Indie Dispatches: Indie Releases Go Deluxe & Hollywood Forever’s Wow Factor
4AD to Release Deluxe Edition of The National's High Violet
One of the disturbing trends in recent years has been the major label’s tendency to reissue relatively new albums a few months after release (or sooner) as ‘expanded editions’ with a slew of bonus tracks, in an effort to wring out those last few sales. Unlike the heritage reissues of 15-20 year-old records, where there could be a set of unreleased tracks, a bang up remastering job of and some killer liner notes, these are albums where the ink is barely dry on the CD booklet printing. But who is harmed in this case? The consumer? Most probably the true fan who is rushing out to buy an album the week of release or soon after. So suddenly the core base are faced with the dilemma of having to buy an album all over again, just to get a hold of the bonus unreleased tracks (as they are a fan, and want everything the band has released), while the record labels try to garner the favor of the more passive consumer (more content = better value = the tipping point to a sale). And in the process they are exploiting those very people who comprise the dedicated community. Are these fans collateral damage, or the intended target? Hard to tell, but what is evident now is that these ‘expanded bonus editions’ are no longer just the domain of the majors, as a number of independents start rolling out their own re-releases of top selling albums. Just this past week 4AD announced the impending November 22 release of The National’s most recent album High Violet as a double-disc version with a bonus CD of unreleased tracks. Meanwhile Domino also have just released a deluxe edition of the Dirty Projectors Orca, with bonus content. However, in the case of Dirty Projectors, the fan could score at least some of the additional tracks from Live at Other Music by buying the 12″ from the Domino site. One of a limited edition of 75 copies…
On a more upbeat note, serious props should go out to the crew in Los Angeles that have been putting on shows at the Hollywood Forever Cemetery. While there are ample numbers of music festivals every year, and thousands of sets by bands at clubs around town, few can really be really described as “events”. In the end Coachella is just another festival, and nights at the Hollywood Bowl, which in themselves are fun and enjoyable, lack a certain wow factor. Step in Hollywood Forever. A series of shows in the mausoleum from the likes of Fools Gold and Perfume Genius have been great, but it is the concerts outside on the Fairbanks lawn that have been truly special. Just this past week, Scots Belle & Sebastian performed to a crowd of thousands of devoted fans, who thumbed their noses at the unseasonally cold weather and the impending threat of rain, reveling in what even the band thought was one of the finest shows on their current tour. With a screening of Trainspotting as a support act, the night was truly an event to talk about, and added the perfect buzz factor to the release of the Glaswegian’s new album Write About Love on Matador Records next Tuesday October 12. And as wonderful as the B&S performance was, it still pales in comparison to the legendary show by Bon Iver in 2009 at the same venue. With the Wisconsin combo playing at dawn, as the mist slowly cleared and the sun rose above the cemetery, providing a truly stunning backdrop, it truly was a once in a lifetime event, and rightfully lauded by many as “one of the best shows ever”.
- Cool Hand Luke
05.12.10Indie Dispatches: Down the Rabbit Hole; 10 Essential Things To Do This Week
Sleigh Bells Debut LP Out this Week on Mom & Pop; Streaming on NPR
1. Listen to the debut Sleigh Bells LP Treats that is streaming on NPR’s First Listen
2. Check out the bountiful slate of great shows coming up in LA at the Hollywood Bowl this summer – She and Him with The Swell Season (July 18), Chemical Brothers, Yacht & Chromeo (August 29), Phoenix, Grizzly Bear & Girls (Sept 18), Vampire Weekend & Beach House (Sept 26) and of course Pavement, Sonic Youth & No Age (Sept 30)
3. Be thrilled that the latest albums by the Hold Steady Heaven is Forever (Vagrant Records), The New Pornographers Together (Matador) and Minus the Bear Omni (Dangerbird) all cracked the top 50 this week
4. Wish you were in the UK hanging out in your chalet with your music friends going to the latest ATP festival
5. Watch the debut video for “What’s In It For” by Avi Buffalo
6. Marvel at the fact that 1000 people came out to the recent Broken Social Scene instore at Amoeba Records in Los Angeles and buy a copy of their new album Forgiveness Rock Record on Arts and Crafts
7. Read Mike McGonigal’s excellent oral history of seminal nineties act Galaxie 500
8. Visit your local vinyl emporium to see if there are any more Record Store Day goodies floating around (you may be pleasantly surprised)
9. Download the new track “Lights” from Interpol and rue the fact that bassist Carlos D has left the band
10. Purchase the much praised new album High Violet from The National
11. Mark down the date for the 2010 Siren Festival in your calendar (July 17!)
-Cool Hand Luke
| Posted in Indie Dispatches, Uncategorized | No Comments »