The Future of Weird Al Releases

[Bruce the Duck]

I don't really think there will be any pressure to get things out quickly (look how long it took to get the "Fancy" parody done), but pressure (whether real or imagined) to stay relevant. That could lead to cranking out a half-baked idea just because a song is really hot. Hopefully Al won't succumb to this (and I have a lot of faith that he won't) but it's certainly a valid concern.

I think it'll be the complete opposite of what you're describing. It was precisely because of pressure from his record label or a time table that led to weak parodies like "Girls Just Want to Have Lunch" or poor parody targets like "Ruthless People" and "Do I Make You Proud". With time to work at his own pace and not have to meet an agenda or complete 12 songs at a time, I think Al's work will improve and be more timely at the same time.

[minnick27]

I agree with the duck. I dont know that Al rushed on WYL, as far as writing it. He got an idea and decided to try the digital distribution model. He probably knew all along that it was track 11, but still wanted to see how it was received. If he didnt have the WYL idea, the leak could have just as easily been AT. Hell, if he waited long enough PTW couldve been it. He just used it to test the waters. And as for DICYO, that was last minute, but thats because he was able to work out a deal and had the space. It was pribably written much earlier than when it was recorded and he just sat on it until he had studio time scheduled

[Bruce the Duck]

And as for DICYO, that was last minute, but thats because he was able to work out a deal and had the space. It was pribably written much earlier than when it was recorded and he just sat on it until he had studio time scheduled

Possibly, but either way it was a quick fix to get the album done, and one that he probably wouldn't have done if not necessary.

By the way, it's worth noting that "Whatever You Like" got far more media attention at the time of its "leak" than any of the other "Internet Leaks", even though I think most of us would agree that "Craigslist", "Skipper Dan", and "CNR" were far superior songs. Obviously, the general public and the media take notice of Al's parodies more than his originals. I wonder how this will impact Al's future releases.

Will he focus more heavily on parodies of top hits to ensure successful releases at the expense of original content? Or maybe, as has been speculated, he will release originals packaged with a parody each time?

Of course, it would help with exposure if the subject matter of the originals was something popular like the latest Internet meme or being a style parody of a very distinct band.

[JEDM]

Al would be able to be as timely as possible without the interference of a label. If the song(s) sucks, the song(s) sucks. I'm still a fan of a physical product so I hope some sort of CD release(s) are possible in the future.

[anthontherun]

Like Josh said, I'm big on physical releases so I hope Al continues to release those, even if it's just smaller pressings only sold at shows and on the website.

What I'd like to see is EP-style releases. He can stockpile originals as he records them and pair them up with a parody when inspiration strikes. That way the originals can piggyback on promotion of the parody. I think releasing one or two parodies with 3-5 originals every year would be awesome.

To me, there are two big worries:
1. I feel like in the short term we might get songs faster, but in the long run, there will be fewer of them. When Mandatory Fun comes out, it will be 12 new songs after a 3-year absence (four per year on average). With Internet Leaks, we got a grand total of five songs in a similar timeframe.
2. What does this mean for polkas?

[Big Spoon]

2. What does this mean for polkas?

This is my one major concern if Al decides to go all digital.

[Skippy]

What I'd like to see is EP-style releases. He can stockpile originals as he records them and pair them up with a parody when inspiration strikes. That way the originals can piggyback on promotion of the parody. I think releasing one or two parodies with 3-5 originals every year would be awesome.

This is my thinking too. It just makes the most sense. I can't imagine Al is going to stop doing originals, but he understands that parodies are what get the attention. Generally, originals don't go "stale" (with the exception of subject matter) so it's not as big a deal to get them out quickly. (Although if he wants to just put everything out as soon as its recorded, I'm not going to tell him no.)

To me, there are two big worries:
1. I feel like in the short term we might get songs faster, but in the long run, there will be fewer of them. When Mandatory Fun comes out, it will be 12 new songs after a 3-year absence (four per year on average). With Internet Leaks, we got a grand total of five songs in a similar timeframe.

But then we also got 7 more songs within two years. So it's not quite the same pace as MF, but it's close. If he follows the "digital EP" model you outlined, I think that's about the rate we'll see: 4-6 new songs a year.

2. What does this mean for polkas?

The only way I can see this working financially is by collecting everything he's released over a couple of years (or whatever) and re-releasing it as an album with a polka. To keep fans from being forced into buying everything again but not losing money on the polka, he would need to make the polka "album only" and use things like the iTunes "Complete Your Album" feature, which would (hopefully) recognize that those other 11 (or whatever) tracks are the same as the ones on the album. That way, "completing" actually only means buying the polka, but in a way that prevents people from getting it without buying the rest of the album. If that makes any sense.

[eleventhirtyfour]

Actually, regarding the polkas, I almost think if he just gave them out for free on his website (like "You're Pitiful"), then he would probably be losing LESS money than if he tried to sell it and deal with the royalties. He would just have to pay for the actual recording of the track (studio time, etc.) and then it would be done. Just a thought.

[anthontherun]

But wouldn't he still have to get permission to use the songs? Who would allow it for free?

Plus, "You're Pitiful" (and "Perform This Way," initially) wasn't intended as a freebie...recording a song is pretty expensive, and even beyond the legal side of things, arranging a polka medley is a complicated task.

[Bruce the Duck]

Yeah, I have a strong feeling that the Mandatory Fun polka will be the last polka we see from Al. It's a good thing it's supposed to be his best ever.