Music

Beck’s New Album to be Released in Ancient Format: Sheet Music

Alan Cross 6 Comments

Before Edison invented the phonograph in 1877, everything was released as sheet music.  After all, that was the only portable storage format–and it had been that way for centuries.

Beck apparently thinks that if this was good enough for Mozart, it’s good enough for him.  His upcoming album, Song Reader, will be released as twenty song booklets, each containing the musical notation for a song.  Add ’em all up and the album will cover 108 pages.  Naturally, everything will be lavishly illustrated and will come in a hardshell carrying case.

What’s the deal?  Beck says “The idea is for fans to play the songs and bring them to life for themselves.”

Genius?  Or laziness? Or something else?

(Via NME)

Alan Cross

is an internationally known broadcaster, interviewer, writer, consultant, blogger and speaker. In his 40+ years in the music business, Alan has interviewed the biggest names in rock, from David Bowie and U2 to Pearl Jam and the Foo Fighters. He’s also known as a musicologist and documentarian through programs like The Ongoing History of New Music.

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6 thoughts on “Beck’s New Album to be Released in Ancient Format: Sheet Music”

  • Environmentally retarded. What a waste of paper.

    Reply
  • Jessica
    August 10, 2012 at 1:55 am
    Permalink

    I'm not even a fan of Beck but I'm really looking forward to this! Discovering the songs through playing them and being involved in them, rather than merely listening to them, sounds like a wonderful experience.

    Reply

  • Beck is now with Third Man Records now…..another hit by Jack White!!

    Reply

  • What's the deal? Beck says "The idea is for fans to play the songs and bring them to life for themselves."

    Reply

  • @Scot… Have you ever owned a book?

    Reply

  • What a great idea! So many acts are all about 'me', and that how 'I' do it is the only right way.

    We'll never know how Mozart intended Eine Kline Nachtmusik to sound. We can make our best interpretations based on the music, but there are all the little nuances a composer puts into something that can't be written down.

    I think this is absolutely brilliant!

    Reply

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