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While bands can produce singles or even EPs — shorter CDs that are four to eight in length —������ every fe��w m �onths�����, ������the ti�m�����e and �m���oney �������������������that go into a full�-������length release make it difficult to replicate the process more than once every couple of years. Photos: Agencies Is the album dead? No — and yes The age of the album as the primary organizing principle for a band’s output appears to be nearing an end for most — but not all — musicians

by Ricardo Baca NY Times News Service, Denver

the not-too-distant rock ’n’ roll past, the thought it deserves these days, adding Nod Up and Down (To the Simulcast Lonely Astronauts the same year they put intermingling stories and references to artists spent months and sometimes even more confusion to a flailing music Singing), in 2006. out an impressive four EPs — shorter CDs figures and stories from records past. years piecing together 10 or 12 like- industry that was worth just US$10 billion in As the trio was supporting the full-length that are four to eight songs in length. Kentucky-based singer-- Inminded tracks underneath the umbrella of a 2008 — down from US$14 billion in 2000. release a couple of years ago, they made the Arthur is indeed a prolific writer. But cellist Ben Sollee’s debut full-length, full-length album. But then again, who can blame them? decision not to make another album — ever. oftentimes it doesn’t feel right to compile a Learning to Bend was celebrated for its The album was thematically coherent Release an intelligent album, and they “From here on out, we’re going to digitally certain set of songs on a full-length record, cohesive subtlety, and he can’t wait to and methodically thought out. It represented get insider praise, maybe a complimentary release two tracks at a time, an A-side and a he said. write another album. a carefully sequenced idea or character or media write-up. They’ll find a small group of B-side,” said bass player Tyler Campo. For Arthur, the songs dictate the method “I still love albums,” he said. “They allow philosophy. fans who actually pick up the entire release “We haven’t put out a full-length for of release. Right now he’s writing a full- you to work the continuum of musical styles The album was an art form. Think Pink and listen to it the way it was meant to almost three years, but this way we can length album. He knows this because the that you’re dealing with. It’s not a sonnet, Floyd’s The Wall, Buffalo Springfield’s self- be listened to — from front to back while produce something for fans more often, songs are pouring out of him, and they it’s a whole play.” titled classic, and the Beatles’ sprawling yet thumbing through the liner notes. putting something out every two months seem to fit together. But that’s not to say Sollee also gets that writing and hugged-together “white album.” The more likely situation: Fans will sample instead of every two years.” that something might be left over from the recording another full-length is going to take But those albums, classics indeed, are songs on blogs and share Web sites like The strategy of releasing only singles process — a or three or five. time — and that it’s a good idea to release relics in a contemporary music business Limewire without spending a dime. Artists — two-track downloads — will save “At that point, the EP becomes a great new product and keep his face in front of obsessed with the almighty single. might see royalties on a couple of tracks Cowboy Curse pressing costs and artwork solution,” he said. fans. “It has to do with supply and demand,” Albums barely register these days. Can listeners decide to download. They might not. headaches. But most important, the constant When you look at it from an artist’s Sollee said. “It doesn’t really make sense to anyone name more than three tracks off In 2008, 57 million full albums were flow of new material will keep the band perspective, it’s easy to understand the put all your eggs in one basket and then not Beyonce’s latest record? Does anyone even downloaded, while just more than 1 billion current in its fans’ minds. decline of the cohesive full-length. But that release anything for a couple years.” know the album’s title? singles were sold, according to the Recording “I like the idea of listening to records doesn’t soften the blow. On Oct. 1, 2008, Sollee went on a Critically speaking, no one expects Industry Association of America. myself,” Campo said, “but I don’t think it’s a True music aficionados revel in the songwriting tear and dished out two tracks much from Beyonce, whose I Am … Sasha The time and money that go into a full- great way for us to go as a band.” experience of fully realizing a record, tied to the national psyche one month before Fierce was released late last year. But even length release make it difficult to replicate Brooklyn-based singer-songwriter Joseph learning its quirks, its lulls, its heartbreaking US President Barack Obama was elected. the recording industry’s old-timers — Paul the process more than once every couple Arthur respects the album as an art form. moments. The proper full-length record He could have waited for his next full-length McCartney, Elvis Costello and Eric Clapton of years. Just ask Denver indie pop band His 2008 full-length release, Temporary rewards listeners for paying attention. to release the tracks, but instead he pushed included — are pushing products that sound Cowboy Curse, which released a five-song People, was a stunning collection of 12 Listen closely to the Decemberists’ March them forward— and used digital distribution. hurried, rushed, incomplete. EP in 2003, a three-song maxi-single in vibrant songs. But fans will remember that release, The Hazards of Love, and you The songs were on MP3 players before Few artists are giving the full-length album 2004 and a well-received full-length album, it was released by Arthur and his band the will be treated to recurring characters and the election on Nov. 4. PLANET

edia helicopters hovered “What’s wrong with being the public to switch to digital player in this grid,” said Time sang, and we got it utterly wrong. M overhead and photographers naked?” he demanded of a police television. magazine television critic James You watch it back and it is camped out in front of Japan’s top officer who tried to question him Kusanagi’s agency, Johnny Poniewozik. “They’re a family, embarrassing,” said Cowell. talent agency last week after one after receiving a complaint about and Associates, a big name in the a dysfunctional family, and it’s Beam him back up! Leonard of television’s cleanest-cut stars the noise, Kyodo news agency said. Japanese entertainment world, tough to mess with that.” Nimoy says he would be onboard was arrested for public indecency. Kusanagi, 34, shot to fame issued an apology. Cowell, who also has a for more Star Trek. After a 19-year Tsuyoshi almost 20 years ago as a member “We apologize deeply for the hit show on the other side of absence, Nimoy reprises his iconic Kusanagi of the of SMAP, the popular boy band trouble and worry caused to the pond, said on Friday he role as Mr Spock in director J.J. pop group whose five members have gone everyone, especially his fans,” the was embarrassed at his initial Abrams’ new Star Trek prequel. SMAP was on to monopolize Japanese agency said in a faxed statement. reaction to the UK’s latest singing Paramount Pictures is already found drunk TV screens in everything from Call it an “idol” threat. Fox sensation , but warned preparing a sequel to the highly and naked drama to variety and even television faces an uncomfort- that just because she is a hit with anticipated sci-fi franchise reboot in a public cookery shows. able future when the two biggest fans, she is not a winner yet. set to premiere May 8. park in The slender Kusanagi is seen stars on its No. 1-rated show Cowell, the creator and a judge “If J.J. Abrams calls me, I Tokyo in the as perhaps the most serious of the American Idol openly discussed on Britain’s Got Talent, said he ’s naked romp will cost answer the phone,” Nimoy said early hours five, known for his acting skills leaving, which experts said could was fed up with stories about the him a string of lucrative advertising deals. during a recent interview. “I don’t of the morning, and fluency in Korean, which send viewership plummeting in hair, eyebrows and cats of the photo: Reuters say ‘never’ anymore.” Nimoy, his agency said in brought him fame in South Korea. future seasons. never-married 47-year-old Boyle, 78, chuckled when asked about

POP a statement. He But Thursday’s incident Paula Abdul, whose often and he urged her to focus now sweetheart for the big one — the possibly reuniting on-screen with was alone and risks damaging the commercial quirky behavior has been a hot on winning the television talent semifinal. Shut the door, choose William Shatner, the original shrieking at juggernaut of SMAP, whose topic for years, told ABC News competition. the right song and come back as James T. Kirk actor who doesn’t the top of his members, especially heartthrob program Nightline that her “She has got four weeks to who you are, not who you want to appear in the new voyage. Nimoy voice, media Takuya Kimura, are popular with contract ends after this season. prepare for the biggest night of be,” he said. said Shatner told him “now we’re reports said. advertisers. Corporations including And acid-tongued Simon Cowell, her life, and she has got to sing Boyle, a spinster who lives even” in regard to appearing in Toyota said they were pulling whom critics call the show’s real better than she sang before with alone with her cat, became one the Trek prequel after Shatner She’s got talent, commercials starring Kusanagi. star, gave several interviews in all those expectations on her. But of the world’s hottest celebrities cameoed without Nimoy in 1994’s but is Susan Even Communications which he contemplated an exit it could all go horribly wrong for last week after surprising judges Star Trek: Generations. Boyle ready for Minister Kunio Hatoyama when his deal ends next year. her because there are so many with her rendition of I Dreamed a Nimoy will next appear as what’s next? expressed anger, because “You take out one person other distractions,” Cowell told Dream on the popular talent show. Massive Dynamic founder William Photo: Reuters the actor was the face of a like Paula or Simon, [and] TV reporters in Los Angeles. “We were all guilty on the Bell in the May 12 season finale of government campaign to get you’re affecting every other “Get yourself together panel of judging her before she Fox’s Fringe. — Agencies