I've been a subscriber/reader of [url=Alternative Press]Alternative Press[/url] for years. I can remember when albums that were especially despised by a reviewer would, instead of simply receiving a #1, as the lowest ranking on their 5 point review scale, they'd receive a slightly grainy photo of one particluraly dreaded finger. I also remember when AP spent more time reviewing music than they did video games and movies. Now *those* were the days.
These days, I hear AP is in financial trouble... and I'm sorry to report that I am not at all surprised. AP execs, I'm sure, would site the internet as the cause for the recent decline in sales. (Ironically the same argument used by the RIAA). However, I would have to disagree. Rather, I believe AP has lost its creative vision. In the days prior to the internet, AP was the place to find music that was not receiving mainstream radio play, or to find out more about the music that your local college radio station was spinning at all hours of the day and night. Hence the title of the magazine, "Alternative Press." AP provided an [i]alternative[/i] to what corporate radio was shoving down our throats in heaping helpings. These days, AP is anything but [i]alternative. [/i]
If I see one more AP cover with Blink 182, Good Charlotte or Fred Durst, I'm gonna puke -- then I'll cancel my subscription.
Now.. don't get me wrong. It's not as though these aren't decent, even good, bands. They are. After all, these are the bastard children of alternative music's iconic fathers: REM, Iggy Pop, The Velvet Underground, The Clash, Elvis Costello... (the list goes on and on) and so, of course, I appreciate them. Nor do I lament the fact that "alternative" music has become mainstream music, or maybe I should say that mainstream music now [i]claims[/i] to be alternative. Either way, it was bound to happen. What I do lament, however, is that AP has abandoned true alternative music makers in favor of mainstream exposure. (Why should I read AP to learn about Blink182 when they are all over mainstream radio and MTV?) Sadly, rather than being a haven for great bands who may not be major label material, AP has become another corporate machine, mass producing a slightly more tattood brand of bubblegum. Case in point, I recently read that AP, who sells advertisement space to Indie labels has ceased selling ads to or even covering bands from certain genres (including goth and goth sub genres) that "do not appeal to its readers." What the ????? At this moment, Nick Cave is turning in his grave (even though, admittedly, he is not technically dead).
Luckily, there are many other quality music publications out there that have picked up the gauntlent that AP has sadly dropped. They include:
Some of these are currently just online e-zines with reviews of varying quality. But others are true gems, and some even produce actual magazines on glossy paper, with... if you're lucky, a free CD inside containing music from bands you've never heard of before -- but isn't that the point?
posted by: SamAdams (reply)
post date: 02.29.04 (8:39 am)
It is amazing how rapidly the technology has changed and now permits online music... CDs ...
Reply to: krazedone
No worries ~ I consider the ability to render someone speechless, a supreme compliment. :)
Thanks for the comment and reading. :)
posted by: SamAdams (reply)
post date: 02.29.04 (12:37 pm)
Nothing "old" about you--- juniperflux ...
You are very much alive...
Well done :)SAM
posted by: mediachick (reply)
post date: 02.29.04 (12:38 pm)
In agreeal.
posted by: DarkMood (reply)
post date: 02.29.04 (12:59 pm)
What free music on CDs. Did the RIAA authorize this? I mean the masses might have an opinion of their own, they might make a judgement call. This isnt right.
But it should be the way.
Great Blog
Regarding magazines:
I've been buying Lollipop (with a "free" MP3 CD included in every issue) lately. The magazine's OK, but having 150+ new songs to check out (some of which are goth/industrial & indie-pop) makes the purchase worthwhile.
Also: I still like "Outburn" but (like "AP") the content is moving towards punk & metal. Have you checked out the latest "Outburn"? It seemed like the only albums to get 10-out-of-10 were punk CD's, and they printed a few letters-to-the-editor of people complaining about the shift in focus away from goth/ethereal/industrial.
I'm actually listening to a lot more punk than I was a few years ago, but I still buy Outburn for the dark music focus it used to have.
What other magazines (besides the ones jflux listed) would you recommend?
