Customer Reviews

Before The Music Dies

5 star:		(25)
4 star:		(5)
3 star:		(3)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

Shows how musicians no longer create music. Promoters, marketers, and sponsors make "music" and create personalities in order to push product. One telling scene shows some teenage girls talking about how "hot" Ashley Simpson is and how "real" she is. When asked if they knew who Bob Dylan was, they all shook their heads. When told that he inspired millions of people back in the 60s, and asked whether Ashley Simpson inspired them to do anything, they all just looked confused. Music? Inspiring? What a strange concept.

Another segment shows how radio stations have become focus-grouped marketing machines instead of a real venue for real artists to get airplay. While there have always been issues of "payola" in the business, the radio station monopoly in this country has completely homogenized the new music scene. Even "classic" radio stations limit their airplay to a limited variety...you will rarely hear a deep album cut from a classic album...just the hits.

Real musicians are being relegated to background roles, while artificially enhanced body parts, heavy make-up, and a few dance steps are all it takes to become a music star. In one segment, Steve Poltz (great singer/songwriter...check out his solo CDs One Left Shoe and Friendly Fire and his work with The Rugburns) improvs a song on his guitar, and the hit-making machine goes to work. First they get a beautiful, untalented girl to sing (off key) into the microphone. She never sees the musicians who play behind her on the track. Then, the computer "fixes" the vocals, graphically changing the pitch of her voice in just the right places to make it sound as if she is actually on key. She is then filmed in seductive poses, lip-synching the lyrics while "her" voice plays over the action. The result is a slick video of a beautiful girl singing a trendy, vapid song...one that fits all the formulas for a hit. I would not be surprised to hear it on the radio someday soon.

Interviews with Branford Marsalis, Dave Matthews, Erykah Badu, and Eric Clapton are all particularly insightful. All confirm that the great music acts from the 70's and 80's (Aretha, Ray Charles, Stevie Wonder, Led Zep, the Who, etc.) would never have had a chance in today's market. So the next time your son or daughter tells you about how "awesome" the latest Brittney Spears CD is, show them just how little of Brittney is actually in the CD, and how much of it is marketing, make-up, and computers. Show them this film. Then buy them some real music, played by real musicians.

I watched this movie last night at a screening at Antone's in Austin. It's AWESOME. And I'm not even into music that much. It has great insights from famous and non-famous people, lots of good music to boot, and is really inspiring and eye-opening if you're a musician or interested in music.

The previous reviewer did a fab job at conveying the essence of it, so let me just briefly add my two cents. You will learn a lot about the music industry watching this. We all know what is going on on some level but the (hilarious) segment with the no-talent-but-pretty model really drove it home for me. I will never look at Britney & Co. videos the same way again. (They play a lot at my local gym.)

Regarding the whole downloading songs thing, do it if you must. But also be fair and at least occasionally support the artist by buying their music and fan articles. The same goes for the makers of this film, who I know through a friend of mine who gave them some money so they could make this movie. They're true independent filmmakers who are not exactly living the Hollywood lifestyle right now. Buy the DVD to support them, you won't regret it. Also thank you to Amazon for agreeing to distribute this film.

This film addresses the big, ugly, and very real issues surrounding the consolidation and standardization of the music industry. With more technological innovation and diversity of tallent and distribution channels, musician and fans are paving their own roads.
The artists and interviews are remarkable. I can't wait for the soundtrack!!

Point blank. EVERYONE has to see this. I mean EVERYONE. Show it at schools. Show it in mass release. Every theatre all over the world. The power is in the people and the people aren't doing much these days to make change. This documentary makes you want to rally at your local radio station!

I've been in the music industry for over 30 years and all I've seen and done has changed so much that I needed this information to remember and pass on to the younger generation.
This is a testiment to all I've been teaching and I will use it as a tool in my future growth as a professional in an ever changing industry.
I'm giving a copy of this DVD to many of my coworkers as well as passing it on to teachers in the production educatioin as well.

This film was great! It had a lot of information from very reputable artists in the music industry. As an artist myself, I knew alot of this information before, although a novice would find this information very useful. I think everyone should watch this film, so they truly know the inner workings of the industry, especially in terms of radio and the major label industry. It is wise to know the system, and then it will be more clear why we constantly hear the same music over and over... it is merely a reflection of this country's culture, the money & power is concentrated, therefore the music is concentrated (with a handful of artists getting all of the airplay). Let's use this as a tool, to educate and rally people around the importance of balance in music, where all is appreciated, not just profit...

The DVD was very good in its presentation of the decline of the CD (record) industry. I would have liked to see more of the "up and coming" artists that are not marketable by a major label.

...or anybody else for that matter. This movie is incredibly thought provoking and a great insite into the current state of the music industry. A must see for all who appreciate music and also for those who have a distaste for the homogenization of any art form.

I'm not a musician but this film resonates across so many industries. I've seen it three times & have walked away with a new thought or question each time. This film is thought provoking & motivates you to think... really think.

Well, I picked this one up because I am a musician and I love finding out all I can about the industry. I looked this one over carefully, wiped the drool off the case several times, and then made my way to counter to pay for it (it was now waterlogged, so it was the least I could do).

The first frustration was that it didn't go deep. It was a bunch of learned and intelligent people agreeing with what we all already know. There was no depth to the opinions, questions asked of the artists, or topics covered. The highlight for me by far was Erykah Badu's insight into being a female artist in the industry today. Aside from some cool musical asides, this DVD is pretty shallow if you're looking for something that will get you thinking.

The second frustration was the clear writing on the DVD cover that said 'Running time: 95 minutes.' Ahem... Even if you watch every word of the credits and then rewatch the bonus footage (which is just excerpts from the documentary you just watched... I mean EXACTLY the same footage), you're lucky to get 65 minutes of footage. Take out the bonus features (which aren't bonus features anyway), and you're down to 56 minutes.

Worth owning, but nowhere near a ground breaking expose of the industry. If you want something more in depth that looks just as good as this documentary does on the DVD shelf, go with 'the blues collection' series. THERE'S some depth for you!