wnyc.org / 93.9fm / am 820

I agree with Brett and Gary. As an indie artist who hangs with signed artist I know that artistry is harder maintain when you sign with a label. Labels have to put out music that they feel will sell. Artist put out music that they feel is great music. there is a difference. When I worked on my first CD a friend (Toshi Reagon) said the greatest thing going for me was I didn't have to worry about someone looking over my shoulder and altering my music to improve sales. Many don't duplicate there quality because they are not allowed. "Going out" on top really suggest "Going out" while you have control of your music. The story of Ray Charles comes to mind. He made sure he maintained artistic control throughout his career. If he hadn't many of the songs he performed in different genres never would have happened.

For the most part, musicians don't make their money from their "best" work, unfortunately. It's often after their peak that the big paydays come in. Consider the Replacements. I read somewhere that Paul Westerberg made more money doing a Beatles cover for a movie a few years ago than he made for his whole Twin-Tone output.

Weezer ruined their former success by continuing to record. I mean, The Blue Album & Pinkerton were life-altering in the 90s, but yikes, "Beverly Hills" off their latest is nauseatingly bad. Too the point where most former Weezer fans refuse to listen to the old stuff.

Just heard the guy diss Van Halen. I saw them at the Garden when they were last hear, and it was amazing! Eddie is as great as he ever was, a true guitar genius.

I think this theory can also be applied to film makers as well.

I'm glad the Breeders haven't retired yet.

There are many things that keep a band fresh or destroy them. I've always noticed that the first 1 or 2 records are toiled over and have been artistically honed. Then upon receiving a major contract with a major label, the band is forced to put out more of the same, which is less artistic. Coldplay seems to come to mind, in my opinion.

Y'know, this guy enjoys "his" vocabulary way too much. How many times is he gonna use the word "sublime"

Let's not forget obligatory albums that are included into album contracts. If you have a 5 album contract, and you hit your peak at #2, you're still going to have to grind something out for the next 3.

Every artist has his or her peak period. Some begin with a bang (The Strokes), others grow in reputation (Modest Mouse)). But what about groups like The White Stripes, who continue to produce phenomenal music, within and without the band? Had they stopped after their initial self titled album, we'd be without Elephant, or Get Behind Me Satan . . . etc.

Bleed the pot
When you're hot, you're hot
When enough's enough, do the fakers drop out?

It takes a lot of courage for an artist to define a personal idea of success and contentment. Society tells us success is all.

I'm here in NYC finding it really impossible to gain artistic ground and I'm wondering...move to Montana and...umm maybe grow dental floss for a while?

I think the band Toadies is a great example of a band that bowed out of the scene when they were still up.