What up:)
Adam here… This blog is a huge ?QUESTION? for you… my hope is that you’ll jump into the discussion and just post a comment of your thoughts no matter how small or big… if you’re like me, you like to just casually read stuff/blogs and never leave any evidence that you’ve been there… but maybe this time, throw down.
I’m really interested in what you think about this… I know Nic, Jules and Matt are too… as we’re deciding if we’re gonna release EPs or a full length album, this is on our front-burner as a band………….. it’s a new world out there in the minds and hearts of music fans, the music industry and artists, (which means everyone eh?)… it’s not ‘breaking news’, that the internet/digital world has changed “everything”… but has it changed everything? There’s new information in our brains… new ways to get it to our ears… new music to make us feel things… but it’s pretty much the same old brain, same old ears, same old feelings in a slightly different form… people are still born naked and made of flesh, bone and that invisible wonder: the soul… no mater how many piercings, aesthetic surgeries, clothing styles, haircuts, makeup applications or whatevers we pile on top of ourselves we’re still just people looking to connect to other people, love and be loved, have some kind of purpose and be understood forever and ever amen…
As a singer-songwriter-whatever, I’m super interested in what it takes to communicate through music and the different ways it can be done… here’s some stuff you already know: over the last hundred years or so music has been ingested more and more through the ever-present form of live performance but also through the “new” form of a recorded medium. Unlike the myriad generations before us, now we can take music with us. Gosh, it wasn’t THAT long ago that we crossed that line from big stereos to the Walkman. Which has given music so many incredible new realms in which it can work it’s magic… we now know what it’s like to hear music while we do almost anything… back in the day it was a little bit hard to bring an orchestra or singer-songwriter into the outhouse with you… or to the creek for a bath… or with you while you ride your horse to your friend’s house. Now, business people everywhere have discovered that music makes almost everything better… shopping, riding in an elevator, driving, walking, running, skiing, skating… actually just sing the theme song to Captain Kangaroo for a list of things you can do while listening to music… and that’s only some of the things… There was a time I had the TV on (which had dialog and music), my computer on my lap, with itunes playing Chris Cornell’s album Euphoria Morning, and I found myself wanting to play ANOTHER song at the same time.
Anyways, we’re increasingly living in a world where we have total control of how, when and what we listen to more than ever before… so people like me are wondering:
Do people really care about ALBUMS anymore? Or do they just want THE ONE SONG they like most?
Do people want to enter the world of the artist for any extended period of time… listen to a whole album, think about it, feel about it, watch the “making of” videos, blog about them etc. etc.? Or do they just want the most easily digestible 4-minute audio-drug: THE CATCHY HIT SINGLE?
Do people care about lyrics? About the artistic-adventurous side of things?
I’m guessing the answer to most of these questions is: ‘who cares’ for some, ‘yes’ for some, ‘no’ for others, ‘it depends’ for some and ‘maybe’ for others… but it’s all about the details eh? Lets find out…
So share whatever pops into your head. Use references if you want… albums, artists… experiences… whatever.
And if you have anything AWB specific to share, that would be appreciated as we make our decision too:-)
Weigh in!
Adam
Adam,
You are a part of the industry. I seriously think what you decide to do here will play a part in influencing where the industry goes and what future groups do. My preference would be that you and the guys release an album. Though my ‘weigh in’ is that you should do what the people that have influenced you have done. Bands like MUSE and others that you became a fan of based on how they released their music to you.
Ryland
I enjoy albums if an artist is going to take the time to make it a great experience start to finish. Otherwise, I don’t mind an EP.
AWB… make an album. I bet you’d do it right!
Adam–You said in the EPK that writing songs was your way of connecting to the world–”everything you could never say into the music and everything you ever wanted to say into the lyrics…together it’s this little world you can put into your hands and show people.” That quote made me think of Romans 8:26 (The Message)
26-28Meanwhile, the moment we get tired in the waiting, God’s Spirit is right alongside helping us along. If we don’t know how or what to pray, it doesn’t matter. He does our praying in and for us, making prayer out of our wordless sighs, our aching groans. He knows us far better than we know ourselves, knows our pregnant condition, and keeps us present before God. That’s why we can be so sure that every detail in our lives of love for God is worked into something good.
Share your world. Make the album.
I think EPs and singles are the way to go. I hate it when I buy a whole album and then realize that only a couple of the songs are really worth the 99 cents. And to be honest, I can’t remember the last time I purchased a whole album.
However, with a whole album I guess you have the potential to reach a larger audience.
Another benefit to an EP is you don’t really have to worry as much about the album art. I don’t think anyone purchases actual CDs anymore anyway!
Hey guys!!
I know that the bands/artists I like (you guys being one of them), I will buy a CD to support you. Also, I like having something physical in hand. A download is nice if there’s only one or two songs I like from an average group. However, from great bands like yourself, I prefer the full album. EPs are alright, but yea…definitely like the album.
God bless!
I’ve been checking the AWB website frequently awaiting the announcement of your new album release, but to no avail.
I (like Joshua) enjoy having that physical full-length CD in hand, so that I can both read the lyrics and check out the credits and thank yous (and have a fool-proof backup of the digital versions I make for my mp3 player)
I recently came close to purchasing the latest AWB songs available, but somehow it won’t feel right if I do. I have “The Noise Inside” and “Sleeping Fire” CDs and I enjoy the way the songs flow together. So, my opinion is to go with the album…I’ll be glad to wait, if the quality is like the previous releases.
Thanks for the great music that reminds me of my sinful condition, but points me to The King for all my hope! My whole family has been moved by it.
Eric,
What kind of music and/or bands are you listening to that you don’t care to buy their whole album? Also, who are all these people you speak of that aren’t buying albums. Yes, whole album sales have gone down in the last three to five years, but albums with artwork is still a billion dollar business.
Adam! Jules! Nic! Matt!
So when I actually buy an album it is usually by an artist that writes some or all of their own words. Subconsciously when some one is writing a song or whatever it is they put their own mark on the verses and have their own style. Whether you are singing your own song or someone else it singing it, the song has that mark that makes it special. Without even knowing who wrote the songs for all those disney movie songs I downloaded to my ipod (yes i will admit to it! i totally still watch those movies) I would listen to them over and over, listening to the words and think whoever wrote them was a genius; then when I got the EP at the PBB event and listened to it for hours on the ride home I could feel the same passion in the lyrics and expressions. When I finally put it all together I was like ok I need more now! You should totally put an entire album out!! people only buy those certain songs to one day find out they’re all written by the same musical genius! and you can bundle them up in a pretty little album tied with a bow! (ok that was the girl talking in me) it doesnt really have to come with a bow! just do it!! or if i havent convinced you enough with my nonsense that probably didnt make sense, then just ask God! he knows all the answers anyways!
i like having a good old fashioned album in my hands. i actually hate buying music off iTunes because i feel a little bit jipped – i don’t get to read the lyrics or see who the artist thanked or who played what on the song(s). so yeah, you should release a full-lengther.
It would be a shame if the talent that is on display here on this site, (the music, photos, and words,) was only limited to this media. It would be a beautiful album to experience…
…though we are right to wonder, are folks slowing down enough these days to sit and enjoy a full cd?
Still, I’d like to show some friends this ‘cool band I found on Myspace music while searching out indie Christian music.’
I agree, you guys would ‘do it right.’
depends. if it’s an artist/band that i really like (such as you guys) i’ll buy the whole album. i like to believe that the album was carefully crafted with the listener in mind.
however, if i’m looking to find a song to fit my mood or from something specific (tv, movie, the elevator) i’ll just buy one song.
essentially, filet mignon vs. popcorn. i like popcorn, but i’d always much rather have the filet.
i like albums and eps when they are on a cd, i like having a back up for my music away from hackers and computer viruses
Hello Guys & Gals,
I think the answer to full length or EP is in how you wrote the songs. Did you write the songs as a group of tunes that compliment each other or did you write a bunch of singles each to stand on its own. Is there a common thread or theme that pulls the songs together as a whole? I think these are questions the artist should ask themselves as they are putting a collection of songs together for a release.
With that said, there is a reason Pink Floyd -”Dark Side of the Moon” is still one of the largest selling collection of songs ever.
Hey just want to start off and say I freaken love your stuff. anyway i have been waiting for your album since i first heard your stuff. I will definately buy the album and listen to it over and over and over agian. I relate to your music and i feel like i know you guys from it. theres a lot you can learn from a band about their albums. from the art, to the thanks yous, to the dedications. you have a more potential to reach people through and album. plus i like buying albums to have that physical copy of it. i don’t know what eric was saying when he stated that no one buys cds anymore.
please make the album…soon, i’m getting hungry for some AWB filet as Andrea put.
i always buy full albums when i’m a fan of the ARTIST; the only time i buy individual songs is when i’m a fan of the song.
and i’m a fan of AWB, so make an album. plus, i think you have enough GREAT songs to make a great album.
As many have said, it depends. When I’m trying out new artists, I love that I can buy the 99 cent tracks. I also like the fact that I can buy just the Fallborn tracks from other CD’s without buying the whole CD. Otherwise, I’d go broke buying every Disney CD manufactured in the last 5 years.
In the case of an artist who I’m pretty much addicted to, I still prefer full length CD. FWIW, I don’t care for the skinny little EP’s. They don’t look good on my CD rack.
Adam, I’m a cd person. I dowload music from itunes, but I like the hard copy as a back up. I also like the full length albumn. How would I know what songs are the best with a 30 second snippet from Itunes. I love to sit in a cd and hear the songs as they come. I love to find the gems that never get heard on the radio and pretend like they are my own discovery. An artist needs to express themselves and they can’t always do that with the most popular song. If it were up to me, I would want every song written and recorded to be available. I can’t ever know if I like a song, unless I have the opportunity to let it permiate. Sing away.
Adam,
Ever since I saw you guys perform at the Flock outreach. (I was with the group of friends that got to have two half beaten drumsticks signed). Any way I care about the lyrics, albums, single songs etc. Cause if you think about it without lyrics, would people really understand the music behind it? Without albums, how can people choose the songs they love the most? Without that single song, would the album even get going. I guess what I’m saying is make an album. Life is all about taking chance. So take a chance and see where it goes. Oh and I would totally buy the album. It took me a long time to get all your other ones, but I got them. And guess what. I loved every song on them.
Being a musician myself, I’d have to say if I connect with the band on an emotional level I want it all – the whole album, the making of, live videos and whatever the band is willing to or has the opportunity to put out there. I instantly connected with this band and the melting pot that it seems to be. Truly beautiful and awesome music and I’ve only heard Poison Soul and some other bits on the posted video.
I can see advantages to a different frame of mind, though. For Adam and the other members, or any musician, it’s all about getting your music and ministry into the ears of others so that you can impact their lives. One thing I will say is that I feel to truly impact someone – whether they’re a music nut or otherwise, you need to connect with them for more than one or two songs. Having said that, some people might hear sound and lyrics of a band and know that this is something they’ll enjoy for many songs to come. Due to a seasoned ear or whatever. Many people, though, seem to hear a song they love and look for more. If they don’t find it they might listen to the song until they wear it out, but that’s it – and the impact of the band is really lost.
Just my thoughts. Great job so far, guys. I hope I have the chance to experience a live show from you sometime soon. God bless.
Thanks Dameon! Stoked you feel that way about what we’re doing… it inspires us to push harder and harder to try to make great music and get it out there…. and yes we’re making a full album!!
Hope to see you at a show soon! (The Gypsy Lounge next Monday in Lake Forest, CA!)
!
Adam
FALLBORN
Good to know that we’re still born naked, it’s reassuring that some things will never change.
You have a good point, there are a lot of people that simply go for the popular single. However, I prefer albums, (which explains the lack of space on my ipod) because you get more music from an artist you enjoy (and it’s not like if you go to their concert they’re only going to play the hit song on repeat), it’s more cost efficient (better than $.99-$1.29/song), and I just enjoy seeing cover art that doesn’t say ’single’ on it somewhere. I actually have friends who chastice me for buying singles (they’re musicians too though.)
Your music is amazing; I actually prefer the other songs to your hit single Poison Soul (since I have majorly overplayed it…) I can’t wait to hear your new album because all of your songs that I have heard have been brilliant.