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> FROM The Baffler No. 5 1993 http://qz.com/202194/steve-albini-the-problem-with-music-has-been-solved-by-the-internet/ http://qz.com/202194/steve-albini-the-p

> FROM The Baffler No. 5 1993 http://qz.com/202194/steve-albini-the-problem-with-music-has-been-solved-by-the-internet/ http://qz.com/202194/steve-albini-the-problem-with-music-has... > ‘The Problem With Music’ has been solved by the internet (2014)

wwweston 12y ago
Albini was in a really good position to see the problems of the pre-digital industry, and he wrote about them well. And he's right that the problem of distribution and crappy old gatekeepers has been solved. He's absolutely wrong to the extent that he thinks all the problems of music have been solved (or that he holds the opinion that "bands will make it up in t-shirt sales and mumblehandwave business models!"). And I doubt he's in a great position to see the current problems: * He probably has a circle/network of people who solved the problems of attention and gaining patronizing fans earlier (sure, he probably does production for and has some acquaintances from now, but the primary circle that mediates his experience is probably older). * I'm not sure the collusion between high profile services and labels is as easy to see (because it's partly an adversarial/opportunistic relationship to begin with). And streaming services tend to be better for older acts with a catalogue and established audiences (who benefited from recording revenue back when that could be a thing and aren't producing new recordings now).
- mrcsparker 12y ago
  He is wrong about jazz, too. It doesn't suck (same with Zappa, post-Mothers). I try not to judge him too much on this, but it colors my opinion of his opinions a bit - what musician hates jazz? Then again, I am not a fan of Shellac or his other music, so I am probably missing something. In 10 years I might be telling people how wonderful Shellac is, and it might just click for me - that is the wonderful thing about art. I wish that there was a world where musicians could make great music without having to tour and make money. Some music doesn't need to be structured to be played live. Edited for clarity and I was too harsh.
deleted 12y ago
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wwweston 12y ago

Albini was in a really good position to see the problems of the pre-digital industry, and he wrote about them well. And he's right that the problem of distribution and crappy old gatekeepers has been solved. He's absolutely wrong to the extent that he thinks all the problems of music have been solved (or that he holds the opinion that "bands will make it up in t-shirt sales and mumblehandwave business models!"). And I doubt he's in a great position to see the current problems: * He probably has a circle/network of people who solved the problems of attention and gaining patronizing fans earlier (sure, he probably does production for and has some acquaintances from now, but the primary circle that mediates his experience is probably older). * I'm not sure the collusion between high profile services and labels is as easy to see (because it's partly an adversarial/opportunistic relationship to begin with). And streaming services tend to be better for older acts with a catalogue and established audiences (who benefited from recording revenue back when that could be a thing and aren't producing new recordings now).

mrcsparker 12y ago
He is wrong about jazz, too. It doesn't suck (same with Zappa, post-Mothers). I try not to judge him too much on this, but it colors my opinion of his opinions a bit - what musician hates jazz? Then again, I am not a fan of Shellac or his other music, so I am probably missing something. In 10 years I might be telling people how wonderful Shellac is, and it might just click for me - that is the wonderful thing about art. I wish that there was a world where musicians could make great music without having to tour and make money. Some music doesn't need to be structured to be played live. Edited for clarity and I was too harsh.

deleted 12y ago

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