[Rob Babcock]

Over the years, I have made a rule: If I don't like 90-95% of the songs on a CD or album, out it goes. However, I have also found that if you like the artist, you generally like all the music by the artist. That is why most collections feature many albums by the same artist.

You mention not wanting an iPod, a sentiment I emphatically share.  But how about something like an Olive or Squeezebox?  For my own part I can't fathom getting rid of an album I already have because 20% of it is subpar!   That would exclude a lot of great stuff!  Especially a lot of edgy, experimental stuff.  There are lots of bands where I absolutely love some of their stuff and dislike some; to give up on the stellar stuff (especially the discs that are bought & paid for) is throwing the baby out with the bathwater, IMOHO.

And I don't put concept albums on a pedestal- just because a disc was "made" to be listened to front to back doesn't mean it's bearable.  Honestly, how many people can get all the way thru "The Great Gig in the Sky" with all that chick's wailing?   I haven't managed to get thru that entire song in twice in twenty years.   But it's still a fantastic album.

[nathanm]

The recording industry is seeing consistent losses, each 6-months. Why? Well, there are lots of reasons but simply stated, people are buying less CD’s and although downloads are strong they are not making up for the losses in lost CD sales.

One other reason music sales are down is because all the good notes are being used up.  We have hit the mathematical limits unfortunately.

Why stop at selling songs, though?  Why not sell parts of songs?  Break them up into verse\chorus\guitar solo etc.  25 cents per chorus! You could buy DSOTM minus "The Great Gig In The Sky" if you wanted, or just buy the heartbeat section if you're so inclined (you know, for subwoofer stunt music).  Then you could create playlists of just your favorite song fragments.  Why pay for the annoying verses of "Achy Breaky Heart" when what you really want is the refrain?

Additionally, they could sell individual instrument tracks from songs so you could for instance, replace the wailing woman vocal with a different singer or the sound of goose getting it's neck stepped on.  Get a Pantera CD without the drums.  Buy only one chorus of "Midnight Cruiser" and leave the rest on the cutting room floor.  There are many possibilities.

One day it could even be taken so far as to sell musical instruments so listeners would be able to generate their own songs and record them on their iPods.  This technology however, is purely theoretical and decades away from becoming viable.

[Rob Babcock]

Nathanm, you definately stand as proof that the line between genius and madness is razor thin!