Lefsetz Letter » Blog Archive » The New Reality

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Your forum is the perfect channel to vent my recent frustration with the music labels and hopefully be heard. The industry is polarizing what is left of their core consumer base.

I am an authentic music consumer. I spend money on music. A lot of money. I’m one of those traditionalist who still purchases albums because I cherish the artwork, liner notes and I enjoy basking in the glory of my abundant record collection. There is nothing better than a great ALBUM. They are still a valid art form.

After reading some positive reviews I purchased the most recent Velvet Revolver album with much anticipation. The transaction occurred at Newbury Comics( $13.99 +tax), while I was vacationing back in my old town of Newton, MA . Needless to say it is a very fine rock album. The band has found its own sound that is neither GNR nor STP. A slick dance, rock, pop record with some excellent singles. Blows the debut out of the water. Buy it, despite my contention below.

Being the fanatic that I am, I continue exploring more about the album on on Amazon, allmusic.com and the iTunes. But wait. I notice that there is a song "Messages" that iTunes reviewers are raving about (It is the number 5 on the VR top download singles). That song is not on my album! So I investigate and for $11.99 there is a Deluxe Edition of the album on iTunes with two extra tracks "Messages" and a cover of Talking Heads’ "Psycho Killer" which sounds pretty rockin’ as well.

I want those songs.

Now, I am an educated, intelligent marketing guy. If these songs were BUNDLED in the album purchase MAYBE I would understand why they aren’t on my album. That would make sense if they want people to buy the WHOLE album on iTunes instead of just singles.

But no. You can purchase all the songs a la carte. So WTF? $$$.

Here I am a REAL music consumer, who GOES to record stores, BUYS albums, spends money on music and I feel ripped off. I am the industry’s hardcore target and they screwed me! If I want those two tracks that iTunes consumers were able to purchase with the album ($11.99) I will have to pay an extra $1.98 making my grand total $15.97… four bucks more!

Come on, man! Do they want us fans to still buy albums in stores or what? Don’t the labels want to maintain their retail revenue streams and in store presence? Shouldn’t I be incentivized with extra tracks NOT the iTunes consumer who can purchase singles? Talk about sending mixed freakin’ messages. I work in the industry and understand value of music and WHY we need to spend on albums… I can’t even imagine what the average, ignorant consumer is thinking these days.

jason gluskin | manager of marketing solutions | live nation alliances