what we like
10Dec08
Before we get to tomorrow’s Top Five unveiling, I wanted to share a quick run of stats in terms of what kind of records make up this list. Here’s the breakdown:
36 Indie (Indie here meaning basically stuff Pitchfork would review)
10 Electronic
9 Classical
7 Jazz
7 Rock
5 Hip-Hop
5 World Music
4 Country
2 Folk
2 Pop
1 Soul
So obviously indie weighted, but overall I’m proud of that breakdown. Not to get too self-congratulatory, but I have a hard time thinking of another best-of list anywhere that would encompass so much, and so easily. I dunno. I just feel proud of this, and feel proud of what it says about eMusic. I’ll see you in the morning with the Top Five.
“So obviously indie weighted”
yes but indie is a broad catagory (IMHO) and eMusic is a independent label Mecca so indie would make sense; plus we know how y’all roll so as much as some of us “gripe” about the indie weight, we’re only taking the piss (1).
(1) sorry, on second thought, I think maybe only Anna and a few others will understand the phrase in that last sentance (I’ve been re-reading the Hellblazer Series of Comics so my language state is a wee bit brit.
Also for us Hip-Hoppas see this (from today’s eMusic front Page) http://www.emusic.com/features/spotlight/2008_200812-hiphop.html (there’s a lot that I missed over the year that dart covers)
Just wanted to voice my appreciation with what you’re doing on this site. The large amount of good indie rock is the best thing about it. The second best thing about it is the availability of under appreciated and sometimes out of print older rock albums (like your Mahogany Rush, or the recently added Daniel Amos — need to get everything you can from those guys). One thing that may be skewing numbers, though, are incorrect descriptors for some of your artists. I’ve seen at least two or three country bands listed as alternative — and I don’t mean alt.country, but good old time country/western country, some of it sounding like a throwback to the 50s. Looks to me like you have a few people managing quite a bit of music, so I expect some problems along these lines. I leave comments when I think I see music misidentified.
Jim, Glad I’m not the only Mislabel Hound (I usually will post a review to be removed later and also report a mislabel). Hmmm I wonder if my “reviews” skew my recommendation engine. Oh well more skewing more finding I always say. Ok I’ve never said that before but still. . . getting off subject here
Jim I enjoy know that there are like souls out there and that you are discovering things on eMusic that you may have once missed due to the corporate Music industry
The metal gods are weeping
Obzen is a kickass album if you haven’t heard it.
Its a shame that you choose to ignore the fact that despite all the great stuff that has been released on emusic this year, the site continues to be flooded with total garbage ‘tribute’ acts and ‘in the style of’ albums.
Having a 2 million plus catalogue of songs is meaningless if over half of them are karaoke and ‘tribute’ versions.
Check the message board for daily ‘trolls’ who have a point when they find nothing but ‘cover artists’ – why not cut out the garbage Britney tributes and the like concentrate on adding QUALITY over meaningless QUANTITY.
Oh please. World’s smallest violin for the trolls. eMusic is a business, declaring oneself Taste Arbiter of the Universe and deciding what is “garbage” and what is not is a lot of work, thus leaving less time collectively to concentrate on quality, editorial, proper site design etc.
I don’t even notice those albums on the site. Having them there is no skin off my nose, I don’t see how why it should be a problem to anyone.
I don’t know, I think having the lousy tribute bands and karaoke cover albums help a lot. They become a giant beacon of what is inherently unoriginal allowing more time to look for music that is actually good.
It also explains why I can never have a Karaoke party. Because Thao, Interpol, Beirut, Rafter, hell, basically any band I want to sing along to never seems to have a spot.
NankerPhledge – I don’t consider my comment to be trolling – my point is that when emusic has so many great artists there is no need for the junk that gets uploaded each day.
Why not stick to serving good quality indie music and phase out the rubbish- no one would miss it.
Its like emusic has a serious music side and a huge embarassing bargain basement full of tribute acts and karaoke crap. They add nothing to the site, rather they give fuel to the real trolls when they accidentally download this junk.