- Wired, Thursday, August 24, 2006 11:05 AM
This was too cool to be ignored. Interscope recording artist Beck is readying a new album that aims to reinvent the entire concept. His next as-yet untitled album will be a cycle of songs, remixes and
videos that fans can string together any way they want.
Wired calls the new project "The Infinite Album," and suggests this may be the future of a format badly in need of a makeover. In an age
where consumers can download songs for $0.99 (or free), artists have to do something more to add value to their records. For Beck, the 21st-century album is "something to be heard, seen, and
reconstituted by artist and audience alike," expanding "the range and potential of the form." Fans will be able to create their own albums--and possibly their own music videos. It would also allow the
music biz to make something more out of an album's release. They could price differently and set up their own distribution path. This isn't the first time Beck has opened up his music to fans "There
was something inspiring about the variety and quality of the music that people gave back," he says. "In an ideal world, I'd find a way to let people truly interact with the records I put out--not just
remix the songs, but maybe play them like a video game." Another idea he's toying with: moving graphics that pop up on your computer when you play different songs from the album. And finally, instead
of producing expensive music videos, the artist filmed a series of low-budget videos with various family members. They plan to post the videos on sites like YouTube once the album comes out.
Read the whole story at Wired »
