Nothing is more eye-catching than that lovely computer generated cyan. Last week you might have noticed some of your favourite artists changed their profile pictures to that electric blue, for no reason what-so-ever.
Some main points (we will get there when we get there!) are: better royalty distribution, a fair-er ground for independent and new artists to get airplay, and it's *~"Hi-Fi"~* (to subscribers).
So what of it? I've been listening to Pandora since around
the time it was launched, my sister is proud of her Spotify collection, and step-wachamacallit is quite happy with using Limewire to get our internet service cut... I mean... to get music. But, in perspective, I generally listen to Pandora to get inspiration to buy new albums or I listen to artists that I already have in my 200 some-odd album collection. My sister will buy songs from the source if she likes them enough... and the other "has News of the World... on vinyl..."I would say that I am a heavy defender of the buying of the music I like... that's why I've spent around $80 on Dreamboat Annie alone... What?
Actually in a fit of overwhelming frustration I may have said some things to my mother on the phone when questioned about the internet service that we'll laugh about in a few decades when she's hopped up on those nursing home level pain killers... I took it to heart when it was just a general question of "Whoever has been downloading "copyrighted material" needs to stop" All the thousands of dollars and empty piggy banks I've gone through for my music and you dare question me? I weighed almost 200lbs in my early teen years and gave up snack for the extra dollar I got out of it... Dedication!
Ok, well on the other half of the spectrum, step-dood listens to mostly indy electronica and rap. Sister listens to whatever is on top 40, really.
Why mention all that? Well, it sets the stage for the wonderful discussion of Tidal.
We have what I would say are 3 ideal specimens: The dedicated money thrower, The partial payer/occasional buyer, and The IDGAF-ier (I would be nicer if I wasn't a 100% online college goer (internet shutoff is no fun)). I should also mention our lifestyles: Moi, Rock and Roll journalist, part time musician/artist, Thing 1, high school junior, and Thing 2 is a stoner that works in our parents' headshop ( no, this isn't about MJ, people...).
The Positive:
So with Tidal, what I see on the surface is what the program is a "take it if you want it" gig. They aren't necessarily trying to trump anyone, and no one is making you buy it. New artists can get airplay without being snubbed by record companies:
"You have to understand... When we do a 45 [single] with an unknown artist at TMR [Third Man Records] , it's a big investment in production and manufacturing. How do you get people to listen and buy that record so they can stay afloat? You can't get radio play for them, so that's why streaming is an interesting way to turn people on to unknown music." - Jack White on Tidal during one of his paid subscriber Vault chats.
And artists get a fair cut of royalties due to the lack of middle men.
The Negative:
In part due to the number of mainstream popstars and commercialization, many people argue that by joining Tidal, the artist is selling out. If you make millions each year, what does petty change matter, right? Relating to the quote from Jack above, there are quite a few people who are upset that their paid subscriptions to services like TMR (Third Man, get hip with the lingo.) will be worthless if the label releases content exclusively for Tidal. While it is more than likely that big hits will get full releases, those loyal to the label who do not want Tidal, like myself, will have to wait to get in on those numbers, meaning that there is a smaller market for "ratings".
Again, with all the mainstream popstars, the market for certain genres is skewed, and the possibility of miss-opportunity grows exponentially. So while Tidal treats indy and new artists a greater sense of fairness, the common denominator will always rule that out.
In theory everything is great, just like the three forms of government. Tidal is for the capitalist, Pandora can be for the socialist, and Limewire, the communist. Really think about the theories, not the sad realities. Tidal seems to be by the Artist, for the Artist.
The Music Genome Project used by Pandora takes a strong band like Led Zeppelin and gives you similar, yet diverse groups to listen to. Due to the randomness, if you really love that song,in order to have it, you have to buy it!
When it comes to Limewire... well we were all 12 and broke once. You can take what you like... at the risk of a great virus... seems like a fantastic solution, but nobody wins.
So why bother with Tidal? of course there will be people tripping balls to get it, but on the... down to earth end of things, no one is buying it... The brand. Tidal makes things seem like it's only for the money, not the art itself. Instead of the artist waiting for their chance to shine and earn the beans, they are dampening what could be with privatization.
For example, take us, TWRAR. The policy is simple: You share your work and we will put it up at no charge, as long as it is original. We pay you with free publicity and in return we get the satisfaction of watching a new artist bloom.
Now, if I would only allow monetary exchange... well your broke, ramen eating ass would be out of luck... and 5 years later, I'm screaming at you from 500ft away while you are the hottest thing on earth.
So in the end, Tidal is up to you. I wouldn't pay 10 bucks for and online service... I would just go get the 3 or 4 used LPs from the record store. It's all about you and how you
feel about it. If you try it, Like I said, Submit your ideas into a fair article and we'll have a race. Don't be afraid... I know there are lots of opinionated people out there.
The Negative:
In part due to the number of mainstream popstars and commercialization, many people argue that by joining Tidal, the artist is selling out. If you make millions each year, what does petty change matter, right? Relating to the quote from Jack above, there are quite a few people who are upset that their paid subscriptions to services like TMR (Third Man, get hip with the lingo.) will be worthless if the label releases content exclusively for Tidal. While it is more than likely that big hits will get full releases, those loyal to the label who do not want Tidal, like myself, will have to wait to get in on those numbers, meaning that there is a smaller market for "ratings".
Again, with all the mainstream popstars, the market for certain genres is skewed, and the possibility of miss-opportunity grows exponentially. So while Tidal treats indy and new artists a greater sense of fairness, the common denominator will always rule that out.In theory everything is great, just like the three forms of government. Tidal is for the capitalist, Pandora can be for the socialist, and Limewire, the communist. Really think about the theories, not the sad realities. Tidal seems to be by the Artist, for the Artist.
The Music Genome Project used by Pandora takes a strong band like Led Zeppelin and gives you similar, yet diverse groups to listen to. Due to the randomness, if you really love that song,in order to have it, you have to buy it!
When it comes to Limewire... well we were all 12 and broke once. You can take what you like... at the risk of a great virus... seems like a fantastic solution, but nobody wins.
So why bother with Tidal? of course there will be people tripping balls to get it, but on the... down to earth end of things, no one is buying it... The brand. Tidal makes things seem like it's only for the money, not the art itself. Instead of the artist waiting for their chance to shine and earn the beans, they are dampening what could be with privatization.
For example, take us, TWRAR. The policy is simple: You share your work and we will put it up at no charge, as long as it is original. We pay you with free publicity and in return we get the satisfaction of watching a new artist bloom.
Now, if I would only allow monetary exchange... well your broke, ramen eating ass would be out of luck... and 5 years later, I'm screaming at you from 500ft away while you are the hottest thing on earth.
So in the end, Tidal is up to you. I wouldn't pay 10 bucks for and online service... I would just go get the 3 or 4 used LPs from the record store. It's all about you and how you
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