I love reading The Lefsetz Letter, the venomous daily barrage of abuse on the music industry. I agree with him most of the time, especially about the 20th century thinking of some of the major labels is the cause of their own demise. But Lefsetz well and truly is starting to believe his own bullshit when he attacks the artists themselves for doing what they do ... create new music.
Lefsetz is from Hollywood and knows full well that bullshit equals bucks. Good luck to the guy. He has found a niche ... bullshiting about bullshitters. That equals a revenue stream in Hollywood, so congrats to him for that. He has played the game and profited.This week, Lefsetz attacked Sir Paul McCartney with about the same tact and strategy of Bush in Iraq. Is Colin Powell your ghost-writer, Bob? If not, call him, you have the same war strategy.
Look at this garbage from Lefsetz this week. "Paul is battling the perception that he's a has-been, that his hits are behind him, and even though he's aligned with Starbucks, the perception remains".
"I've got to tell you Paul, I don't have time for a full album by ANYBODY! If you think today's listeners plop down their ten plus bucks and play your disc over and over again, waiting for it to reveal itself, you're DREAMING!"
Let's put McCartney aside for a moment. You don't have time for a full album from ANYBODY, Bob? Well, get out of the industry and go flip burgers at a Bob's Big Boy.
Bob, your head is so far up your own arse lately you can't even see the industry bullshit for your own bullshit.
Back to McCartney, look at this codswollop. "Everybody's gonna hear McCartney's tunes at Starbucks tomorrow. Oh, they'll sell a few CDs, but in a week or two, if that, NO ONE WILL CARE! Because the music just isn't that good".
"Four tracks Paul, not thirteen. Sold ONLY at iTunes. You've got it right that the labels are dead, but you've got to jump into the future. While you're still in the past".
So 'no-one will care"? Bob, who is everyone? Your drinking buddies at your favorite Hollywood hang?
McCartney's 'Memory Almost Full' is a damn fine record. It is easily one of his best in 25 years. The simplicity of 'Dance Tonight', the raw 'Only Mama Knows' and the complexity of 'Vintage Clothes' are testament that McCartney is still a great songwriter.
Lefsetz knows that. He just can't make as much money saying something positive about it.
That's fine Bob, we get "your act". Now have a little respect for others.
Face facts Bob. If you have to cite Paul McCartney as an example of what is wrong with the music industry, just give up now.
Let me quote Monty Python (from the movie Life of Brian funded by his good friend George Harrison). "You are not the messiah. You are just a very naughty boy".
