Random Music Questions

[Halo Infinity]

1. I really was oblivious to this for the longest time, but are there more people out there that are into listening to a few or a couple songs instead of albums, especially since the mid 2000s up until now?

I was just curious, as I've spoken to people in real life and they told me that they don't really listen to albums. And not to bring the file-sharing discussion into this, although it's sometimes inevitably linked, and the fact that entire discographies can be downloaded. I could see that in a way now though, and have been understanding it more and more, as it's not so easy to digest album after album sometimes. As for me, I like to listen to albums in chronological order when getting into a band, and when I have the means, then the collecting begins.

2. This also lead me to ask the following question... does this mean that there's also a lot of casual fans that attend concerts too?

For quite a while, I used to assume that almost all the fans at concerts are the kind of fans that would get into the albums, buy the albums, T-shirts, posters, and other merch, whether they're a diehard or not. And please bear with me, as I think this really is one of those things that I've learned VERY late in life. My bad. I can't believe I didn't really consider these things for quite some time.

3. And for my last question, do you also get into bands by listening to their albums in chronological order?

I tend to do that every time... and see how that could look sort of OCD though. I also try to collect the CDs if I ended up liking them enough. Sometimes it's not easy though, since they might cost more than they should, and the fact that CDs are getting harder to find. And well, sometimes I simply don't have the money for CDs at all times.

[piggy]

1. I really was oblivious to this for the longest time, but are there more people out there that are into listening to a few or a couple songs instead of albums, especially since the mid 2000s up until now?

I think it has shifted that way, in general. It's most definitely true for casual music listeners. I can go either way. I love to take the journey that an album can provide, but I do just as often listen to iTunes on shuffle because it's fun. At the end of the day, though, I hope that there are still plenty of folks who can appreciate albums... well, consistent ones, anyway.

2. This also lead me to ask the following question... does this mean that there's also a lot of casual fans that attend concerts too?

Definitely. When I first started going to concerts, I assumed that the other people would be just as nerdy as I was, but some of them are there simply to be entertained and may not even know the song titles or what albums they're on. I think that's probably been true for decades, though, and doesn't necessarily correspond to the changes in listening habits. On the other hand, if you're paying a lot of money for the tickets and don't have much disposable income, you're probably more than a casual fan.

3. And for my last question, do you also get into bands by listening to their albums in chronological order?

Nope. I usually start out with an album that I happen to be partially familiar with due to knowing of its reputation or its singles or whatever, and then branch out from there if I'm craving more. And I do sometimes go the best of/greatest hits route first, too.

[cahernandez]

I went to see the movie '12 Years a Slave" yesterday and I was fascinated with the slaves songs. Do you guys know of a good compilation of slaves music/early days gospel?

[Halo Infinity]

Nope. I usually start out with an album that I happen to be partially familiar with due to knowing of its reputation or its singles or whatever, and then branch out from there if I'm craving more. And I do sometimes go the best of/greatest hits route first, too.

I think I've finally fully realized why I've done this. I tend to look at albums like seasons to a TV show, and try to take each album as a whole movie even when I'm not listening to the albums back-to-back. I'll understand if that doesn't make any sense, and would look a little OCD, since not all albums are connected, and not all of them have a story. I also like to look at albums as a snapshot as to who, what, and where the band or musician was at the time. I also like to collect the CDs as well, and they can also take a lot of time and money to find and get.

Your approach is much better though, and I've also started to get into bands that way, way before even considering to check out the rest of the discographies. I also try to branch out from time to time, but I'm also far from being among the biggest music buffs. I was ironically never that big of a music guy to begin with, as video games were my first love, but Nine Inch Nails really struck a nerve with me. I was into other bands way before getting into NIN too, but ever since discovering NIN, he's been one of my most favorite musicians for quite a while, and a long time coming.

[fillow]

What are everyone's favorite songs for tapping/table drumming?
I can go on forever tapping, for example, Pumpkins (I Am One, United States), Tool (The Grudge, T&L, Jambi, The Pot etc) and tons of other stuff.

[wizfan]

What are everyone's favorite songs for tapping/table drumming?
I can go on forever tapping, for example, Pumpkins (I Am One, United States), Tool (The Grudge, T&L, Jambi, The Pot etc) and tons of other stuff.

Propellerheads' Take California.

[Trains]

Anyone know of any musicians/bands who sound at all like these guys? (FYI the first 1:35 is gibberish...)

[WorzelG]

3. And for my last question, do you also get into bands by listening to their albums in chronological order?

I made the mistake of doing this with Radiohead and was put off listening to other stuff by them for a while because I thought Pablo Honey was indie landfill

[BenAkenobi]

Question for copyright know-it-alls. Recently a band announced album and i made a parody artwork based on other artist's famous album cover from many years ago, changing faces, artist name and album title accordingly, which i posted on the band's forum with a note it was "quick messing around". It was removed by moderator with a "possible copyright infringement" note. Do i absolutely have to contact publisher of the old album to grant permission for parody?

[Halo Infinity]

I've been actually thinking about this ever since I've graduated high school, and I'll understand if it never mattered to some people. I also wanted to see what other people would've thought of this. I also kept forgetting to ask this question here. Anyway, as for the actual question, here it goes.

If a band comes out with their debut album in your late teens or early 20s, would that mean that the band is outside of your generation?

[icecream]

I made the mistake of doing this with Radiohead and was put off listening to other stuff by them for a while because I thought Pablo Honey was indie landfill

I did too. Then my ex made me listen to In Rainbows and it changed the way I check bands out. Now I either do their popular or critically acclaimed album, sometimes the most recent. If they are an older act usually it's greatest hits then the album with the most songs I enjoy.

[allegro]

Question for copyright know-it-alls. Recently a band announced album and i made a parody artwork based on other artist's famous album cover from many years ago, changing faces, artist name and album title accordingly, which i posted on the band's forum with a note it was "quick messing around". It was removed by moderator with a "possible copyright infringement" note. Do i absolutely have to contact publisher of the old album to grant permission for parody?

I'm ASSUMING you mean violating U.S. copyright laws, since you are posting this in a forum owned and operated in the U.S., in which case: U.S. Copyright prohibits "substantial use" without permission. Yours is absolutely substantial use so, yes, you need permission.

For info re duration of their copyright, see this: http://www.copyright.gov/help/faq/faq-duration.html

[piggy]

I've been actually thinking about this ever since I've graduated high school, and I'll understand if it never mattered to some people. I also wanted to see what other people would've thought of this. I also kept forgetting to ask this question here. Anyway, as for the actual question, here it goes.

If a band comes out with their debut album in your late teens or early 20s, would that mean that the band is outside of your generation?

I would say no because a fair number of bands are in their early 20s when they put out their debut albums, so basically same generation. And really, generation lines get blurred when it comes to music and other aspects of pop culture. If an album or movie came out when you were a kid or well into adulthood, it doesn't necessarily mean that your generation didn't experience it firsthand.

[perceptionnexus]

An older thread revival, wasn't sure if to post here or to create an "I'm looking for..." thread for everyone, but wondering if someone might be able to point me the right direction here or recommend some artists cuz I for the life of me can't find any that fit the bill. I'm trying to scratch an itch to discover some new music that is real atmospheric and kinda spacey, but still at least quasi-melodic, primarily has a lot of dark pad synths that's not dance-y or really upbeat. Vocals are optional. Cloest thing I can think of would be like haxan cloak with more melody and song structured arrangements. This is the kind of stuff I usually write and I'm not that original so I know there has to be something else out there! any recommendations are most appreciated

[perceptionnexus]

Does anybody know if Flood (Mark Ellis, producer) has ever released any of his own music? I can't seem to find any info, just wondering if he ever has.

[piggy]

Not that I know of. Would be cool if he did, though.

[kel]

i was gonna start a thread about the first album or record that made you take pause, stop in your tracks and love music in a non-casual way. i'm thinking the topic might be too vague and just clog stuff up, but i really like the idea.

for example, the first album/record i absolutely loved and listened to constantly start to finish was scritti politti's 'cupid and psyche '85' when i was probably six or seven. when i was 13, i was obsessed, start to finish, with ace of base's 'the sign.' yeah, i know.

but the first headphone-obsessed album i was totally absorbed with was janet jackson's 'rhythm nation 1814.' i listened to it end-to-end relentlessly. every track felt weak if it wasnt part of the whole.

and, believe it or not, it led me to other headphone-preferred, package deal stuff like 'the downward spiral.'

make sense and worth it or should i go back to bed?

[Khrz]

I'd love to say it was something amazing, but well that's really relative to your own musical culture at the time, so it was probably either the black album, or A Momentary Lapse of Reason.

[piggy]

The album that made me fall in love with music was Ten by Pearl Jam in about 1994/5 when I was a freshman in high school. I was just floored by how raw and nakedly emotional it was. At the time, I had no idea that music could be that cathartic (imagine my amazement upon then discovering the catharsis offered by The Downward Spiral.) Ten also got me to pick up a guitar again and become serious about it after a few times of picking it up and putting it down during childhood. I've been a player ever since.

[WorzelG]

i was gonna start a thread about the first album or record that made you take pause, stop in your tracks and love music in a non-casual way. i'm thinking the topic might be too vague and just clog stuff up, but i really like the idea.

for example, the first album/record i absolutely loved and listened to constantly start to finish was scritti politti's 'cupid and psyche '85' when i was probably six or seven. when i was 13, i was obsessed, start to finish, with ace of base's 'the sign.' yeah, i know.

but the first headphone-obsessed album i was totally absorbed with was janet jackson's 'rhythm nation 1814.' i listened to it end-to-end relentlessly. every track felt weak if it wasnt part of the whole.

and, believe it or not, it led me to other headphone-preferred, package deal stuff like 'the downward spiral.'

make sense and worth it or should i go back to bed?

Probably the Human League - Dare when I was about 8. The trio of Get Carter, I Am the Law into Seconds is genius. First proper album in pop music I heard where the album tracks beat the singles IMO.

[Halo Infinity]

How long is an actual set-list supposed to be? 1 hour and 30 minutes at the shortest? 2 hours?

@piggy @Hazekiah - I don't really know since I don't go to rock concerts that much, and reading about Marilyn Manson having a 1 hour set-list was clearly considered to be a lot shorter than a typical set-list, which I'd also actually happen to agree with.

So, would 1 hour and 30 minutes be a regular minimum? I've actually timed the set-lists with the few concerts I've attended, and they all clocked in at 2 hours at the very least, and maybe somewhere in between 2 hours and 15 minutes or 2 hours and 30 minutes at the longest.

[piggy]

I don't have a huge amount of experience, but yes I would say that 1.5 hours is a regular minimum with 2 hours being fairly average. Shorter sets sometimes happen with older artists who maybe don't have the stamina or newer artists who don't have enough songs to make a longer set.

[Hazekiah]

I'm hardly any kind of expert myself, but nonetheless I've still been to thousands of concerts...even not counting Manson, lol.

But I would certainly say that hour-and-a-half setlists are definitely NOT "the regular minimum," any more than two hours is "fairly average."

I've seen TONS of shows where the headliner barely even played 45 minutes, for instance. And two hours is actually a pretty damned long set for anyone.

In terms of BIG rock shows, though, I think it's important to remember that it's ultimately a business. Contractual obligations and/or penalties are always involved. For general (co-) headlining shows and festivals and stuff, it seems like an hour is typically the minimum, although I'm sure that's flexible and open to negotiation.

Likewise, if a band starts late but has room to extend their set to the minimum length anyway then they can do that, but will likely incur fines in the process. But if a weather delay shuts down an outdoor festival for a couple hours (or whatever) then it's not unheard of for the organizers to skip a few bands or give everyone a chance to play shorter sets until the schedule's back on track for the headliners. In which case, I'm SURE there would be no fines levied against the bands who weren't given time to meet their contractual requirements for minimum set-length. Shit happens.

In short, as long as the headliner plays for about an hour, and especially if they go beyond that, I'd say they're on pretty sound legal ground and the bulk of the audience will leave satisfied.

[piggy]

Fair enough, but...

1. I get the impression that Kris wasn't thinking about festival shows when he asked.
2. My experience is with "regular" concerts, as I've never really attended a festival.

[Hazekiah]

Yeah, sorry...I didn't mean to make it sound like I was talking about festivals exclusively up there. What I said was meant to apply more generally than that.

I just meant to clarify that I wasn't talking about relatively up-and-coming bands at a smaller club or w/e and that, even in terms of more tightly-scheduled shows with larger bills with less wiggle-room, an hour-or-so seems pretty standard.

And obviously weather conditions affect outdoor shows more, so I mentioned festivals again there for the sake of an example of the business practices in question.

In terms of general rock shows, I still wouldn't say that an hour-and-a-half would be the MINIMUM set-length or that two hours is AVERAGE, though.

Well...at least not unless you're seeing Bruce Springsteen or the String Cheese Incident or some shit, lol.

;)

[piggy]

I knew what you meant, I was just saying that if a person generally only attends regular shows and not festivals, they wouldn't really be seeing shows that short at all. Since Kris was mentioning longer shows to begin with, I assumed festivals were a moot point. Anyway, my experience is far more limited than yours, but I was basing it on the fact that I've only ever seen two sets that were shorter than 90 minutes and I don't go to jam band shows.

[Frozen Beach]

Does anyone know of a good place where to download David Sylvian live gigs? Dime and Zomb only have a few. I'm trying soulseek as well, but everything pretty low quality so far. I'm trying to build an archive because I'm thinking of making a compilation of live only tracks plus tracks with different variations live.

[Pillfred]

You check archive.org? I've found some random live recordings there before.

[Frozen Beach]

Yep, didn't find anything except artwork. His live material seems to be quite elusive in high quality.

[ZRFTS]

3. And for my last question, do you also get into bands by listening to their albums in chronological order?

I always listen in chronological order. Just to note the improvements that they've made. Many artists can make a good debut album, or they can make a shit one and then the second album comes out and it either blows my mind or makes me hate the artist entirely. It's better than listening to albums in random order and then discovering that debut album that may sound good or bad. Many hip-hop artists are tough to get through because you're waiting for that masterpiece to come. NIN is the only exception where they have a good debut and a sophmore album. Head in a Hole (best synthpop album ever) and Broken/The Downward Spiral. (either one is the most influential/independent albums in music.)

What can I say, I'm a completionist.