I think based on technology, especially short videos, making most of the youth’s attention spans extremely short, yes, releasing singles is probably a smarter business model. It is the older fan base, that will most likely prefer a complete album.
Although, I must say, even in my youth, I would have preferred if bands had shorter EP’s that were all killer, no filler. I also remember the days of 45 records, where one could buy just a hit single.
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Album. In the old days…….there was pressure to make a complete or whole album. Bands would be almost finished…..and struggle to come up with that last song or two. That pressure occasionally produced a gem. ‘Carry on Wayward Son’ is the first example I can think of. If anyone recalls any others…….please let us know. ‘Paranoid’ too.
You’ve Got Another Thing Coming was a last minute track on SFV…the rest is history!!!
To answer your question with a question: What is the artist’s prime motivation for putting out an album or single – profit or artistic expression? If it’s purely profit, then they shouldn’t put out albums OR singles. Neither (with rare exception) make money in the digital/streaming age. If they’re putting out albums as an artistic statement, then they should most definitely release albums (sales be damned)!
And in real life, I think a lot of newer artists’ motivation is the latter and that’s why they continue to release albums. Sadly (but understandably), I think too many older artists are viewing things from an old-school lens and looking solely at the profit margin and deciding it’s not worth it to spend the money and time to put out something new, and instead just tour endlessly (I’m looking at you, Guns & Roses!). And this is why I have SO much respect for someone like Robert Plant. He’s in it for the art and continues to make new full-length albums, venture into adventurous and unexpected musical territories, and has the healthy attitude (and bank account) that making music purely for commerce is no longer realistic. He seems to not even consider album vs. single. He just does what he pleases. And his true fans have come along for that ride!
RTunes,
Please don’t kid yourself, even back in our day, many bands were also in it for the money. If money was only icing on the cake for them, then their record labels contractually expected them to produce a product that made them a profit.
After all, in many cases for desperate bands, or artists that were not financially savvy, many sold their rights away. If they were smart enough to hold on to their publishing, like Poison, they would still owe the record company for paying their recording fees, etc.
Always have been and always will be a full album guy. When CDs first came out they would release cd singles. That was the modern 45 or cassette single. But it was always a pain. Who wants to buy a cd that plays one or two songs? And who wants to play a 45 or even worse a cassette? Not me nowadays. I am, have been and always will be a physical media guy for vinyl and CDs. I understand the financial aspect of things. I, for one, started up a band for two reasons: wealth and women! It didn’t work out unfortunately. But those two reasons stemmed from my love of music and my love of the lifestyle that was reflected in music videos and home videos that bands used to release (Kiss Exposed/Motley Crue Uncensored). It looked like a lotta fun. But it still all stemmed from my love of music. When I wrote songs, I was honestly trying to write the best damn song that I could every single time. No filler, not just for something to do. My heart was in it 100%. I never wanted to release a record that had songs people would skip over. I wish bands would approach music in this way today and not let money or laziness be an excuse.
I admire anyone who can write a hit song, or single, it is HARD.
Full-length albums! I understand why bands have shifted toward releasing singles, it’s easier and probably makes more sense in today’s music landscape, but I’m being selfish. I still want the complete real deal, start to finish.
Full albums. If i like the band, I’m going to purchase the album, I won’t purchase the single if the song is already included/going to be included on the album. I will only buy the single if it’s a non album track.