I also find it very strange that no Fiona fans (and there are quite a few) have surfaced to tell of the earlier release, or to proudly display their rare copies. Even more strange would be that an event like the release of a new Fiona Apple album, even if it’s marketing was completely botched up, could have eluded apparently every single Apple fan I’ve encountered, on-line or elsewhere.

I think that this story is just using Fiona Apple’s plight spiced up with a little spiteful fiction to bolster it’s point.

As for the album, it is highly original, with clever lyrics, enjoyable and fascinating – daring to experiment, while still remaining thoroughly accessible. It’s just not for the unfortunately many whose musical tastes never stretch beyond the current, unimaginative mainstream fads. In my view, “Extraordinary Machine” is the best material Apple has come up with so far.

Thats the problem, the record companies only want one way to exist for delivery and/or promotion and one entity to control it…there can be no competition in distribution or promotion, otherwise they’ll lose their obscene profits….

Monopolies tend to fight tooth and nail from opening up their markets to competition, and their allocative efficiency is horrendous when compared to competitive markets, price discrimination can also exist, which for the consumer is terrible (ie Apple charges UK customers more than N American customers for a tune)

Now that the barriers of entry into the distribution and promotion of music, movies etc are quickly vanishing, the entertainment industry is scambling to erect legal barriers through underhanded spin-doctoring, buying politicians, and outright deception and fear-mongering.

Lets hope they don’t succeed.

TT

Just one more stupid aspect of the obssession with holding onto the existing model, star system and process.

Let’s look at one big album that stands out as a HUGE departure: American Idiot. That album, while it certainly sounds like Green Day, it a huge change from the typical punk and nu-punk music released. Personally, I’ve not heard anything like it since NoFX’s ‘The Decline’. Imagine what would have happened if GD’s label had not released it because it was a departure, been afraid to launch it because it was different? We’d have missed out on one of the best albums of the year. Yet, they released it if for no other reason than there are vast numbers of GD fans that would buy it simply because it is Green Day.

Now, Fiona may not have quite as many fans, but this CD isn’t as huge a departure for her. I would expect some 90% of her fans would be pleased as hell with the disc. I know I was.

Like I said in my previous rant, there is very little risk left to be taken in releasing the CD. They’ve already paid the lion’s share of the costs involved in making a disc. They may as well pay the rest to release it and, at the very worst, break even.

–Tinfoil

*sigh*

There are enough people who appreciate Fiona’s style of music to send both of her previous records to platinum. That should say something.

Well, then again, I suppose with that argument one could say Ms. Spears or Blink 182 were talented musicians because they went platinum. Touche.

I think it says that Sony is staffed by idiots. They’ve gone through all the tough bits when it comes to making a CD. They’ve recorded it, mixed it, mastered it. They just have to duplicate it. She’s gone platinum twice. How can this not atleast break even?

Maybe it is a devious plan layed out by Sony two years ago to test the impact of viral marketing. The press this is receiving is gold. I just doubt that Sony is that crafty. I can see it coming from BBC, those are some technologically with-it cats. Sony has given up on innovation and new ideas. Well, the music division has atleast.

Personally, I think it’s a fantastic album and that should count for something coming from one who normally sticks to Tool, Fear Factory, NiN and Lamb Of God. Fiona’s voice has matured greatly and increased significantly in range. Musically it’s quirky and is fun to listen to.

– Tinfoil

except “well said and written.”

TT