By Julia Gall
Recording artists are constantly searching for new ways to draw an audience. Indie-rock group The Sun is the first to create a DVD album – a CD consisting of only music videos specifically made for DVD players.
In conjunction with Warner Brothers, The Sun was able to develop this approach to the visual side of music. They decided to take their album and make a music video for each of its songs. With the purchase of the DVD the consumer is then able to download the album for free from The Sun’s Web site.
The album consists of 14 videos that each have their own concept. One video compiled tight camera shots of 15 peoples’ faces. Gathering from the “Parental Advisory” warning before the video, the faces are those who are experiencing some sort of sexual pleasure.
This video album gives the viewer an insight into the band’s creative focus as well as their personalities and sense of humor through their short clips. Kier Byrnes of the Northeastern-based band Three Day Threshold emphasized the importance of making a connection to fans.
“It’s cool they do a video for each song instead of just the singles; it sounds very Pink Floyd with all those crazy images,” Byrnes said.
The Sun’s DVD album may have gotten the approval from a fellow recording artist, but consumers are having a mixed reaction.
Tony Bartolucci, a senior general education major said he thinks the album is an interesting idea and would definitely purchase one from a band he finds interesting. He also said he predicts more musical artists will be doing this in the future as another way to gain profits.
“I think you’re gonna start to see it more and more,” Bartolucci said. “[The DVD album] is a lot of work so they’re probably going to start charging more for the DVDs.”
However, some students are not impressed by this “revolutionary” venture, and see it as just a phase that won’t catch on.
Jessica Roeder, a middler human services major said she is not convinced that the DVD album will be a lasting trend in entertainment.
“I don’t think it’s something that is going to catch on,” she said. “With all the music people are downloading, no one even buys CDs anymore.”
Yet coming from the perspective of a musician, Byrnes is still confident in this idea. Because downloading music is so big, Byrnes said he thinks of the DVD album as enhancing the musical experience with a visual and more palpable product.
“What I like about it is, a lot of people are buying songs on iTunes and whatnot,” Byrnes said. “[With the DVD] you get a physical product and [also] videos.”
