Compilations; An argument
"And somebody better shoot me next time I get another. Because COMPILATION ALBUMS DO NOT WORK. As far as I know, compilations seek to either make more money, act as an introduction to new listeners to an artist, or chronicle some milestone in the artist/band's career."
-anonymous
If i could compress my post into a tag, i would have done so. But the functions of compilation albums are too complex to be summarised within the little box.
Although a large majority of compilation are flops designed at generating revenue without any actual new songs, compilation albums can become a treasure trove if done with care and consideration.
In our previous argument, the underlying assumption was that all compilation albums contained items from the same artiste.
Compilation can also be used to draw instant comparisons between various artistes. It is a time capsule capturing a precious moment in history.
For our first case, let's take a look at themed albums such as Jazz in the City (I & II). The wide exposure of recognised/ upcoming artiste is so much more efficient to buying each of their album individual. For example, one would assume Michael Buble to be the epitome of Jazz. However, in this album, he is surely outmatched by other less prominent but more powerful artistes such as Lisa Ekdahi & Bette Milder.
In also allows us to get snippets of artistes we would not usually buy. For example,
I certainly would not buy Aselin Debison's album. She is far too inconsistent in her standards. However, her (very likely) one-hit-wonder rendition of Somewhere over the rainbow/what a wonderful world medley is too good of a song to miss out.
True, a hardcore fan of a genre may wish to buy every single album of all the singers within the genre. However, if he wishes to get an instant overview of the current market without downloading song illegally, a compilation may be the choice.
Think of surveying the music scene as a routine walk. Although walking on foot may be pleasurable to some, one would usually prefer to ride on a bicycle. efficency. less noise.
The other function overlooked is the ability to seal a certain time era. Let us take a look at the golden age of dance music, the late 1990s. It is utterly amazing to the marvelous dance songs that appeared in the single year of 1998 (BEST 99) and 1999(BEST 2000). That era produced the best dance legends; Toybox, Vengaboys, Heart of Asia, Buttefly, Blue. Thankfully, due to the invention of compilation albums, we can easilly access our sweetest memories through the convenience of a single CD.
However, it must be noted that just like any other album, compilation albums are capable of flopping. If it sucks, it just sucks. If a normal album sucks, blame the artise for sucking. If a compilation album sucks, blame the producer for having bad taste.
-anonymous
If i could compress my post into a tag, i would have done so. But the functions of compilation albums are too complex to be summarised within the little box.
Although a large majority of compilation are flops designed at generating revenue without any actual new songs, compilation albums can become a treasure trove if done with care and consideration.
In our previous argument, the underlying assumption was that all compilation albums contained items from the same artiste.
Compilation can also be used to draw instant comparisons between various artistes. It is a time capsule capturing a precious moment in history.
For our first case, let's take a look at themed albums such as Jazz in the City (I & II). The wide exposure of recognised/ upcoming artiste is so much more efficient to buying each of their album individual. For example, one would assume Michael Buble to be the epitome of Jazz. However, in this album, he is surely outmatched by other less prominent but more powerful artistes such as Lisa Ekdahi & Bette Milder.
In also allows us to get snippets of artistes we would not usually buy. For example,
I certainly would not buy Aselin Debison's album. She is far too inconsistent in her standards. However, her (very likely) one-hit-wonder rendition of Somewhere over the rainbow/what a wonderful world medley is too good of a song to miss out.
True, a hardcore fan of a genre may wish to buy every single album of all the singers within the genre. However, if he wishes to get an instant overview of the current market without downloading song illegally, a compilation may be the choice.
Think of surveying the music scene as a routine walk. Although walking on foot may be pleasurable to some, one would usually prefer to ride on a bicycle. efficency. less noise.
The other function overlooked is the ability to seal a certain time era. Let us take a look at the golden age of dance music, the late 1990s. It is utterly amazing to the marvelous dance songs that appeared in the single year of 1998 (BEST 99) and 1999(BEST 2000). That era produced the best dance legends; Toybox, Vengaboys, Heart of Asia, Buttefly, Blue. Thankfully, due to the invention of compilation albums, we can easilly access our sweetest memories through the convenience of a single CD.
However, it must be noted that just like any other album, compilation albums are capable of flopping. If it sucks, it just sucks. If a normal album sucks, blame the artise for sucking. If a compilation album sucks, blame the producer for having bad taste.
posted by F I S at
7:38 am
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