The speed of music in the U.S., I've always felt, is controlled, or tried to
be, by big business. MTV, the big record companies, and mainstream radio all
take a more business-like and therefore more profitable approach to the
music industry. They prefer to appeal to the lowest common denominator of
musical taste, moving at a conservative rate. It's about advertising and
selling horrible American beer at concerts. I cant speak for Great Britain,
but it's hard work finding and getting access to good quality underground
music in the U.S..
Look what happened to Prince (I know he's not a/j, just bear with me). The
man was able to create sometimes as many as three albums a year, but Warner
would only let him release one per year (if he was lucky) when they had
their hands in his pocket. They were playing the industry, whereas Prince
was just playing his music. Artists complain that when they go in to discuss
record deals, there are more lawyers and market analysts (I emphasize the
anal part of analysts) than producers.
I refuse to watch MTV, and rarely listen to the big radio stations, because
they are forcing their crap down my throat.
They overplay an artist's work until you can't stand them anymore.
Paul