I've been buying downloads for quite some time. I even remember when the best bit rate you could get was 128kbps. Those were the days, right?. But, with the rise of the online digital music stores has come the quest for better fidelity of Mp3s.
Most music downloads are encoded at at least 320kbps which yields a much better sound quality. I know that to many, Mp3s appear to sound just as good as CD or WAV files, but the compression process used to convert WAV files into Mp3s, does so by extracting or removing a portion of the audio in order to shrink the file's size. The result is, that some of the sound is then missing. While it is true the the missing sound is mostly in the higher frequencies, the discerning ear can still tell. This is what is known as a lossy conversion. What has been coming onto the digital music download scene in the past several years is the lossless conversion process. File formats include, Monkey's Audio or Ape, Wavepack, ATRAC, TTA, Apple Lossless, Windows Media Lossless and the one I think is the odds on favorite, FLAC.
FLAC stands for free lossless audio codec. I think that I like it because it works just like a Zip file, except that it is designed for audio. With FLAC, a WAV file can be reduced by 50 to 60% of it's original size, and when it's decoded, it yields the the exact amount of data that went into it. The bonus with FLAC is, that the file can also be played back just as it is. And, the sound is the same as the sound of the file it was made from.
I've talked about FLAC before, but technology is always moving forward, and since FLAC is an open source technology, more and more emusic stores and music software developers are sure to be adopting it, especially as word begins to spread about FLAC's attributes and demand for better sound quality continues to increase.
While losseless file technology may not be very sexy or exciting, it will mean some great changes that are good for music consumers. At some point, you'll be able to get the exact music files that the artist always intended to sell. You'll also be able to play your download immediately, or have the ability to convert it to the original while keeping the compressed file for your archives. Think of it, all of the great music that's been hard to find, not only discovered online, but downloaded and played back in your car or living room with the quality that was always intended.
Monday, April 2, 2012
Monday, March 12, 2012
Whatever Happened To R&B
I guess everyone's first reaction to that question would be, nothing. Personally, I beg to differ. I wrote about this topic before and felt I needed to revisit it. Sure, there are many new artists who release music under the banner of R&B, but if you give a listen, much of that music will usually belong in a genre or maybe a sub-genre all it's own.
Rap and Hip Hop artist actually prefer the name Rap or Hip Hop to describe what they do. So, why is it that when you search for R&B that you keep coming up with Neo Soul, Rap, Hip Hop, and even Nu Jazz? Who can say, right?
I figure that what's been going on for at least the past 20 years or so, is a redefining of the R&B genre, in an effort to put and then keep Rap and Hip Hop at the for front of popular music. I say this because it is my contention that the need of Rap and Hip Hop to constantly present new faces, bares a need for that style of music to stretch from it's boundaries on occasion, in order to maintain it's lofty profile.
Not to mention the fact that some artists who sing, and like the beats and rhymes, may want to incorporate that into what they're doing. This has given rise to a change in what is considered as R&B. Known for it's uptempo grooves and earthy singing styles, R&B is now more a ballad genre.
In the early 1990s,The vocal group Boys II Men became the prototype for what an R&B band should be. At first some of their music featured what was known as New Jack Swing, which was uptempo music with a Rap style groove, and singing with possibly a Rap in the middle eight instead of an instrument solo. But, that quickly changed as they became known for their vocal prowess on songs such as Hard To Say Goodbye and End Of The Road. In fact, it's my opinion that, that same success was the inspiration for the Boy Band/Girl Band phenomenon.
Toward the end of the 90s, the tempo began to slow and a jazzy feel soon appeared. Vocals were being sung to what I like to think of as quasi melodies. The result was a combination of Hip Hop and 70s instrumentation. The style has been successful for artist like Anthony Hamilton, DeAngelo, Ericka Badyu, and Jaheim. While they are all very talented artists, what they are doing should be thought of more as Neo Soul rather than as true R&B.
What is true R&B? I could name a few artists whose names would be instantly familiar. But, so many people are capable of doing the music, even as I write this. I think that giving a list of past artists who were successful would only be giving weight to nostalgia. If that is true, then maybe R&B is an old sound that needs to be left behind. But, I know that isn't true or the artists whose names I mentioned above wouldn't be using so much of the sound within their own music.
What I think has actually been going on is an attempt to get R&B lovers to listen to and maybe embrace Rap and Hip Hop. For, after thirty years of being on the scene and then being prominent within the market place, older music listening and buying audiences, especially older Black audiences still refuse to accept or embrace the sound. To many older Black audiences, even Neo Soul may be viewed as a commercial half step. But, that's just my opinion, I could be wrong. But, the truth may remain and may always be, that ain't nothing like the real thing.
Rap and Hip Hop artist actually prefer the name Rap or Hip Hop to describe what they do. So, why is it that when you search for R&B that you keep coming up with Neo Soul, Rap, Hip Hop, and even Nu Jazz? Who can say, right?
I figure that what's been going on for at least the past 20 years or so, is a redefining of the R&B genre, in an effort to put and then keep Rap and Hip Hop at the for front of popular music. I say this because it is my contention that the need of Rap and Hip Hop to constantly present new faces, bares a need for that style of music to stretch from it's boundaries on occasion, in order to maintain it's lofty profile.
Not to mention the fact that some artists who sing, and like the beats and rhymes, may want to incorporate that into what they're doing. This has given rise to a change in what is considered as R&B. Known for it's uptempo grooves and earthy singing styles, R&B is now more a ballad genre.
In the early 1990s,The vocal group Boys II Men became the prototype for what an R&B band should be. At first some of their music featured what was known as New Jack Swing, which was uptempo music with a Rap style groove, and singing with possibly a Rap in the middle eight instead of an instrument solo. But, that quickly changed as they became known for their vocal prowess on songs such as Hard To Say Goodbye and End Of The Road. In fact, it's my opinion that, that same success was the inspiration for the Boy Band/Girl Band phenomenon.
Toward the end of the 90s, the tempo began to slow and a jazzy feel soon appeared. Vocals were being sung to what I like to think of as quasi melodies. The result was a combination of Hip Hop and 70s instrumentation. The style has been successful for artist like Anthony Hamilton, DeAngelo, Ericka Badyu, and Jaheim. While they are all very talented artists, what they are doing should be thought of more as Neo Soul rather than as true R&B.
What is true R&B? I could name a few artists whose names would be instantly familiar. But, so many people are capable of doing the music, even as I write this. I think that giving a list of past artists who were successful would only be giving weight to nostalgia. If that is true, then maybe R&B is an old sound that needs to be left behind. But, I know that isn't true or the artists whose names I mentioned above wouldn't be using so much of the sound within their own music.
What I think has actually been going on is an attempt to get R&B lovers to listen to and maybe embrace Rap and Hip Hop. For, after thirty years of being on the scene and then being prominent within the market place, older music listening and buying audiences, especially older Black audiences still refuse to accept or embrace the sound. To many older Black audiences, even Neo Soul may be viewed as a commercial half step. But, that's just my opinion, I could be wrong. But, the truth may remain and may always be, that ain't nothing like the real thing.
Monday, February 27, 2012
For The Good Times
For the longest time, I tried not to become one of those people who went constantly digging into their stack of old records, or in this case CDs. But, as fate would have it, several years ago, music shifted from being very melodic to being overly rhythmic, and a good song that stayed on my mind could only mostly be found amongst my oldies.
So, what do you do when your favorite band or artist has fallen from the mainstream market place. Brick and mortar, mostly your mom and pop (if there are any left) have always been a good source for new releases from independents and lesser know acts, as well as releases from big name artists whose sound no longer fits into the mainstream.
Of, course the internet has become an almost invaluable resource for finding just about anything that's ever been recorded. In fact, I recently discovered while online, that one of my favorite bands, Earth Wind & Fire released a new single called, Guiding Lights from their soon to be released album "Now, Then, and Forever." The album is a single disc retrospective that features selections by some of the bands more famous fans.
They've been making music for about 40 years and are just one example of what can be found that is no longer considered as "mainstream." There are many artists who release new music from time to time and haven't been on a major label for some time. The question is why. Why can't those artist get the attention of a major label anymore? What is it about the mainstream? Why does it change? Why can't there be a place for everyone with a viable product?
I'm sure I've said this or something like this before, and I could say this till I'm blue in the face, but I think that it's worth repeating. Popular music is marketed to a specific demographic. That demographic is age 14 to 24 years and possibly female. The idea is that this segment of the population has a lot of what is known as disposable cash. This is said to be money that a family has after everything has been taken care of. For the target market demographic, this could be money from their allowances, savings, babysitting or grass cutting jobs, maybe even snow shoveling and/or car washing jobs. Any money that's not needed to take care of necessities. That, I think would also include working part time at McDonald's.
That takes care of the money part. The other part, is appealing to those who are between the ages of 14 to 24. Style and appearance are right at the top, right along with anything that is already a trend. And, if there isn't a trend, then one is created. Sometimes a touch of androgyny is used, not to blur any lines, but to create a subtle or almost subliminal or psychological appeal. People in this demographic, especially at the younger end, are believed to be more impressionable and susceptible to sexually suggestive images.
Add to that the need to appear, or be perceived as hip or cool, and an artist coming on the scene with the right combination of the above, coupled with a lot of major label promotion muscle, and "ta dow," you've got yourself an overnight sensation. If you've noticed, I didn't say very much about the music.
It's just my opinion, but it would seem that music is or has become the last and least important part of the whole equation. Music, in my opinion, has become something that, maybe only someone who is 25 and over would care about. And, after you've fallen from the market demographic, the majors aren't selling to you anymore.
So it would seem, that at some point, the majors stop selling to you, and what you hear on the radio is not what you want to hear. Then, sooner or later, you find yourself digging through that sack of old CDs or Mp3s, trying to find that certain something that the mainstream sound just doesn't seem to offer. But, if that happens to you, don't worry. It doesn't mean that you're getting old or that you're becoming your parents. You're just longing for the good times.
So, what do you do when your favorite band or artist has fallen from the mainstream market place. Brick and mortar, mostly your mom and pop (if there are any left) have always been a good source for new releases from independents and lesser know acts, as well as releases from big name artists whose sound no longer fits into the mainstream.
Of, course the internet has become an almost invaluable resource for finding just about anything that's ever been recorded. In fact, I recently discovered while online, that one of my favorite bands, Earth Wind & Fire released a new single called, Guiding Lights from their soon to be released album "Now, Then, and Forever." The album is a single disc retrospective that features selections by some of the bands more famous fans.
They've been making music for about 40 years and are just one example of what can be found that is no longer considered as "mainstream." There are many artists who release new music from time to time and haven't been on a major label for some time. The question is why. Why can't those artist get the attention of a major label anymore? What is it about the mainstream? Why does it change? Why can't there be a place for everyone with a viable product?
I'm sure I've said this or something like this before, and I could say this till I'm blue in the face, but I think that it's worth repeating. Popular music is marketed to a specific demographic. That demographic is age 14 to 24 years and possibly female. The idea is that this segment of the population has a lot of what is known as disposable cash. This is said to be money that a family has after everything has been taken care of. For the target market demographic, this could be money from their allowances, savings, babysitting or grass cutting jobs, maybe even snow shoveling and/or car washing jobs. Any money that's not needed to take care of necessities. That, I think would also include working part time at McDonald's.
That takes care of the money part. The other part, is appealing to those who are between the ages of 14 to 24. Style and appearance are right at the top, right along with anything that is already a trend. And, if there isn't a trend, then one is created. Sometimes a touch of androgyny is used, not to blur any lines, but to create a subtle or almost subliminal or psychological appeal. People in this demographic, especially at the younger end, are believed to be more impressionable and susceptible to sexually suggestive images.
Add to that the need to appear, or be perceived as hip or cool, and an artist coming on the scene with the right combination of the above, coupled with a lot of major label promotion muscle, and "ta dow," you've got yourself an overnight sensation. If you've noticed, I didn't say very much about the music.
It's just my opinion, but it would seem that music is or has become the last and least important part of the whole equation. Music, in my opinion, has become something that, maybe only someone who is 25 and over would care about. And, after you've fallen from the market demographic, the majors aren't selling to you anymore.
So it would seem, that at some point, the majors stop selling to you, and what you hear on the radio is not what you want to hear. Then, sooner or later, you find yourself digging through that sack of old CDs or Mp3s, trying to find that certain something that the mainstream sound just doesn't seem to offer. But, if that happens to you, don't worry. It doesn't mean that you're getting old or that you're becoming your parents. You're just longing for the good times.
Monday, February 20, 2012
When Will It Be?
The world is still waiting for it's first internet music superstar. The only question is, when will it ever happen?
The internet, while being created in the early 1960s, only gave birth to the World Wide Web a mere twenty years ago. While the technology continues to grow at a very rapid pace, the more traditional communications mediums, such a Radio and Television have been around for far longer and still hold sway with consumers in the mainstream market place.
The first band to post a million downloads was the band, Fisher back in 2000. This got the attention of a major label and landed the band a record deal. However, the success that they had online didn't translate to brick and mortar, as the size of there fan base came from a wide and varied, global audience.
While 2011 was indeed the year that digital music began to make an impact, still the artist whose music contributed to it's greater success launched their careers through the use of those more traditional forms of media. In fact all major artists enjoy the promotion power that signing with a major label can bring.
The success of Adele and Lady Gaga, as well as last year's first million selling album by Lady Antebellum was the product of major label promotional muscle. It is true, if you are an independent artist able to travel the world touring, that it is possible to build huge fan base. But, by so doing, your audience will have been built from thousands of miles of travel and countless numbers of live performances, and not by anything more than maybe a few days of advance notice either from Radio, Television, or the Internet. And, while you may gain a great deal of notoriety, stardom or super stardom may not necessarily come along for the ride.
Maybe, the concept of star, or super star actually negates ones efforts as a musician, or singer/songwriter and plays host to something that is obviously more fleeting, like fame. Most music legends endured a certain amount of struggle on their journey to the top, while most of today's stars seemed to come forth, ready made, complete with their own image and fan base already in place.
The internet gives all artist a greater chance at a larger audience. But, most Web surfers tend to do just that. They roam the internet in search of something that they have yet to experience or maybe have been wondering about. And how important is it to become a star on the internet anyway? What most independent artist long for is the freedom to create what they envision. Maybe all any artist hopes to do on the internet is build a following that really and truly enjoys their music. Sure, as an independent, you're always hoping that you can reach a level of attention that can earn you enough money so that can do just music for a living. Having said that, then maybe it is also true that no one coming onto the internet that isn't already famous or a star, is looking to actually become one. But, if such a thing should happen, I could see how no artist would be able to turn away from it, including yours truly.
All in all, for most independent artists at least, the internet is about getting the word out to those who love music, that you have music for sale. If we as a species survives long enough, I could see the day when good music triumphs over all, even if only in my dreams.
The internet, while being created in the early 1960s, only gave birth to the World Wide Web a mere twenty years ago. While the technology continues to grow at a very rapid pace, the more traditional communications mediums, such a Radio and Television have been around for far longer and still hold sway with consumers in the mainstream market place.
The first band to post a million downloads was the band, Fisher back in 2000. This got the attention of a major label and landed the band a record deal. However, the success that they had online didn't translate to brick and mortar, as the size of there fan base came from a wide and varied, global audience.
While 2011 was indeed the year that digital music began to make an impact, still the artist whose music contributed to it's greater success launched their careers through the use of those more traditional forms of media. In fact all major artists enjoy the promotion power that signing with a major label can bring.
The success of Adele and Lady Gaga, as well as last year's first million selling album by Lady Antebellum was the product of major label promotional muscle. It is true, if you are an independent artist able to travel the world touring, that it is possible to build huge fan base. But, by so doing, your audience will have been built from thousands of miles of travel and countless numbers of live performances, and not by anything more than maybe a few days of advance notice either from Radio, Television, or the Internet. And, while you may gain a great deal of notoriety, stardom or super stardom may not necessarily come along for the ride.
Maybe, the concept of star, or super star actually negates ones efforts as a musician, or singer/songwriter and plays host to something that is obviously more fleeting, like fame. Most music legends endured a certain amount of struggle on their journey to the top, while most of today's stars seemed to come forth, ready made, complete with their own image and fan base already in place.
The internet gives all artist a greater chance at a larger audience. But, most Web surfers tend to do just that. They roam the internet in search of something that they have yet to experience or maybe have been wondering about. And how important is it to become a star on the internet anyway? What most independent artist long for is the freedom to create what they envision. Maybe all any artist hopes to do on the internet is build a following that really and truly enjoys their music. Sure, as an independent, you're always hoping that you can reach a level of attention that can earn you enough money so that can do just music for a living. Having said that, then maybe it is also true that no one coming onto the internet that isn't already famous or a star, is looking to actually become one. But, if such a thing should happen, I could see how no artist would be able to turn away from it, including yours truly.
All in all, for most independent artists at least, the internet is about getting the word out to those who love music, that you have music for sale. If we as a species survives long enough, I could see the day when good music triumphs over all, even if only in my dreams.
Tuesday, February 14, 2012
A Fine Mess
I was listening to the radio again. Got a couple of nice surprises too. The first one was the return of the region's only smooth Jazz station. It's format changed about two or so years ago, but now it's back with a new twist. It's playing some of today's pop radio hit makers. While this is not the worst that could happen to the station, I personally am hoping that this won't be a permanent change, as this has been done at a cost to a wealth of music that would better fit within the format.
The other surprise came as I was listening to a few of the Rock stations in my area. Wow. The music was really tight. Gone was much of that weepy, dreary sound that had begun to take over the genre. In fact, I actually spent as much or more time listening to the Rock stations then I did any of the others.
The local R&B station still has very little to draw from, since R&B has given itself over to Rap and Hip Hop. There's the quiet storm in the evenings, which features a lot of Romantic oldies sprinkled with today's lifeless imitation of the real thing. Through day however, there isn't much that is new that is uptempo unless it's Rap or Hip Hop, or something from the past. The rhythms of the new stuff are usually tight but the melodies, in my opinion, are still lacking and the lyrics are usually less than imaginative.
As I roamed around the dial, I found that the oldies station was now playing, "everything that was good." Which I might add, was very good actually. It takes a bit of skill to do it, but they played a set list that weaved music from every genre and time period into a seamless progression of some of the most popular music ever to air on the radio. I guess that's a third surprise.
What's most intriguing about my experience is that none of these stations that I listened to are considered as top 40 stations. And, from the sounds of it, I think that none of them care. Alright! I don't know what this means or if it means anything, but it was refreshing.
I think that it's too soon to tell though. Something's got to happen with R&B before I could say personally that, maybe real music is making a come back. But, I think that it's definitely worth keeping an eye on.
The other surprise came as I was listening to a few of the Rock stations in my area. Wow. The music was really tight. Gone was much of that weepy, dreary sound that had begun to take over the genre. In fact, I actually spent as much or more time listening to the Rock stations then I did any of the others.
The local R&B station still has very little to draw from, since R&B has given itself over to Rap and Hip Hop. There's the quiet storm in the evenings, which features a lot of Romantic oldies sprinkled with today's lifeless imitation of the real thing. Through day however, there isn't much that is new that is uptempo unless it's Rap or Hip Hop, or something from the past. The rhythms of the new stuff are usually tight but the melodies, in my opinion, are still lacking and the lyrics are usually less than imaginative.
As I roamed around the dial, I found that the oldies station was now playing, "everything that was good." Which I might add, was very good actually. It takes a bit of skill to do it, but they played a set list that weaved music from every genre and time period into a seamless progression of some of the most popular music ever to air on the radio. I guess that's a third surprise.
What's most intriguing about my experience is that none of these stations that I listened to are considered as top 40 stations. And, from the sounds of it, I think that none of them care. Alright! I don't know what this means or if it means anything, but it was refreshing.
I think that it's too soon to tell though. Something's got to happen with R&B before I could say personally that, maybe real music is making a come back. But, I think that it's definitely worth keeping an eye on.
Tuesday, December 6, 2011
The BIg Three
Maybe you've already heard, or maybe you're just finding out, or maybe, you don't really care, but there are now only three Major record companies on the planet Earth. That's right. Three record companies now control all of the major record labels.
This past November, Citibank, which owned EMI sold it's holdings to both Sony and Universal. Universal bought the recorded music section while Sony bought the music publishing arm. There has been some concern as to how the sale of EMI while fair in the financial realm, but as there is considerable back catalog that continues to do well, as well as new up and coming artist whose music is making en roads in the mainstream market, their appears to be no real worry about whether there be loss as opposed to profit.
Obviously, the sale is not going to be a losing venture, financially. But, what about the music? Most of the radio stations in this country are already owned by major corporations, which has, in my opinion, given rise to a lot of what we hear in most markets, as a sound alike phenomenon. Now with only three record companies, there's bound to be an increase in the similarity of sound between the artist already in the mainstream and those whose music is yet, but will soon be released.
From time to time, complaints are posted by music fans who are increasingly disappointed that the music that they love is continuing to be harder and harder to find. What music it that? Music with more melody and words that you're not ashamed to sing in front of your family and friends.
I know that I've posted about the increase in rhythm and special effects in top 40 music. And, how Disco has come back, triumphantly to the top of the charts, as Dance music. But, this music is having it's greatest success with it's target audience of 14 to 24yrs of age. With music sales trending up in 2011, there's no reason that I can see for the Big Three to abandon what clearly is working for them.
Fear not. The internet is an amazing place. The DIY movement is growing. While sites like Myspace still embrace the major label artists, there is a tremendous number of unsigned bands and artists whose music has to be heard to be believed.
I create and record music, but I am and have always been a music fan. I see the loss of yet one more record company as a decrease in competition, and a loss of reason for those at the top to care about the quality of what they sell, as long as as the product is professionally made, packaged, and yields huge monetary gains. There is no longer an incentive to seek out or present anything that remotely represent variety or diversity. But, whenever I find something thing that I think is good, I think that from now on, I will try to share it with as many others as I possibly can.
This past November, Citibank, which owned EMI sold it's holdings to both Sony and Universal. Universal bought the recorded music section while Sony bought the music publishing arm. There has been some concern as to how the sale of EMI while fair in the financial realm, but as there is considerable back catalog that continues to do well, as well as new up and coming artist whose music is making en roads in the mainstream market, their appears to be no real worry about whether there be loss as opposed to profit.
Obviously, the sale is not going to be a losing venture, financially. But, what about the music? Most of the radio stations in this country are already owned by major corporations, which has, in my opinion, given rise to a lot of what we hear in most markets, as a sound alike phenomenon. Now with only three record companies, there's bound to be an increase in the similarity of sound between the artist already in the mainstream and those whose music is yet, but will soon be released.
From time to time, complaints are posted by music fans who are increasingly disappointed that the music that they love is continuing to be harder and harder to find. What music it that? Music with more melody and words that you're not ashamed to sing in front of your family and friends.
I know that I've posted about the increase in rhythm and special effects in top 40 music. And, how Disco has come back, triumphantly to the top of the charts, as Dance music. But, this music is having it's greatest success with it's target audience of 14 to 24yrs of age. With music sales trending up in 2011, there's no reason that I can see for the Big Three to abandon what clearly is working for them.
Fear not. The internet is an amazing place. The DIY movement is growing. While sites like Myspace still embrace the major label artists, there is a tremendous number of unsigned bands and artists whose music has to be heard to be believed.
I create and record music, but I am and have always been a music fan. I see the loss of yet one more record company as a decrease in competition, and a loss of reason for those at the top to care about the quality of what they sell, as long as as the product is professionally made, packaged, and yields huge monetary gains. There is no longer an incentive to seek out or present anything that remotely represent variety or diversity. But, whenever I find something thing that I think is good, I think that from now on, I will try to share it with as many others as I possibly can.
Sunday, October 30, 2011
Up From The Ashes
Ever heard of Myspace! Sure you have. But, since the rise of Twitter, YouTube, and the mighty Facebook, Myspace kind of lost in the shuffle. Fear not. After the exit of News Corp which sold the site for 35 million dollars to Specific media, the sites new owners have vowed to put the music back onto Myspace, as it relaunched in October.
The new Myspace is not attempting to compete with Facebook. Instead, they are returning the sites focus to music. A lot of the advertising once spent on Myspace has move on to YouTube. The site's user interface has been, and is still in a state of flux. Many users who abandoned Myspace in protest over News Corps heavy commercialization, have been slowly trickling back, as the site continues to become more user friendly again.
Many of the Myspace users who never left have continued to network and meet new friends, bands, or artists amongst it's 120 million users. They have been enjoying the new cleaner, leaner look and some added features that make reaching out much easier than it was in it's early days.
The new Myspace will continue to cater to the so called "premium" artists, those whose music is promoted by the four major record companies. However, much of the music and music profiles from countless independent bands and artist still remain. Scores of music files containing some of the most obscure DIY artists still abound. If your looking for that hard to find song, band, or artist it is most likely that you will find it on Myspace.
Many of the returning Myspace users no doubt have been pleasantly surprised at just how much easier the site has become to use. Perhaps, if you were a Myspace user who moved on to Facebook, Twitter, or YouTube, you might consider coming back to Myspace. If you do, you'll find that it is slowing returning back to "My Space," instead of "Their Space." Personally, I find myself spending more time at Myspace rather than Facebook, but being a DIY artist, I think that that only makes sense. After all, Myspace is where the music lives.
The new Myspace is not attempting to compete with Facebook. Instead, they are returning the sites focus to music. A lot of the advertising once spent on Myspace has move on to YouTube. The site's user interface has been, and is still in a state of flux. Many users who abandoned Myspace in protest over News Corps heavy commercialization, have been slowly trickling back, as the site continues to become more user friendly again.
Many of the Myspace users who never left have continued to network and meet new friends, bands, or artists amongst it's 120 million users. They have been enjoying the new cleaner, leaner look and some added features that make reaching out much easier than it was in it's early days.
The new Myspace will continue to cater to the so called "premium" artists, those whose music is promoted by the four major record companies. However, much of the music and music profiles from countless independent bands and artist still remain. Scores of music files containing some of the most obscure DIY artists still abound. If your looking for that hard to find song, band, or artist it is most likely that you will find it on Myspace.
Many of the returning Myspace users no doubt have been pleasantly surprised at just how much easier the site has become to use. Perhaps, if you were a Myspace user who moved on to Facebook, Twitter, or YouTube, you might consider coming back to Myspace. If you do, you'll find that it is slowing returning back to "My Space," instead of "Their Space." Personally, I find myself spending more time at Myspace rather than Facebook, but being a DIY artist, I think that that only makes sense. After all, Myspace is where the music lives.
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