I listen to a lot of music.  I mean a lot.  Like I’m rarely not listening to music unless I’m on the phone or someone has made me turn it off.  Because of that I’m always looking for new music.  But while I’m always looking for new music, if I find something I like, typically I will buy the whole record just for symmetry’s sake.  I can’t really handle not having a whole record.

That being said, Death Cab For Cutie seems like they are giving the “one song at a time” release method.  We’ve all talked about that in the past.  With iTunes focussing more on singles and the mighty “release of the record’ numbers dwindling, that seems like a legitimate idea right?  I’ve even said it before on here I think.  Forget releasing a record and just throw out a couple songs a month or something.

Well Death Cab, is releasing the record  “Codes And Keys” sort of in a slow release process where you buy the whole record up front, almost like a pre-sale and then once a week you are notified that there is a new song available for download.  Today I got a song called “Underneath The Sycamore”.  It’s pretty good.  I listened to it once.  Then I went back to listening to Brett Dennen’s “Lover Boy”.  An entire record I bought a week or two ago.  Now, I applaud Death Cab for trying something new and accepting the fact that most people aren’t as OCD as me and don’t necessarily need to own an entire record.  What seems like the problem with this method, is that I have already forgotten about Death Cab for the day.  I heard the song once, and since there’s nothing else, I’m back to a record that I can hear as a whole.

“Underneath The Sycamore” was the fourth or fifth song that I’ve gotten from the record so far and to be honest, I can’t even tell you the names of the other songs.  My attention span isn’t long enough to commit to learning a record or finding my favorites until I have the whole thing and can process it as a whole.  I can’t even really say it’s a good record yet.  So, is this process working?

Now, again, I think it’s awesome that they are trying something new, but I think if it were up to me I’d say this process creates a more forgetful record than the release of something special.  Does that make sense?  When there is hype around a record release, even if most people buy just the singles, they know when it comes out.  With this process, I simply don’t pay attention that much, and I don’t even know when the real record comes out.  They did get my $12 though, so I guess something is working.

Anyone have any opinions about the way music is being released?  Do “Release Dates” matter anymore?

Death Of The Record Release? is a post from: Brody Harper

Alright people.  You know the drill.  Today is release day for a one Mrs. Natalie Grant.  I’ve been pretty heavily involved in this project, so it’s time for all the SkörKeepers to step up and start spreading the word.  Make sure if you Tweet it, use the hashtag #LoveRevolution.  Also make sure you use the link – http://bit.ly/bNFOk2 either on Twitter or Facebook.  And for the 3 of you still on Myspace, do something there too.

Now that the business is done I’d love to know what you people think about this record.  I know this crowd has a pretty diverse musical style so I’m interested in your thoughts.  Thanks for spreading the word and being a part of this community.

Natalie Grant’s ‘Love Revolution’ Today is a post from: Brody Harper

Well, it’s a big day today.  I feel like I’ve been more involved MercyMe record than anything I’ve ever been involved in as far as work goes.  From the packaging, to the web, to being involved in the planning conversations with the band and the label.  It’s crazy that it’s finally here.

Last night at midnight I started watching Twitter start to slowly pick up speed and all of the sudden ‘Lovewell’ was everywhere.  When I went to bed last night ‘The Generous Mr. Lovewell’ was sitting at #7 on all of iTunes.  That seems like a pretty big deal when it’s knocking off folks like Ke$ha and all.  Not too bad, eh?

Along with the release of the record we’ve also launched a brand new MercyMe.org and also a new ‘movement’ over at MrLovewell.com.  All sorts of crazy things going on, but it’s awesome to see all this work finally come to the forefront.

So anyway, check out the new sites, let me know what you think.  Check out ‘The Generous Mr. Lovewell’ and let me know what you think of the packaging.  I’m curious your thoughts.

‘Lovewell’ Release is a post from: Brody Harper

Alright folks.  I had lunch with a Mr. Brenton Brown the other day and coincidentally yesterday that same Mr. Brenton Brown released a new record called “Adoration”… and that’s good news for you.  Because now you have some music to go buy on iTunes.

See, I’ve talked to Brenton numerous times on the phone and, like you, I have gotten to know and love him on his blog, but this was the first time I had actually met him face to face.  The problem?  He lives in California and we can’t hang out more because he loves to surf or something, but that doesn’t mean you can’t go get his record now.

So go.  Now.

Brenton Brown’s ‘Adoration’ is a post from: Brody Harper

Did you get it?

Hello Hurricane is a post from: Brody Harper

So, if you remember the other day I had that ‘super secret project’ that turned out to be not as much of a ‘secret’ so I blogged about it?  Well, tonight is sort of a ’round two’ of that only this one isn’t secret at all.  This is a full blown broadcasted evening with Steven Curtis Chapman.  Turns out the other one went so well that they wanted to do it again, and called me back.

So tonight at 9PM Steven will be playing some songs, talking about his record that came out today and answering some questions all from the World Wide Internetland.  Now, I’m going to warn you though.  When he starts talking about the songs and meaning behind this record I promise you will choke up.  So guys, if you want to be all manly and junk watching it, just make sure you have some sunglasses next to you so no one can see you like Rocky Balboa did in Rocky 4.

Seriously though, take an hour tonight and head over to Steven’s Facebook page and check out his amazing story of loss and recovery through the making of this record.  It will blow your mind.  I’m honored to be a part of it.

A Night With Steven Curtis Chapman (Again) is a post from: Brody Harper

I was first introduced to ‘The Shanes’ in 2001 when I was browsing through some independent music website and stumbled on to Shane Barnard’s indie version of “Psalms”.  The first song I listened to was a song called ‘Psalm 145′.  I got about thirty-seconds into it and bought the whole record.  From that point on Kristin and I have been fans.  Obviously now, ‘The Shanes’ have joined forces and become an even better songwriting team.

Well, if you haven’t noticed the last month or two has been the season of releasing records and today is Shane & Shane’s turn.  Today marks the day of the boys releasing “Everything Is Different”.  Now, over on their site they have been playing videos of each of their songs so head there for a preview… or you can just take my word for it and go directly to buy it.  It’s classic Shane&Shane, but somehow a fresh new sound too.

Check it out, and come back here and let us know what you think.  And here’s what I’m thinking today.  In the comments let me know which Shane&Shane albums you own.  Ready?  Go.

Shane & Shane – “Everything Is Different” is a post from: Brody Harper

So, most of you know that we recently started working with a band called FFH.  While we’re still in the process of a full site design and build we have started working with them on some little things, and today their new record “Wide Open Spaces” is officially available on FFH.net only.

I had a chance to sit down with Jeromy and Jennifer a while back and it was awesome to get to know them a little bit and hear about where this record is coming from.  They are definitely some awesome people and from what I’ve heard from this record it’s pretty amazing too.  In fact, click here and check out the song “This Is What It Feels Like”, and tell me you’ve never felt that way.

Anyway, make sure to check out the record, go buy it, and come back here and let me know what you think.  And also, make sure to check back at FFH.net for updates soon.

FFH – ‘Wide Open Spaces’ is a post from: Brody Harper

Today’s the day folks.  Daniel Renstrom’s ‘On The Incarnation’ is officially available on iTunes and at his store.  Now here’s the deal.  There is absolutely no reason you wouldn’t buy this record.  I’ve never been a huge fan of Christmas music because it all seems to sound the same, but there are two records that have changed that for me.  Andrew Peterson’s ‘Behold The Lamb Of God’ and Daniel’s ‘On The Incarnation’.

So here’s what we are going to do.  Fist up, you’re going to go buy the record.  Then you are going to love it.  Then I want to hear your favorite song on here.  Then you will love the record so much that you will blog about it, put it on your Facebook and Twitter about it.  Sounds like an awesome plan huh?

Here’s my favorite.

So that’s your project today.  So let’s hear it.  Favorite song on the record?  Go.

‘On The Incarnation’ is a post from: Brody Harper

Not only is this an epic worship song, but this entire record is amazing.  I’ve been excited about this record coming out for about six months now, and today is the first step toward it’s release.  If you haven’t already, stop what you are doing and go download it from iTunes right now.

On top of releasing this song the boys in Fee have put together a little Twitter giveaway over on their blog, where you can enter to win an autographed pre-release copy of the record before it comes out in October.  Not a bad deal.

So here we go.  Step one:  Go download the song “Glory To God Forever” from iTunes and leave a review on the iTunes page.  Step two:  Head over to Fee’s blog, and check out the Twitter Giveaway and follow them on Twitter for a chance to win the pre-release of Hope Rising.

Sounds like a pretty Positive Post Tuesday to me.  Don’t you think?

Glory To God Forever is a post from: Brody Harper