Gaga: Release The Damn Album, Already!

This post from one of the people I follow on Twitter inspired this. He wrote, "I don't think I can wait another 2+ months for the new Gaga album!" My reply: "I don't understand how the music industry functions any more." And I really don't. I used to not only read but subscribe to Billboard magazine (which is odd for someone who doesn't work in the business) during the 1980s and into the 1990s. And as the years went by and new charts were created, and the methodology for compiling the charts, especially the Hot 100, changed, and as the magazine itself evolved, I lost interest in it.

But things were simpler back then: a record company released the first single from an artist's upcoming album. Then, within a few weeks or so, the album itself would arrive, followed by subsequent singles from that album until it was time for a new album, or perhaps a single from a motion picture soundtrack. (Of course, the number of singles would depend on the popularity of the artist and album.) The advent of music videos tweaked the process a little.

But the modern process is unreal. Singles sales pretty much died until the mp3 format rejuvenated it. Now, I don't know if there's such a thing as a single release unless it's digital. The only CD-singles I ever see are for dance mixes. The only vinyl records I ever see are full-length albums, because there's a segment of the music buyer that prefers the sound of vinyl to digital sounds. And the newfound popularity of buying individual songs seems to have caused people to lose interest in buying full albums, except for certain acts or albums that manage to sell big.

The digital format seems to lend itself to leaks of unreleased songs, which is part of the problem. Let's get back to Lady Gaga.

Whatever Happened To Kevin Seal?

The things you learn when reading Wikipedia. I was checking some things for my summer playlist (coming very soon to a blog near you) and found this humorous note:

Kevin Seal once introduced Sinéad O'Connor's music video of "Nothing Compares 2 U" (which was also composed by Prince) "for all those who missed her version of 'Batdance.'"

(Note: "Batdance," though it's actually so weird that I love it, is not on the summer playlist.)

Now, I don't remember seeing him say that, but I actually do remember Kevin Seal from his MTV days. This is all it says on Wikipedia about him:

Kevin Seal was an MTV VJ in the late 1980s, the host of the pilot of Club MTV (according to an MTV special) and one of the hosts of the influential alternative-music program 120 Minutes, which debuted in 1986. After leaving the program, he hosted MTV's Headbangers Ball from 1987 to 1988 and Kevin Seal: Sporting Fool in 1990. Since leaving MTV, he made occasional TV and movie appearances. In 2000, he was cast as voice talent for both the lead character and primary antagonist in the Cartoon Network series Sheep in the Big City.

So, seeing his name made me wonder where he went.

La La La La La...Daria on DVD

It's just about three months away. May 11 is the official release date for Daria: The Complete Animated Series on DVD -- and the set will include the two TV-movies, "Is It Fall Yet?" and "Is It College Yet?"...




Makes a great gift! ;-)

I found this link on the Daria page on Wikipedia. It mentions that since the rights are so expensive, much of the music on the show will be replaced by cover versions or similar-sounding music. I'm not so happy about this. There are certain scenes where music is a key element. I hope it doesn't affect my enjoyment of each episode. I'd hate to have to settle for my old VHS tapes recorded from MTV.

Jersey Shore Returns: Our Long National Nightmare Is Over

After some money issues were resolved, MTV has announced that there will be a second season of "Jersey Shore."

Their statement says they will follow the cast as they "escape the cold northeast and find themselves in a new destination." So, from what I understand, most or all of these people aren't even from New Jersey, and now the show won't even be located there. So it's still called "Jersey Shore" because...?

I've never watched it, and doubt I ever will. I'll leave the issue of "guidos" and Italian-American stereotyping to others. I want to know, is there really that much fascination with seeing a bunch of younger people act stupid, get drunk, fight, make out, etc? Doesn't it get tired? There are so many "reality" shows with the same type of behavior. What makes this bunch special? Is the success of this show just more proof that people are really dumb/have really bad taste? Or am I getting too old to understand young people?