Comments on: The Thinking Man’s Take On: The Hype Machine http://prettymuchamazing.com/feature/the-thinking-mans-take-on-the-hype-machine Sat, 21 Nov 2009 21:08:33 -0800 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.8.6 hourly 1 By: DJ BIShttp://prettymuchamazing.com/feature/the-thinking-mans-take-on-the-hype-machine/comment-page-2#comment-16568 DJ BIS Mon, 09 Feb 2009 06:49:19 +0000 http://prettymuchamazing.com/?p=3668#comment-16568 excelente article. The speed at which music is available is killing the soul and depth that music once had and you could not have summarized it better!Thank you. excelente article.
The speed at which music is available is killing the soul and depth that music once had and you could not have summarized it better!

Thank you.

]]> By: Nikauhttp://prettymuchamazing.com/feature/the-thinking-mans-take-on-the-hype-machine/comment-page-2#comment-13483 Nikau Fri, 19 Dec 2008 00:27:05 +0000 http://prettymuchamazing.com/?p=3668#comment-13483 Brilliant article. However if it wasn't for the hype machine i wouldn't have found out about PMA, but i have to agree with alot of the points this article raises Brilliant article. However if it wasn’t for the hype machine i wouldn’t have found out about PMA, but i have to agree with alot of the points this article raises

]]> By: The Thinking Man’s Take On: Pitchfork Media at Pretty Much Amazing! The Music Bloghttp://prettymuchamazing.com/feature/the-thinking-mans-take-on-the-hype-machine/comment-page-2#comment-12440 The Thinking Man’s Take On: Pitchfork Media at Pretty Much Amazing! The Music Blog Wed, 10 Dec 2008 02:15:48 +0000 http://prettymuchamazing.com/?p=3668#comment-12440 [...] Not the HypeM/elbo.ws, “search for the tracks you want to find” Google Doppelganger. But in its role, growth, [...] [...] Not the HypeM/elbo.ws, “search for the tracks you want to find” Google Doppelganger. But in its role, growth, [...]

]]> By: Disco Dhttp://prettymuchamazing.com/feature/the-thinking-mans-take-on-the-hype-machine/comment-page-2#comment-11960 Disco D Sun, 07 Dec 2008 06:12:16 +0000 http://prettymuchamazing.com/?p=3668#comment-11960 A lot of people prefer MP3 over CD or Vinyl. Most people aren't audio buffs with hi-fi ears who can tell the difference between a 16bit 44.1Khz PCM .WAV file and a 192k MP3. So, it's easy to understand why some are not compelled to spend on money they can get for free (even if it is a low quality mp3 rip). Also, a lot of tracks, these days, seem to get leaked to the public/internet early via someone copying the promo cd/mp3 or leaking the demo, in some cases!I understand, It's difficult to compete with "free". But, I would also urge DFA to up their game, and release less medicore indie dance drivel. Concentrate on putting out anthems, instead. Put out great songs that are worthy of our hard earned cash. Sure, some will download a free copy of copy. But, many others, will buy, buy, buy.They have yet to release anything remotely great as Dinsoaur L, Arthur Russell, Loose Joints, George Kranz, Laidbach, The Normal, The B-52s, Tom Tom Club, Talking Heads, Joy Division, New Order, Depeche Mode, The Human League, Soft Cell, Fad Gadget, The The, Kraftwerk...Need I go on? Jonathan Galkin - If your back catalogue was your school homework, it would be marked 'easily distracted, could do better, & see me after class'. A lot of people prefer MP3 over CD or Vinyl.
Most people aren’t audio buffs with hi-fi ears who can tell the difference between a 16bit 44.1Khz PCM .WAV file and a 192k MP3.
So, it’s easy to understand why some are not compelled to spend on money they can get for free (even if it is a low quality mp3 rip).
Also, a lot of tracks, these days, seem to get leaked to the public/internet early via someone copying the promo cd/mp3 or leaking the demo, in some cases!

I understand, It’s difficult to compete with “free”.
But, I would also urge DFA to up their game, and release less medicore indie dance drivel.
Concentrate on putting out anthems, instead.
Put out great songs that are worthy of our hard earned cash.
Sure, some will download a free copy of copy.
But, many others, will buy, buy, buy.

They have yet to release anything remotely great as Dinsoaur L, Arthur Russell, Loose Joints, George Kranz, Laidbach, The Normal, The B-52s, Tom Tom Club, Talking Heads, Joy Division, New Order, Depeche Mode, The Human League, Soft Cell, Fad Gadget, The The, Kraftwerk…

Need I go on?
Jonathan Galkin – If your back catalogue was your school homework, it would be marked ‘easily distracted, could do better, & see me after class’.

]]> By: Anonymoushttp://prettymuchamazing.com/feature/the-thinking-mans-take-on-the-hype-machine/comment-page-2#comment-11718 Anonymous Wed, 03 Dec 2008 20:24:31 +0000 http://prettymuchamazing.com/?p=3668#comment-11718 Speeding up music?? There's a couple major flaws with this argument. But just to make it easy, here's the Beatles catalog and release years:* Please Please Me (Parlophone, 1963) * With The Beatles (Parlophone, 1963) * A Hard Day's Night (Parlophone, 1964) * Beatles for Sale (Parlophone, 1964) * Help! (Parlophone, 1965) * Rubber Soul (Parlophone, 1965) * Revolver (Parlophone, 1966) * Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band (Parlophone, 1967) * Magical Mystery Tour (U.S. only. Released as a Double EP in the UK) (Capitol, 1967) * The Beatles ("The White Album") (Apple, 1968) * Yellow Submarine (Apple, 1969) * Abbey Road (Apple, 1969) * Let It Be (Apple, 1970)13 albums in 7 years. Speeding up music?? There’s a couple major flaws with this argument. But just to make it easy, here’s the Beatles catalog and release years:

* Please Please Me (Parlophone, 1963)
* With The Beatles (Parlophone, 1963)
* A Hard Day’s Night (Parlophone, 1964)
* Beatles for Sale (Parlophone, 1964)
* Help! (Parlophone, 1965)
* Rubber Soul (Parlophone, 1965)
* Revolver (Parlophone, 1966)
* Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band (Parlophone, 1967)
* Magical Mystery Tour (U.S. only. Released as a Double EP in the UK) (Capitol, 1967)
* The Beatles (”The White Album”) (Apple, 1968)
* Yellow Submarine (Apple, 1969)
* Abbey Road (Apple, 1969)
* Let It Be (Apple, 1970)

13 albums in 7 years.

]]> By: Taylor McKnighthttp://prettymuchamazing.com/feature/the-thinking-mans-take-on-the-hype-machine/comment-page-2#comment-11475 Taylor McKnight Mon, 01 Dec 2008 21:49:59 +0000 http://prettymuchamazing.com/?p=3668#comment-11475 Two quick notes: 1) "they get $$$ to put certain blogs up top." is certainly not true. Every single blog in our system is on a level playing field. 2) We have the Popular page showing only the last 3 days of tracks is our effort to highlight interesting and new tracks. If it was an ongoing thing you'd most likely find the usual suspects on top (Coldplay, Radiohead, etc etc). Not to say you don't find these on the current Popular page, but it gives other songs a fighting chance (Teki Latex is #1 right now). For a depressing example of how the "all time" popular tracks look check out Last.FM's top tracks of 2008: http://www.last.fm/bestof/2008/track/10 (6 of them are Coldplay, 4 of them are MGMT). Our system isn't perfect, and we certainly didn't pick 3 days to overwhelm people or kill the album etc etc. I just wanted to share our thinking and let you know we are constantly trying to improve on making music discovery fun. Two quick notes:
1) “they get $$$ to put certain blogs up top.” is certainly not true. Every single blog in our system is on a level playing field.
2) We have the Popular page showing only the last 3 days of tracks is our effort to highlight interesting and new tracks. If it was an ongoing thing you’d most likely find the usual suspects on top (Coldplay, Radiohead, etc etc). Not to say you don’t find these on the current Popular page, but it gives other songs a fighting chance (Teki Latex is #1 right now).
For a depressing example of how the “all time” popular tracks look check out Last.FM’s top tracks of 2008: http://www.last.fm/bestof/2008/track/10
(6 of them are Coldplay, 4 of them are MGMT).
Our system isn’t perfect, and we certainly didn’t pick 3 days to overwhelm people or kill the album etc etc. I just wanted to share our thinking and let you know we are constantly trying to improve on making music discovery fun.

]]> By: kzaphttp://prettymuchamazing.com/feature/the-thinking-mans-take-on-the-hype-machine/comment-page-2#comment-11333 kzap Sun, 30 Nov 2008 04:31:27 +0000 http://prettymuchamazing.com/?p=3668#comment-11333 Speaking of collusion btw, if you're techie enough you don't even have to leave any hypem page to download songs use FlashGot or some similiar downloader on FireFox or if you're as nerdy as you think you are get SongBird. Granted, they're not tagged, but you get the song and tagging's up to you or another community, MusicBrainz. I wonder who pays them to get featured in their iTunes killer browser??? Speaking of collusion btw, if you’re techie enough you don’t even have to leave any hypem page to download songs use FlashGot or some similiar downloader on FireFox or if you’re as nerdy as you think you are get SongBird. Granted, they’re not tagged, but you get the song and tagging’s up to you or another community, MusicBrainz. I wonder who pays them to get featured in their iTunes killer browser???

]]> By: kzaphttp://prettymuchamazing.com/feature/the-thinking-mans-take-on-the-hype-machine/comment-page-2#comment-11331 kzap Sun, 30 Nov 2008 04:21:36 +0000 http://prettymuchamazing.com/?p=3668#comment-11331 Thought provoking it is. For me, I know what I like and don't have to listen to someone's personal podcast or read any critic-blogger-citizen-journalist wanna-be music nerd's opinion for that matter (no offense). It is just about the music for me and fine-tuning my tastes and it goes great with last.fm as they have been advertising it lately! Collusion!!! hah makes for a better overall product and business model. Oil of the 21st century information and intellectual property will be says I, ftw! Thought provoking it is. For me, I know what I like and don’t have to listen to someone’s personal podcast or read any critic-blogger-citizen-journalist wanna-be music nerd’s opinion for that matter (no offense). It is just about the music for me and fine-tuning my tastes and it goes great with last.fm as they have been advertising it lately! Collusion!!! hah makes for a better overall product and business model. Oil of the 21st century information and intellectual property will be says I, ftw!

]]> By: Tarthttp://prettymuchamazing.com/feature/the-thinking-mans-take-on-the-hype-machine/comment-page-2#comment-11100 Tart Thu, 27 Nov 2008 02:27:59 +0000 http://prettymuchamazing.com/?p=3668#comment-11100 To assume that either mp3 blogs and file sharing (or people's use of the internet in any way, for that matter) has a negative effect on the music industry is simply ridiculous. Independent studies have shown that there is no causal relationship between the increase of music online and the decrease of music sales in traditional markets. End of story. Your only source on this is a quote from someone <i>within </i> the music industry itself. I suggest you do more research on the subject. Email me for sources if you need them.Likewise, to assume that the majority or "the base" of music fans use the Hype machine and therefore are influenced by it is equally ridiculous. Even to assume that the bulk of music fans fill their ipods with singles merits a solid source of reference, where is it? Let's be careful to not assume that <i>we</i> the super geeks, are the norm, eh?Yes, the Hypem has changed the way we use music. Yes it's altered our focus on singles v. albums but I tend to think that's more a product of a generational shift, as you say, rather than something caused by Hypem. And as for music writing... there's plenty of us who write about music and don't give a damn about Hypem, don't write with it in mind, aren't listed on it, and have a small and faithful readership of friends who dig what we do nonetheless.Thanks for a thought-provoking article! To assume that either mp3 blogs and file sharing (or people’s use of the internet in any way, for that matter) has a negative effect on the music industry is simply ridiculous. Independent studies have shown that there is no causal relationship between the increase of music online and the decrease of music sales in traditional markets. End of story. Your only source on this is a quote from someone within the music industry itself. I suggest you do more research on the subject. Email me for sources if you need them.

Likewise, to assume that the majority or “the base” of music fans use the Hype machine and therefore are influenced by it is equally ridiculous. Even to assume that the bulk of music fans fill their ipods with singles merits a solid source of reference, where is it? Let’s be careful to not assume that we the super geeks, are the norm, eh?

Yes, the Hypem has changed the way we use music. Yes it’s altered our focus on singles v. albums but I tend to think that’s more a product of a generational shift, as you say, rather than something caused by Hypem. And as for music writing… there’s plenty of us who write about music and don’t give a damn about Hypem, don’t write with it in mind, aren’t listed on it, and have a small and faithful readership of friends who dig what we do nonetheless.

Thanks for a thought-provoking article!

]]> By: Luis Tovarhttp://prettymuchamazing.com/feature/the-thinking-mans-take-on-the-hype-machine/comment-page-1#comment-11076 Luis Tovar Wed, 26 Nov 2008 20:45:38 +0000 http://prettymuchamazing.com/?p=3668#comment-11076 "they get $$$ to put certain blogs up top."Oh, is that a fact? “they get $$$ to put certain blogs up top.”

Oh, is that a fact?

]]>