You are absolutely right about the different ways audio and video content is consumed.

In 1940(!), when video jukeboxes from companies like Vis-o-graph, Nickel-Talkies, Phonofilms and Featurettes were the hotest trend, E.C. Steffens, the president of the music boxes lobby organisation(International Association of Automatic Electrical Phonograph Owners), came to the same conclusion:

„As to the movie machines, I don’t believe they will hurt the automatic phonograph business. Most people who play these record machines desire to dance (...) I believe the novelty of the film machine type of entertainment will soon wear off, and those who wish to dance will insist on record machines.“

I agree that the eyes will get bored before the ears. I also agree that musicians should spend as long as they can getting the music right.

One point that has to be noted is that the music consumption methods and associated business models have changed dramaticaly in the last 10 years and are still evolving.

Visuals are important because of internet, multi channel TV and portable devises. Payment for music has also changed and is more relient on the licensing model which requires quantity as well as quantity.

Unfortunately "good song shame about the video" is a response heard as often as the reverse. Both elements require as much creative input as possible and should be in balance.

No JK you are totally wrong and are talking absolute balderdash.
Young people like me got introduced to pop bands like Duran Duran
Tears for Fears and Madonna from VIDEOS, not to mention Michael Jackson
and a host of others who don't meet your "approval" or "criteria".

Today video is an industry in itself and if you watch videos on Youtube
that get genuine views their mp3s skyrocket as well. Just because your fuddy
duddy old skool mentality doesn't get don't mean you're right.

Of course if videos are properly monetised who cares. You can communicate
with your fans, make video diaries and more and build a career that way.
Then with your fanbase you can storm the charts at will.

Wake up to the new millenium

You misunderstand me J&B - of course videos are a superb promotional and marketing asset; indeed many are superb in their own right. I myself have made You Tube videos with well over 2 million views. And I made one of the first, for It Only Takes A Minute, in the 1970s.

The problem is - the video aspect has grown in importance whilst the concentration on the musical aspect has dropped.

And the eyes bore whilst the ears don't.

JK "The problem is - the video aspect has grown in importance whilst the concentration on the musical aspect has dropped"

It isn't a problem, it is an opportunity.

We all talk about new business models please realise that these sort of things aren't planned. Most times new business models come about because of other developments and entrepreneurs taking advantage of them. The new distribution channels embrace video so if music wants to reach the people using these devises the video content must be working as well.

I agree with J&B, the days of kids sitting in their bedrooms listening to their Dansette Majors are gone, C30's C60'S - gone. Audio only music consumption will always remain for car drivers, joggers etc but all new music (of any worth) will have a video component. Youtube is too big to ignore and once you have a video it should be as good as you can make it.

Fair enough JK but I think we are in a different world.
Artists like Drake are huge on Youtube and are selling lots of downloads
as well. I am not a fan of his music but I can see how it works. Mind you
one can always make a photo only video or just put the sleeve of the CD
on it. I think you're right to a degree but if one can make eye catching
videos you might as well cash in on it and use it to become famous after
all isn't that what that ladyboy gaga does oops Lady Gaga I mean.

I'm not saying You Tube is bad - I love it and am a big part of it; have been since it started.
I'm not saying videos can't be brilliant - and they can draw attention to terrific music - I still love the fat boy miming to that obscure East European hook!
But they can draw concentration away from perfecting the music. Too many funny, hooky, light, amusing videos get massive views (Chocolate Rain) and persuade people that the music is less important than the video.

PS Anyone else think Drake is Craig David pretending to be street cred?

PPS - link to Chocolate Rain in case Tipsters don't know what I'm on about... check out the views counter.

I agree that occasionally a performer will put so much into the promotional video that their music takes a back seat. This is a different age where image is far more important than substance (Tony Blair taught the kids that) so there is a belief that if it looks good it must be good. However, the fact that so many modern chart hits slip so quickly away into obscurity is that there is not enough about them to warrant long term interest. Compare that to how songs from decades ago, even some which were not big hits, still get played, covered, sampled and talked about. How many of the current Top 20 will be remembered ten years from now?