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Top 40 was born in an era where a large part of the economic equation in music was album sales. The tribal signal helped overcome the activation energy require
by jcims 6y ago
Top 40 was born in an era where a large part of the economic equation in music was album sales. The tribal signal helped overcome the activation energy required to shell out the equivalent of a half day’s labor for a teen at the local music store.
Streaming services have killed the album, so the top 40 really has no calling.
- sjwright 6y agoIt hasn’t killed the album, it’s just changed the rules of the game for marketing “popular” music by reducing the power of radio and increasing interest in the long tail.
- austhrow743 6y agoStreaming didn't kill the album, but something did. https://www.visualcapitalist.com/music-industry-sales/ https://www.visualcapitalist.com/music-industry-sales/ Looks like piracy did it in.
- skciva 6y agoI don't think focusing on album sales paints the full picture on how modern artists find success. I've heard artists mention how albums don't really make them much money. Things like touring and merch sales account for the bulk of their income. I'd guess with streaming, podcasts, social networks, etc. artists have found ways outside of releasing a traditional album to stay relevant to the listener.
- jcims 6y agoThat was my point about killing the album. It’s no longer a particularly relevant milestone or attribute. The songs stand or fall in their own merit.