I know it’s trendy to bash record companies.  They’re an easy target – a group of companies who are clearly dying due to the new realities of the Internet-based economy who stand in the way of a lower-priced item which millions enjoy.     Record companies were at one time a good idea, but through a combination of sleezy behavior in overcharging and treating their customers badly, along with their primary distribution product all but made useless in this day and age.

I’m actually encouraged by what the disillusion of the record industry will do for music in general.   Basically, it takes away this huge gold ring which artists would strive for in order to “make it” in the industry.   You weren’t a “true” musician if you didn’t have a record contract.  Typically, these record contracts make artists much more affluent which they were so before-hand, which often has a role in changing a band’s music.  Not only in terms of the lifestyles which they were accustomed to (which directly can affect the quality of lyrics) and they most often try to change their sound, as they have more resources, production time, and the pressure to make something “huge” for their first major label record.

Sometimes, it actually works.  Sometimes having a big label does help a band.  Death Cab, for example, is still producing excellent work now that they’re on a major label, and they are getting to expand their sound in bigger and (arguably) better ways.    In other cases, you’ll get an Interpol situation, where a band who was great when they were a small and intimate act, get signed to a label and end up trying to become a big rock band and end up losing their focus and producing less than stellar material.   (Sorry guys, Our Love To Admire” wasn’t quite there – although Rest My Chemistry is a pretty great track).

What it does do, in all cases, is separate the band and its fans.    Whenever a band goes to a major label, it’s like a layer is placed between you and the band.  Suddenly, there is this other name and element attached to the band, which may have positive or negative weights attached to it.  With the record labels, it’s typically always a negative weight.

Without record labels, bands simply won’t have the option of “hitting it big” by the definition of getting a record contract.   Basically, you’ll have to advertise yourself by the web, and ride the flow of word-of-mouth.   While this is how I receive most of my music recommendations anyways, it’s not all that foreign to me.  However, sometimes like to be told what to listen to.   That whole element will be downplayed somewhat, without record label budgets to jam gigantic acts down our throats.   I think what we will see, instead, are “groups” of bands which form up under an umbrella name which represents their style.  Much like how web-comics kind of formed organically in that fashion.  It’s going to be interesting to watch how this whole thing plays out.

I have to say, this year in music through – while interesting – hasn’t been all in all terrific in terms of content through.   Some pretty interesting releases, although overall, not as strong as one would have hoped for.   2007 was a pretty banner year for releases, so the lack of content is somewhat expected as bands take breaks and such.    Couple great albums – Vampire Weekend, Sun Kil Moon, British Sea Power, couple near misses – My Morning Jacket (Highly Suspicious – dudes, WTF?), She & Him (can only tolerate so much in one sitting, although its nice), Last Shadow Puppets (only can take so much of the British accents in one sitting).  For the most part, I’m still catching up on last year’s releases.  Nothing huge really hitting later in the year, either.  Sigh.  Oh wells.

Vampire Weekend is really good though.  Seriously.  Infectiously good.