing their Guitar Hero controllers, screaming for the real thing. This isn't disco, there isn't the same backlash. But they also aren't camping out for the next release, the latest track-pack or plastic instrument. Because this neverbecame the iPad, limited-edition sneaker or Star Wars mega-release. It's just a game with lots of plastic parts, all of which will gather more and more dust as the years go by.
And that is a huge problem for this industry. Because over the past ten years or so, the music business has rifled through one fad format after another. Some of these actually caught fire amongst consumers; most just got hyped inside the business. But it seems like every 'replacement,' 'savior,' or 'revolutionary' whatever has quietly faded into flatness.
Just insert category here. In the middle of the ringtone inferno, the thought was that the billions would flow forever. As paid downloads soared upward, the thought was that iTunes would utterly eclipse the physical peaks of before. As OTA downloads started catching fire in Asia and Europe, the thought was that people would pay $2.50 (or much more) for a mobile full-track, just for the convenience and immediacy of it all. As podcasts...
...need I go on? It's not that these weren't worthwhile experiments. Because anyone who claims to know that the ringtone was coming—and then going just as fast—is probably full of it. Multi-billion dollar industries are frequently borne of experimentation and let's face it, complete accidents. But the deeper issue is whether music—as an industry—can rediscover a reliable format like the CD, one that spans decades and supports a healthy, growing business. Or, if the death of scarcity also spells the death of something as reliable.
And, whether there's just too much hype surrounding newer formats like cloud-based subscriptions or apps. Perhaps we need to see these experiments through, but maybe with a healthier and more measured mindset. Because there may never be another CD, and maybe that's okay.
I can live with a smaller industry. Can you?
And that is a huge problem for this industry. Because over the past ten years or so, the music business has rifled through one fad format after another. Some of these actually caught fire amongst consumers; most just got hyped inside the business. But it seems like every 'replacement,' 'savior,' or 'revolutionary' whatever has quietly faded into flatness.
Just insert category here. In the middle of the ringtone inferno, the thought was that the billions would flow forever. As paid downloads soared upward, the thought was that iTunes would utterly eclipse the physical peaks of before. As OTA downloads started catching fire in Asia and Europe, the thought was that people would pay $2.50 (or much more) for a mobile full-track, just for the convenience and immediacy of it all. As podcasts...
...need I go on? It's not that these weren't worthwhile experiments. Because anyone who claims to know that the ringtone was coming—and then going just as fast—is probably full of it. Multi-billion dollar industries are frequently borne of experimentation and let's face it, complete accidents. But the deeper issue is whether music—as an industry—can rediscover a reliable format like the CD, one that spans decades and supports a healthy, growing business. Or, if the death of scarcity also spells the death of something as reliable.
And, whether there's just too much hype surrounding newer formats like cloud-based subscriptions or apps. Perhaps we need to see these experiments through, but maybe with a healthier and more measured mindset. Because there may never be another CD, and maybe that's okay.
I can live with a smaller industry. Can you?
