Michael Sweet (Stryper) on the state of music

JohnG · 03 Aug 2006

From Michael's Facebook page today but I have heard the same complaint from Ian Astbury (The Cult) about all the effort made to make a new album and then it falls flat in todays environment.

Quote:

I sure miss the old days. At least where hard rock/metal is concerned.
There seemed to be such a high level of excitement and energy regarding a release back in the 80’s. These days there is a certain level of enthusiasm yet it almost feels as though it dies on release day. And I’m applying this to every project.
What happened? Why is it so difficult to keep the interest of the fans? I get it, we’re all older with different lives now and the music world has changed but I’d be a liar if I didn’t say that it’s somewhat frustrating and concerning.
So much time and effort goes into an album and I give my all. I pour every ounce of my soul into it and to see it get (at least it feels this way) less and less attention with each passing year is at the very least disheartening.
Oh well, it’s where things are now. Anyway, I’m just sitting here at home expressing my heart. My apologies if I offended anyone. Although it’s a tough music world, I appreciate all the folks that are still there cheering me on. God bless you all,
M

JosephC · **Joined:** 27 Jan 2011 **Posts:** 2648

Because in the old days, people would actually spend money to buy albums. And since they spent their money, they would also invest their time and give it multiple listens over the following months. There are obviously people who still do that, it's just that the number has dropped from 500,000 people to about 15.000 people. The other 97% now just stream a new album free from somewhere, and then move on to the next album because the last album didn't cost them any money and the next one won't cost them any money either and they have access to anything. Music is now completely disposable. So the reason why all the hype dies immediately after the release date, it's because it's hard for 15,000 people to keep the buzz going for a few months even if an album is exceptionally good.

Rick A · 23 Jul 2006

JosephC wrote:

Because in the old days, people would actually spend money to buy albums. And since they spent their money, they would also invest their time and give it multiple listens over the following months. There are obviously people who still do that, it's just that the number has dropped from 500,000 people to about 15.000 people. The other 97% now just stream a new album free from somewhere, and then move on to the next album because the last album didn't cost them any money and the next one won't cost them any money either and they have access to anything. Music is now completely disposable. So the reason why all the hype dies immediately after the release date, it's because it's hard for 15,000 people to keep the buzz going for a few months even if an album is exceptionally good.

Your observations are right on JosephC. And because of the advent of streaming AND the new generations transition to be free of physical product and have content free as well. They want to travel light, they live in small places and/or still with the parents. Heck, the young current generation doesn't even want cars anymore.

It's a different mindset, everything is on their mobile device with wireless earbuds to tuneout the world.
Short attention spans and too much of everything has enveloped the current generation.

JohnG · 03 Aug 2006

One wonders if even here would we appreciate an album like Rumors or Hotel California if they were released today in this environment where new music does not get played on the radio anymore.

All the classics we enjoy and still play to this day were released in that golden era.

djgarver · 18 Dec 2007

On the other hand, how much new music these days is worth paying for?

I would love to still discover new music that really excites me, but it seems that most of it is just diluted recycling of last years models...

These days when Mojo arrives and I look at the new release reviews I've never even heard of any of it.

Same thing with SNL music guests. For me the majority of it is seems terrible.

The last thing I saw on there that was any good was Billie Eilish a week or so ago, at least her second song was impressive...

I know I'm a victim of old age but still I'm looking for something new to get excited about, but wind up disappointed...

I think the general mediocrity is affecing all the artists the same way the 60s influenced everybody positively when the ideas were fresh...not sure why/how things went stale (corporate greed?)...but then again just an old man gettin' cranky.... :luddite:

Linda · **Posted:** Fri Oct 18, 2019 12:05 am

JohnG wrote:

All the classics we enjoy and still play to this day were released in that golden era.

Classics are still being released every year. Read the "Best Of 2019" thread in December and there'll be a bunch of new releases listed by a bunch of IMWANkers.

It's a shame if newer albums don't sell in the numbers that Hotel California did, whether it's because of streaming or smartphones or Facebook, but failing to shift as many units as The Eagles doesn't make great music any less great. Many important and influential musicians have never made it past cult status in sales, including some who released albums during "that golden era" you referred to.

Michael Sweet (Stryper) on the state of music

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