Epic screws Fuel too!, New Album Falters on the Charts Options

[SJN1279]

Fuel's latest album will debut at #45 on the Billboard Charts this week with just over 14,000 copies sold. It seems Epic non-promotional machine was at work again. I purchased the CD and thought it was pretty good, particuarly the first 5 songs on the album. I liked the first single Wasted Time quite a bit, but Epic didn't put any money behind the song and it quickly fell from the charts.

I see a lot of similarities of Epic's handling of "Angels and Devils" and their dismissive attitude of "Songs from Black Mountain." It just sucks to know that huge labels totally control what gets played and what bands will gain success. It is really sad.

[Heather]

Wow I didn't even know Fuel was with Epic, shows you how much attention I pay to such things. I've heard the single on the radio a lot but that might be because of where I live being that Fuel was from around here. I think the fact the the record isn't succesful has more to do with the line up changes and the simple fact that Fuel just isn't as popular of a band anymore after their last cd pretty much flopped. Plus in my opinion the single isn't very good at all and the new singer is trying way to hard to sound like Brett. Not very original at all that's for sure. Of course that is usually what the public goes for so maybe it should have been more of a hit. It sure didn't catch my attention enough to want to buy the album and this is from a former huge Fuel fan. Anyway I don't think big record companies are willing to spend huge amounts of money promoting a band that has pretty much passed their prime. It's how the music business works and it isn't going to change any time soon or ever and it is very sad. That's what Indie labels are for though, most of the bands on major labels suck these days anyway.

This post has been edited by Heather: Aug 14 2007, 4:52 pm

[SJN1279]

That's what Indie labels are for though, most of the bands on major labels suck these days anyway.

But are things so great for bands on Indie labels? I know Ed Roland was singing the praises of going indie with "Youth," saying that even though the band was selling less albums they were making more money. But if that were true, why did they cut a deal with Target and Itunes to limit the scope of their follow-up release?

Also, Better Than Ezra went Indie for their last release and it barely sold at all, and now they are on the verge of a break-up. I'm sure they weren't the first or last band to suffer that fate.

At first, I was excited for Live to go indie, but after seeing other bands lack of success after maiking the move, it has me a bit scared for their long-term survival as a band.

[J.Sax]

Also, Better Than Ezra went Indie for their last release and it barely sold at all, and now they are on the verge of a break-up. I'm sure they weren't the first or last band to suffer that fate.

That's the first time I've heard this rumor, so I checked into it and that seems to be all that it is...a rumor. Some of their canceled tour dates have been rescheduled and their new album was rumored to be out this year, though it doesn't seem like it will be. But they have been working on new material. Listen for yourself:

http://www.moxymusic.net/media/audio/avalanche_clip.mp3

And since Collective Soul was brought up, though this has nothing to do with the topic...their new album leaked today and I think that it's their best effort since Dosage, though it is pretty short at ten tracks and 36 minutes.

This post has been edited by J.Sax: Aug 17 2007, 3:25 am

[SJN1279]

That's the first time I've heard this rumor, so I checked into it and that seems to be all that it is...a rumor. Some of their canceled tour dates have been rescheduled and their new album was rumored to be out this year, though it doesn't seem like it will be. But they have been working on new material. Listen for yourself:

http://www.moxymusic.net/media/audio/avalanche_clip.mp3

And since Collective Soul was brought up, though this has nothing to do with the topic...their new album leaked today and I think that it's their best effort since Dosage, though it is pretty short at ten tracks and 36 minutes.

I hope Better Than Ezra doesn't break up because they are one of my favorite bands on CD. Their live show isn't good, but studio work is excellent. New material from them would be very welcome.