What is your definition of "Selling Out"

mooseboy101

I recently read somebody's review on Muse's newest album. They have said it was not a good album due to them selling out. I have heard the same opinions on Linkin Park, Green Day, Coldplay, etc. Apparently selling out means making changes to something for more money and/or fans. Is that true? If it is, people need to realize that making music is also a job, you have to make money from a job. I don't think just because somebody has more fans now does not mean they have "sold out" Weather or not this is true, what do you think about selling out?
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Bork · #2 | Posted: 05/14/2011 02:50 | Post subject:

Selling out is the same thing as prostitution (excluding happy hookers), namely doing something that is against your core values because it pays good. Some smart people will claim that anyone who works does so for the pay and are in effect selling out but if going to work is against your core values you have bigger problems than discussing definitions of words.

Anyway, to take that same term to bands and artists, selling out means recording an album that sounds different to what you would really prefer to do, because it will sell you more records and thus make you more money. It also includes those whose main objective is making money, that is, all the hand-picked manufactured artists who don't really care what kind of music they are making as long as they get the fame and fortune.

In music reviews the term is mostly used when bands that were so valiantly on the border and who you could hail as the greatest thing since string cheese because the average Joe didn't listen to them all of a sudden sell a bunch of records and - the sky is falling - average Joe likes the same thing as you.

Polythene Pam · Joined: 15 Aug 2010 Posts: 3,531 My Charts

Link

I have already posted this video once on the site. However considering the topic I think it explains my thoughts quite well
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Jhereko · #4 | Posted: 05/14/2011 03:17 | Post subject:

it's really one of those terms thats bandied about too much in music, usually when someone can't come up with a decent argument.
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GARY · Joined: 25 Dec 2010 Posts: 9,695 My Charts

Let's cut the shit. Of course bands sell out Rolling Eyes

I remember when disco came out how many "rock" bands and artists made a disco album.

Ya, it was pretty ugly and rather painful. The sellout IMO is when it's suddenly about all of the other bullshit that can come with the territory and no longer is the music and it's true soul.

But another aspect that I have seen many times is this. At least as far as male bands and hard rock in particular are concerned. O.K. think about it. When a couple go to see a movie the guy wants to see things blowing up and hooters. Am I right. Don't lie. But the girl wants to see "relationship" girl movies. Ones that actually have a plot for Chrizzakes Evil or Very Mad

BOORING.

But which movie do you end up going to see? Your lying again. You end up watching some God awful nonsense with no action and you end up wishing you would have done what you had planned and put that pint of Whiskey in your sock.

Same with concerts. You can't lie to me I've been there Laughing

I've been at the concerts that cater to females and I'm bored to tears and getting a headache and mad at myself for not taking that extra hit of acid.

Look at Def Leppard for example. Say what you will but their first 3 albums were hard rocking male orientated music. But they really were not that well known and didn't sell a large amount of albums.

Then came Hysteria which, though a good album, was aimed to please females. The damn thing sold insanely. What I'm saying is IMO it's a sellout when your music has it's balls cut off so it sells more.

Metallica I loved em in the 80's. Thrashing bashing screaming through the 80's I was right there for every headbanging note.

Then came the Black album. Again, a good album, but it just wasn't the Alcoholica I had known. Yes, it sold very well. But I'll take Ride The Lightning any day. I mean WTF, ballads, Hetfield worried about "how his voice sounded" and was actually "singing" FUCK THAT Evil or Very Mad

Scream about for whom the bells tolls please.

O.K. I'm done. Had to get that off my chest. Just one more thing.

IRON MAIDEN NEVER HAVE NOR WILL SELL OUT

UP THE IRONS Very Happy

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Jhereko · #6 | Posted: 05/14/2011 04:16 | Post subject:

Bork · #7 | Posted: 05/14/2011 04:24 | Post subject:

purple · My Charts

there's no such thing as selling out... bands just get shitty, sometimes it happens to be shortly after they move to a major label

Mr. Shankly · #9 | Posted: 05/14/2011 11:13 | Post subject:

Selling out is a real thing, but I don't think the listener or fan can definitively make that call. To me, selling out is when the artist compromises or changes what they would do artistically to appeal to the record company or a wider audience, which is what the record company wants, of course. Only the artist or band knows if they compromised or "sold out." At the end of the day though, every band or artist wants to be recognized and wants to get paid for their work just like any one else who works for a living. I guess the question is, how much does their art matter vs. making money and again, only the artist can answer that. But bands / artists make good music and they make bad music. That call, however, is subjective and is entirely up to the listener, but "selling out" is not their call to make. Only the artist knows that.

itsit · #10 | Posted: 05/14/2011 11:28 | Post subject:

When it comes to truly selling out, only one band comes to mind.
The Black Eyed Peas, they used to rap about how they would never comprimise their music just for sales, but no they've completely changed their style just to bring in money.