Album 14 Speculation :3

[weirdojace]

^ Yes, that.

No matter how Al releases new material, it's still Al releasing new material. I'll take it any way he offers it...

[minnick27]

Well look at it this way, we had 5 years between albums, but in that time we got 1 polka, 2 parodies and 4 originals. When we got the album we only had 5 new songs. If al takes another 5 years to put out an album and doesn't do leaks again, people can feel like it's been even longer since they got a full album. I never saw the leaks as spoilers, but I have always seen buying a new album by any artist as an event. Sure I may have heard a song or two, but the whole thing is fresh, and I like that. Did I get the bootlegs from SOL? Yes I did, but I still got to here the album in it's entirety. Did I download all the leaks? I did and I enjoyed them when I bought them. But when I got the full album and was finished listening to the new songs before I even got home from the store that is only a few miles from my house, I was a little disappointed


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I am here: http://maps.google.com/maps?ll=39.910070,-75.330780

[TMBJon]

But when I got the full album and was finished listening to the new songs before I even got home from the store that is only a few miles from my house, I was a little disappointed

My point was that those of us who had already worn out six of the twelve tracks on Alpocalypse represent a VERY slim percentage of the overall Weird-Al-album-buying public. How is it not still "an event" to get to hear five or six new songs on the album's release date? You also neglected to mention the six or seven other "events" when each of the other new songs were first released.

[weirdojace]

Guys, we all knew that the album would contain Internet Leaks in its entirety because Al said it would from the get-go. It was no secret. It's hard to imagine that you can wait for the album to drop, knowing fully that it'll contain at least 5 songs you've already heard, and then pop it in your CD player and say "This album has songs I've already heard! DISAPPOINTING!"

If it means that much to you then don't listen to preview tracks next time I guess. That'll probably be hard to do though.

[minnick27]

But when I got the full album and was finished listening to the new songs before I even got home from the store that is only a few miles from my house, I was a little disappointed

My point was that those of us who had already worn out six of the twelve tracks on Alpocalypse represent a VERY slim percentage of the overall Weird-Al-album-buying public. How is it not still "an event" to get to hear five or six new songs on the album's release date? You also neglected to mention the six or seven other "events" when each of the other new songs were first released.

I mentioned the other six, just didnt use the word event because it was only one song per shot, not as big as 12. And Jace, I wasnt disappointed so much that there were songs I already heard on it, I was disappointed that I only had so few new ones to hear. Six of one, half a dozen of the other I know, but its how my mind works

[ferdinand]

I would be okay with Al releasing some parodies digitally, like he did with WYL, but I would prefer them to be more spread out between the two albums, not just shoved in the middle, if he did. The thing is, though, if Al waited five years between each album, the songs would be extremely dated. Imagine if Alpocalypse came out without any of the five songs on Internet Leaks. How would Al's fans feel about WYL? How dated would it be considered after three years?

[minnick27]

In all fairness Al didnt know it would be this long between albums. He had a summer tour last year that he planned to support the album, then they were optimistic with it being out by christmas. With that thinking a song in 08, 4 in 09, album in 10 isnt too bad

[TMBJon]

I would be okay with Al releasing some parodies digitally, like he did with WYL, but I would prefer them to be more spread out between the two albums, not just shoved in the middle, if he did. The thing is, though, if Al waited five years between each album, the songs would be extremely dated. Imagine if Alpocalypse came out without any of the five songs on Internet Leaks. How would Al's fans feel about WYL? How dated would it be considered after three years?

This is exactly what I am talking about. People are being critical of the release schedule without any justifiable reason why they are upset. What do you mean "shoved in the middle"??????
The whole "dated" argument makes no sense either. How dated are the songs from all twelve of Al's previous albums? Al has always stayed away from topical humor specifically to avoid dating his songs. What's the difference when they are released? Party In The USA will still be a funny parody target 20 years from now, just as U Can't Touch This is still a funny parody target today. It won't matter if Party In The CIA is first heard in November of 2010 or June of 2011. And as far as Whatever You Like, are you seriously asking how dated it would be three years later? Well... actually it has been three years so I guess the answer is self-evident.

[Mystik Tomato]

This is exactly what I am talking about. People are being critical of the release schedule without any justifiable reason why they are upset. What do you mean "shoved in the middle"??????

I think what the point that they're tmaking is how closely the songs were released with each other.

Whatever You Like - (8 months) - Craigslist - (1 month) - Skipper Dan - (1 month) - CNR - (2 weeks) - Ringtone

The fact that the length of time between them all is declining down until it was 2 weeks or so between releases is likely the "huge chunk" that everyone's talking about. What I see as a much better way to go about it would have been to have one song released every three months in 2009.

I get what you're saying, Jon, about how it's absurd to think that it "spoils" the album. But I can see where the "chunk" arguement.is coming from.

[Way_Moby]

Here's the timetable:

WYL--------------CL--SD----CNR--RT------------------------------------------PTW----ALPOCALYPSE!!!

This is very disjointed... The tracks were released as chunks and then... nothing... for almost a year+.






THEN the album showed up, with half new tracks. I'd already heard half the album, so the other half was the new part. Half the album had been leaked a year and a half early, and when the album finally arrived, it was like a banana that had already been half eaten. Still wonderful tracks, and yes, as Jon mentions, the album is now a time capsule and the songs are still funny and will age.

However,

This does not take away from the fact that, leading up to the album, I lost interest very quickly. I downloaded the first three digital leaks, and then got super bored. Then I sorta forgot about the new album altogether. I realize that Al has a lot to do, but a 1.5 year hiatus after teasing us with tracks for a new album was, IMHO ridiculous. "Alpocalypse" (although a great album) was almost Al's "Chinese Democray."

You mention "Off the Deep End." Let's us this album as an example. Al recorded 7 songs in 1990 for his new album (mostly originals). However, without a lead single, he waited to release his album. When SLN finally came about, he released the album in 1992. Fans loved that album. They bought it up and it was all good. Some said the Milli Vanilli parody was a little dated, but I haven't heard much damning criticism about. Imagine if Al had released "The Plumbing Song" as a single in 1990, then "Trigger Happy," then "When I Was Your Age," etc. (Yes I realize the singles market was different back then, but this for all intents and purposes). When 1992 had finally rolled around and "Off the Deep End" was released, the critics and fans would've moaned and complained that HALF THE ALBUM had already been released. The album would've probably still sold well (because of SLN) but it would've felt like a compilation, with that especially 'dated' Milli Vanilli parody on it. This is my opinion of "Alpocalypse." The album is great, but it feels like a "Exile on the Mainstream" Matchbox 20-esque greatest hits comp+new material release. I already heard "WYL" 2 years ago, but I haven't heard "PITCIA." In fact, many reviews I've read have complained that many of the tracks had already been released (Allmusic comes to mind). Mediocre reviews = mediocre albums sales.

Jon, you also mention that this view is narcissistic. The answer is, yes it is. I'm totally happy with whatever Al does because he makes the music, but I don't listen to his music solely because I want HIM to be happy. I listen to his music because it makes ME feel happy. I buy his music because I want it. This is the same for anyone who listens to music. No one buys an album 100% based on selfless ideals. Sure, someone might say "I want to support [insert artist here], even if their album sucks..." but deep down they WANT that record because THEY enjoy the music. Music is very selfish based.

Using a simple example. [Insert Your Favorite Band] is releasing an A) new album or B) compilation album with new tracks. Which are you more excited for? Why obviously, the new album, because it is fresh and exciting to hear for the first time. For instance, if DEVO releases a new album, it will be awesome. If DEVO releases a greatest hits album it will be all yawn-yawn action.

Ergo, my argument lies on several main points.
First, the timing in which Al released the songs was ridiculously stretched out.
Second, the album was not released like "Off the Deep End" which had an excellent release strategy
Third, the album felt like a compilation album
Four, music and buying music is based, for the most part, solely on listener enjoyment and gain. New music is better than 1/2 new music + 1/2 old stuff

If Al had appeased me, the timeline should've looked like this:

/---------------Fan teasers---------------\/--Public tease--\/----Album---\
WYL--------------CL--SD----CNR--RT-----LEAD SINGLE----ALPOCALYPSE!!!

Is that TOO much to ask? Am I TOTALLY unreasonable?