--- In 4ad-l@yahoogroups.com, "schokofueralle" <schokofueralle@...> wrote:
> * how the whole cataloguing system is getting screwed-up (gaps,
> download-only video "releases", rereleases with current cat#'s, box
> sets of rereleases with another current cat# [but just if look at the
> barcode!])

to be fair, everything now needs a catalogue number - it has to be in the
systems,
including videos - as everything (ideally) will be digitized and available.
There's gaps, but
actually, there's also a hell of a lot coming up. (I'll take requests if you
have any
suggestions) - I've had to create a lot of new catalogue numbers, as you can't
really have
Heidi Berry's 'Pomegranate' video available at iTunes... as it doesn't exist! If
you see what I
mean... we can get away with singles that don't have the same name as the video,
but
that's about it...

There shouldn't be gaps though - I'm allocating catalogue numbers at the moment,
and so
far everything is chronological - and taken - but just not yet released! The DCD
box set
was a difficult one, so that took that barcode. I could waffle on about 4AD
barcodes, but I
fear I'd bore you all :-)
>
> * how service and communication with the worried fanbase was
> radically reduced (breakdown of the subscription, one nice person
> playing the punching bag on the message board, then occasional
> comments by some new but very busy people, then great big nothing)
>
> * how some limited releases are only available through one or two
> internet services (downloads at Rough Trade, Beatport and not to
> forget gloriously monopolisitc i-tunes - and strictly limited bonus
> 7"s if you order your vinyl copy in the US only [where you even get a
> free download thrown in as well while the european copy adds nothing -
> thank you very much]!)

Unfortunately, this seems to be the way things are going digitally, worldwide. I
know that
limited 7" wise, that the 4AD store does get a limited quantity, but then
there's no real
outlet to let anyone know it's in stock and for sale - and I certainly don't
know...

> * how signings are getting increasingly arbitrary (the cooking vinyl
> syndrome) finally cumulating into the merging with two other well-
> respected labels (which had a totally individual profile to them)
>
> * and how not one of these issues got adressed on the official 4AD
> homepage nor the journal (save for one tiny note on the journal
> anouncing the message board would return, but that was 5 months ago!)

re the Message Board, I'm led to believe it wont come back now. I could be
wrong, but as I
seemed to spend the most time on there, and my job now doesn't leave me with a
huge
amount of time, I'm not confident it'll ever reappear.

> is all getting me furious! But still nobody else seems to bother at
> all! Just a brief note about the news without any comment and that's
> it. Could it be that I am the last one who actually cares?
>
> I mean, i'm still trying to see things positive. Hey! One of my
> favourite 90's groops (Stereolab) arrived at 4AD and another one
> (Tindersticks) might [or might not] follow. There even was a short
> time around 1993 when i toyed with collecting Too Pure and now
> they're part of 4AD.
> Ain't life grand?

It isn't all bad. I'm reserving any judgement on what I think of the all-new 4AD
until at
least a year has gone by. Same as I did with Chris and Ed (who I think did a
marvellous
job). As things stand this week, it looks like the label has another chart-bound
album with
the new TV On The Radio - and if that means even more interesting bands join the
roster
in the future, that can only be a good thing... we'll see...