Synthpop Compilations

[~Ninthwaver]

Hi

OK, I guess this is pretty much a bid for feedback and attention, but it's Friday and things are slow as we approach the weekend!

What do people think about compilation CDs? We just put out Electricity 2 and the chirping I hear of the crickets seems to be drowning out feedback about it.

My question is- Do you like compilations? Or are you tired of buying CDs with 15 bands on them when all you want is a whole CD from a band...? Are compilations a dead art form?

Discuss if you want :-)

[~arronc]

For me compilations tend to take the place of singles.

It depends on the compilation, but I like CD's in that there are absolutly the best tracks from each band.

I wish there were more cross labels comps though. Electro Neuvaux was the one of the best Id heard put together.

Electricity 2 fullfils these critera, and I thought it was great.

I think the future would be for all the labels to make a joint comp, and all be commited to joint marketing etc.

If there was a joint add/ninthwave/cohaagan/whoever else
compilation which was released regularly, it would be a storming listen.

I dont think remixes work to well on comps though, as they are too long, and usually just curiousities.

PS : if the Living on Video DVD had had an audio companion, it would have been amazing.

[~jetjaguar15]

I personally really like compilations, especially with a good mix of exclusive material from established artists and new, previously unheard artists.

As for Electricty 2, I'm really enjoying it. I just started my review of it the other day, and it's gonna take a while.. but hopefully it'll be worth it.

[~Scar Chemik]

I buy a whole lot less comps now then I used to because bands put song samples on their web sites. I used to buy comps to sample bands not because of the songs on them.

Since this scene doesn't get radio play, comps are typically the only way to hear groups, especially ones that aren't club material.

I've seen you're tracklisting for the Ninthwave comp, and it looks really good. I would wait for the reviews and pub to get out and then things should pick up.

[~eurotic]

Hey, check out my thread on the new comp Dead Beat/Sonic Mainline's putting out-- it's got a nice chunk of synth/electroclash and EBM (amongst other things). VERY nice stuff.

-Matt
DJ Eurotic,
who's pimpin' hard for a just cause:)

[~Todd Durrant]

Speaking of cross-label compilations, wait until you hear about "State of Synthpop", a 5-CD compilation put together as a joint effort by many labels and bands. 88 synthpop bands from around the world, all in one place :-)

-Todd

[~arronc]

Wow : thats sounds fantastic ! When will that be available ?

[Avil]

Wow, that sounds incredible! Can´t wait to get it!
I just ordered Advanded E 2, and I guess it will be great as everything else I´ve found here.

I love comps, they tend to show the best of different bands, and you always find something u like a little bit more and pooff, u have a whole new world to investigate.

-Christina

[~CUBALIST MUZIK]

Some very good points have been made above!
‘Electricity II’ is indeed a very complete and consistent album, there’s not a dud in there, as very artist involved submitted very strong tracks (especially Astromill). Compilations like these are indeed both important and extremely essential to help break new and assist existing bands with new material to promote. But there are shortcomings in releasing them, as not all of them recoup the initial financial output of the labels releasing them, so further compilations may prove even more difficult to finance year after year.
Personally, I think for the compilation, as an album, to succeed further and develop itself as a viable release, maybe us artists should only include songs on them that are unavailable on our own albums and not just a remix of an existing song? To help give those that buy these releases the added incentive to part with their hard earned cash?
Also, might the labels in the scene need a hand with distribution? i.e. a business partnership with a professional distribution company that won’t rip us off, so as to help bring the music to the eyes and ears of more prominent and influential people in the business? And maybe some involvement of a professional Marketing Company too?

There’s no reason why there can’t be more compilations that reach the success of the ‘This Is Tech-Pop’ album. Especially when the content is of such quality.

Aidan
www.empirestatehuman.com

[Synthpopalooza]

I agree that synthpop compilations are the best way to discover new music ... it was through compilations that I discovered bands like I Satellite, Astromill, Karacter, Merge ... it seems every new compilation that comes out I discover new bands.

I think a joint compilation featuring material from all the labels in the scene (ADD/Ninthwave/Cohaagen/Plastiqmusiq/Shadowplay) really might do well ... the key tho, is to have exclusive tracks which are not currently available anywhere else. That's been the key to success of both Electricity comps and the Evolution comp.

[~Cohaagen]

Originally posted by arronc


PS : if the Living on Video DVD had had an audio companion, it would have been amazing.

It does have an audio companion, you can put it into your home theater system, press play and turn off the TV :)

Or, if you don't have a home theater system, you can hook your DVD player into your stereo and press play.

[Electroswank]

Originally posted by Todd Durrant
Speaking of cross-label compilations, wait until you hear about "State of Synthpop", a 5-CD compilation put together as a joint effort by many labels and bands. 88 synthpop bands from around the world, all in one place :-)

-Todd

can we get a track or artist list?