The album-on-USB has proven popular for pop star Lady Gaga, whose limited edition USB stick containing her latest LP sold out in 24 hours.
As noted by Everything USB, the album, which sold in USB form for 40 pounds, or roughly $60, is no longer available from Universal’s online store. This may not be such an unbelievable feat given that only 250 sticks were made available, but it does offer a couple of lessons:
The first is that despite record labels’ complaints about piracy, fans are willing to pay a premium for music when given the proper incentive. In fairness, Fame Monster is downloaded tens of thousands of times daily, but there are at least 250 people — probably more — that are willing to pay four times the album’s price for something special.
This also underscores how the USB album is still a niche offering, and I’m not sure that’ll ever change. Albums on USB have advantages over the CD, such as the ability to store video or additional tracks, but they also have drawbacks. You can’t listen to a USB stick in the car or through an iPod dock, and once you’ve loaded the music onto a computer or MP3 player, the stick itself has limited value, and there’s a price premium over CDs.
But by turning the USB stick into a special product, fans get something unique that can be used as a fashionable USB drive, in turn reminding of them of their fandom and potentially leading to more sales. The same principle applies to box sets on USB, like the one offered by The Beatles, which included music in lossless FLAC as well as MP3 format. Which brings me to the last point: Lady Gaga fans, at least in this case, aren’t bothered by lossy compression.
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24 Comments
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| but they also have drawbacks. You can’t listen to a USB stick in the car or through an iPod dock |
I think this a healthy trend putting premade stuff on exclusive USB sticks. If marketed correctly this could be the next big worldwide trend.
Imagine USB and style combined with data: USB sticks will become very functional jewelry.
It's amazing to see the rubbish that people listen to today....
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Originally Posted by Mr. Belvedere
USB sticks will become very functional jewelry.
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Just as lebb implied, Lady Gaga is total rubbage, along with most of today's modern "music". I'd guess that most of the 250 people who managed to buy these are independent dealers, and they bought the thing as a collector's item, not for the "music".
@DukeNuken: Because the world has no taste? :-)
@DukeNuken: Because the world has no taste? :-)
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Originally Posted by DukeNukem
Why would you wish that upon the world?
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Originally Posted by Mr. Belvedere
So? The ones that actually do care, have a car stereo with USB port.
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There is nothing worse than music snobs, who think the music that they listen to is the only good music around.
My taste in music is wide ranging, from classical to pop and everything in between.
I didn't buy the USB version, i already bought the the Fame Monster CD.
Is Lady Gaga my favourite artist at the moment?
No, but an album doesn't go platinum if it's rubbish.
Enough said!!!
My taste in music is wide ranging, from classical to pop and everything in between.
I didn't buy the USB version, i already bought the the Fame Monster CD.
Is Lady Gaga my favourite artist at the moment?
No, but an album doesn't go platinum if it's rubbish.
Enough said!!!
Bravo 
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Originally Posted by Dee
There is nothing worse than music snobs, who think the music that they listen to is the only good music around.
My taste in music is wide ranging, from classical to pop and everything in between. I didn't buy the USB version, i already bought the the Fame Monster CD. Is Lady Gaga my favourite artist at the moment? No, but an album doesn't go platinum if it's rubbish. Enough said!!! |
Just because it's popular doesn't mean it's good...Just because it's platinum doesn't mean it's good..If Lady Gaga gets you off then so be it...I'd rather watch the grass grow then listen to that...No one said their music is the best but we do know crap when we hear it..lol..
Its stupid. Like we need a pile of USB sticks.
Sorry but Lady Gaga is extremely talented. I am a 41 year old fan of many music styles, rock, jazz, reggae, blues, punk, etc..
I don't like much pop but Gaga kicks ass, and you should hear her sing solo. She has extraordinary singing talent which she doesn't get to exploit in her pop recordings but she does show it off live and she can really belt it out ! Go watch her Saturday Night Live appearance on You Tube where she sat down at a piano and sings. Amazing.
You may not like her it but to claim she's rubbish demonstrates enormous ignorance towards music.
Sorry but Lady Gaga is extremely talented. I am a 41 year old fan of many music styles, rock, jazz, reggae, blues, punk, etc..
I don't like much pop but Gaga kicks ass, and you should hear her sing solo. She has extraordinary singing talent which she doesn't get to exploit in her pop recordings but she does show it off live and she can really belt it out ! Go watch her Saturday Night Live appearance on You Tube where she sat down at a piano and sings. Amazing.
You may not like her it but to claim she's rubbish demonstrates enormous ignorance towards music.
Sad to say, but I've forgotten more about music than you know about it....I've seen more bands in small clubs that have way more to offer than Lady Gaga to even bother with this ...I stand by my comment- just because it's popular doesn't mean its good....If you're such a jazz guy tell me why jazz isn't that popular??? And when it comes to punk and alternative music there are loads of bands who don't sell, but are totally better than pap like Lady Gaga...Just a fact..But I bow to you, the music expert..
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Originally Posted by lebb
Sad to say, but I've forgotten more about music than you know about it....
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Originally Posted by Dee
There is nothing worse than music snobs, who think the music that they listen to is the only good music around.
My taste in music is wide ranging, from classical to pop and everything in between. |
Clearly plenty of people like the Lady Gaga album, for it to go platinum.
Well, I do think that beauty is in the eye of the beholder. I also believe that beauty is skin deep, but ugly is to the bone. I'm not really sure what my point is, but I do know that I consider myself a pretty open-minded person. I will listen to rock, heavy metal, jazz, old country, new country, raeggae, and even pop. The only thing I won't listen to is rap, because it isn't real music and it makes my ears bleed.
Not everyone likes the same stuff. Do your own thing and stop worring about what other people are doing. You'll live longer.
Not everyone likes the same stuff. Do your own thing and stop worring about what other people are doing. You'll live longer.
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| Not everyone likes the same stuff. Do your own thing and stop worring about what other people are doing. You'll live longer |
yep!..For many she's--well, Lady Gaga, for others she's, Lady Kaka..sorry couldn't help myself..
FWIW, I like some of the lady's stuff..
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Originally Posted by DukeNukem
Why would you wish that upon the world?
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Originally Posted by Dee
There is nothing worse than music snobs, who think the music that they listen to is the only good music around.
My taste in music is wide ranging, from classical to pop and everything in between. I didn't buy the USB version, i already bought the the Fame Monster CD. Is Lady Gaga my favourite artist at the moment? No, but an album doesn't go platinum if it's rubbish. Enough said!!! |
Lady Gaga is alright. People keep knocking her, but her music is great. To say that her music is completely garbage is being close minded.
I don't like lady gaga, why people like her? Tell me
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Originally Posted by sagafengbao
I don't like lady gaga, why people like her? Tell me
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I like Lady gaga because she's different and breaks the mold, i also thing she is a very talented lady. She is also gaga (a bit crazy), and i like that.
To say you personally don't like Lady gaga, IMO is fine, you're expressing a personal opinion. However, when someone makes a statement rather than expressing a personal opinion saying "she's rubbish", then they need to back that statement up with facts, otherwise people will shoot holes in that statement simply by giving some facts, in this case, the album when platinum, which suggests that a lot of people don't agree that Lady gaga is rubbish.
IMO Lady Gaga has made some interesting songs as well as some less interesting songs.
The music stations, however, do what they often do with popular artists - play the same songs over and over and over and over again until I almost can't stand listening to the same song again.
The music stations, however, do what they often do with popular artists - play the same songs over and over and over and over again until I almost can't stand listening to the same song again.
I've only heard a couple of Lady Gaga tracks, but I like those.
Of course, that doesn't mean others have to share that opinion, and stating what you think personally (rather than just saying something is rubbish or whatever) can often make for an interesting exchange, if everyone felt the same way the world (and this forum!) would be a bit same-y.
Of course, that doesn't mean others have to share that opinion, and stating what you think personally (rather than just saying something is rubbish or whatever) can often make for an interesting exchange, if everyone felt the same way the world (and this forum!) would be a bit same-y.
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Originally Posted by DrageMester
The music stations, however, do what they often do with popular artists - play the same songs over and over and over and over again until I almost can't stand listening to the same song again.
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Take the 80's example "What Have I Done To Deserve This?" by the Pet Shop Boys. It was a popular hit that reached #2 in the UK and Billboard Hot 100 according to Wikipedia. However, I can't remember the last time I heard it on the radio and only seen the video once or twice on TV.
I do like the USB idea however. Makes it useful for PCs and media players without optical drives.
Just give me some Jimi Hendrix, The Who, The Beatles, ZZ Top, Buffalo Springfield,
on USB stick(s) and I'll be a very happy camper. Yeah I do like a few of the songs
from Lady Gaga but I'm not a big fan of today's music from any band/group/person
just give me some good ol' 60's and 70's Rock N' Roll and I'm happy. 
on USB stick(s) and I'll be a very happy camper.
Yeah I do like a few of the songsfrom Lady Gaga but I'm not a big fan of today's music from any band/group/person
just give me some good ol' 60's and 70's Rock N' Roll and I'm happy.
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Originally Posted by getit29
Just give me some Jimi Hendrix, The Who, The Beatles, ZZ Top, Buffalo Springfield,
on USB stick(s) and I'll be a very happy camper. Yeah I do like a few of the songsfrom Lady Gaga but I'm not a big fan of today's music from any band/group/person just give me some good ol' 60's and 70's Rock N' Roll and I'm happy. |
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originally posted by Drage: The music stations, however, do what they often do with popular artists - play the same songs over and over and over and over again until I almost can't stand listening to the same song again.
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I am a victim of Drage's statement about the music stations and the "good ol' 60's and 70's Rock N' Roll" was played to death back then, to the point where I can barely stand listening to it, even 40+ years later... just as the music I grew up listening to was not my parents music... I recall them refering to it as not real music and an awful racket... wasn't singing but shouting etc... My father, who was a violinist, just called it garbage... sift thru all the pop that came out in the "ol' days" and I think you will find it was just as bad... you may want to sample my one hit wonders collection if you need further proof of that
... I sift through alot of new music looking for tidbits of talent... there is good stuff and great stuff out there... just have to open your ears and look 
Every generation I know of had thier music.. and so it will be for every generation, and prolly with the same response from the previous generation... "turn that crap DOWN!!!"
For what it's worth...
About this category
USB Sticks
- Every computer has a USB port, which makes USB sticks a very practical means to physically transport data. Low priced and highly portable, USB sticks are a real must-have for anyone.More about this
Music
- Digital Right Management (DRM), illegal and legal music downloads, the comeback of vinyl, the end of CDs and everything else on music is covered this category.More about this
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