Vinyl Me Please Essentials

Dead C said:
Except, it feels like we're working backwards here. It's like going to a "classic Italian" restaurant that starts loading the menu with low end cheesburgers and hard shell tacos and then saying, "well... we can agree that this shouldn't be advertised as an Italian restaurant, but..." The thing is that it IS advertised that way. Just because it doesn't hit the mark, doesn't mean we should accept and redefine that for them. "I ordered the baked ziti and got a quesadilla, but I like quesadillas. It's cool." These are supposed to be essentials. Just because there is a Rap & Hip Hop track and a Classics track full of jazz and blues, doesn't mean Essentials isn't still supppsed to be essentials. It's still advertised as albums they believe everyone needs to own.

With the logic that it won't appeal to everyone, we also have to consider the fact that rap isn't going to appeal to everyone and that jazz isn't going to appeal to everyone. Those genre specific tracks are being looked almost as a way to support the idea that it isn't as important for an Essentials pick to be all that essential, but it kind of makes the opposite case in my opinion. Not everyone is that eclectic. They know what RHH and Classics represent and don't subscribe to them. It is, however, accepted that titles from those genres will bleed into the main track, if they are deemed essential. That's how the curation works. On the other hand, we know rap just has to be rap. Nobody is gonna make the case that Honest is "essential;" it just gets a pass for technically falling within the category.

Now imagine if the side tracks weren't there and it was like things used to be with only the main track. Imagine no Sahara and no Prince Among Thieves. No swaps. And this month is just John Mayer. That's this month for this club. That's what represents them this month as a club. Continuum. You look to VMP this month and it's represented by this. It IS still like that for some people.

Of course we know we have these swaptions and now even the credit swap, available. But look at it as the choice just based on this being what they've determined was an Essential pick for everyone. They press more of Essentials for a reason. Everytime some shit goes wrong on drop day, people defend VMP by pointing out that a large portion -- perhaps even the majority -- of subscribers don't even fuck with swaps. They just subscribe to Essentials and let it ride.

Cases can be made for Stevie Nicks and for White Stripes, and definitely for Aretha, as "essentials," whether you are a fan or not. The other case often made is that people are in the club for their curation. John Mayer?

Does anyone remember when St Vincent or Moses Sumney were released and VMP addressed the choice to drop new albums as their essential ROTM by claiming they'd heard them in advance and determined they were just that good and deserved that status -- debatable, yes, but they still felt the need to fight for that case. Will they fight for that case here, or just say, "well... a lot of people will like it. It will sell"? Is it fair to still question if they missed the mark? Is this an Essential pick? I see a lot of people who are cool with this pick or fine with this pick. Is anyone in here really excited about it? But maybe the underlying question is really if we believe that they really believe in it.

I think this one is worse than Moby and I might be completely wrong about the significance, because it just sounded like derivative throw away material when it came out and I ignored it. Maybe there is some cultural significance or something innovative I have no awaremess of. The Moby selection might not be a great choice in a lot of minds -- I admit that I didn't get it -- but it's relevance was still there. It changed things in music for better or worse. It introduced folks to electronic music, or even largely instrumental music, that otherwise wouldn't entertain the idea at a time when MTV and corporate radio was still a primary source of music discovery.

That seems like a lot to type for a pick that I'm indifferent on and won't really affect me, but I am curious about if everyone believes that we should keep working to redefine VMP's product and service for them when they continue to sell and promote it another way only to fall short.

Who here is really excited about this and, if you are, would you make the case this is an essential own? I'm genuinely curious. I'm also interested to see the VMP write up arguing that case.

Right now doesn't really feel like the best time to try and sell a blues and soul influenced album by pop star who claimed his dick was a white supremacist and dropped the N word in an interview, claiming he had a "hood pass" simply based on the fact that he's an appropriater. That one is going to be more difficult to defend than just releasing an unexciting essentials pick. I wonder if they'll even acknowledge it.
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In this case, “Essentials” is subjective based on whoever is curating at VMP. Just as it would be for any subscription or individual who made a list of what is “essential”.

To me, I don’t really care that much and it’s just the branding name they picked for when they started to let any track be the primary one as opposed to add-ons. The sole reason I wish they chose something different is to not see the same argument every month over what is “essential”.
 
spilledleche said:
With the amount of Dave Matthews fans who've been wanting this for over 20 years, this would be the biggest seller in VMP history
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The band typically likes to keep things in house. They did work with Amazon for a color way of Crash but that’s been about it. There was a lot of chatter about getting a 20th anniversary release but the ship has sailed.
I guess anything is possible.
 
Dead C said:
Except, it feels like we're working backwards here. It's like going to a "classic Italian" restaurant that starts loading the menu with low end cheesburgers and hard shell tacos and then saying, "well... we can agree that this shouldn't be advertised as an Italian restaurant, but..." The thing is that it IS advertised that way. Just because it doesn't hit the mark, doesn't mean we should accept and redefine that for them. "I ordered the baked ziti and got a quesadilla, but I like quesadillas. It's cool." These are supposed to be essentials. Just because there is a Rap & Hip Hop track and a Classics track full of jazz and blues, doesn't mean Essentials isn't still supppsed to be essentials. It's still advertised as albums they believe everyone needs to own.
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With this post, you really hit the money on the head and summed up why this choice really annoys me. There have been other choices I haven't liked off the bat, or wouldn't have purchased if they weren't part of the club, but I can see why they were chosen; Moby being one for reasons laid out above. Arctic Monkeys were another TBH. Hell, even Queen.

But John Mayer? I'm sorry, it's cheap and lazy, and nothing anyone can say can convince its 'essential' music.

Also, I can almost guarantee you if you asked any of the owners of VMP 6 years ago if they would ever do a John Mayer album they would have scoffed at the very suggestion, but no doubt they'll find some way to justify it now.

Depending on the next 2 that are announced, I may use this as time to downgrade to classics only.
 
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Gavaxeman said:
Sorry still none the wiser .....

Literally I have never heard of this fella ..didn’t cross the pond
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I think I recall his name in the same way I am aware of Lyle Lovett, he was briefly the other half of someone more famous.

Who know if it ranks high amongst VMPs worst picks - but given the last years curation usually is more miss than hit, asks you to wait longer than you should and pay over market rate, I wonder why anyone bothers anymore !

I don’t know what is so special that keeps the membership Interested. In fact I wonder if they have many real die hard members. Is is mainly people that pop in and out for Albums that take their fancy ? I regularly get emails asking me to return, maybe that’s how they roll - a bit like gyms survive on memberships needing constant enrolment to replace the fallout.
 
ByersVinyl said:
I think I recall his name in the same way I am aware of Lyle Lovett, he was briefly the other half of someone more famous.

Who know if it ranks high amongst VMPs worst picks - but given the last years curation usually is more miss than hit, asks you to wait longer than you should and pay over market rate, I wonder why anyone bothers anymore !

I don’t know what is so special that keeps the membership Interested. In fact I wonder if they have many real die hard members. Is is mainly people that pop in and out for Albums that take their fancy ? I regularly get emails asking me to return, maybe that’s how they roll - a bit like gyms survive on memberships needing constant enrolment to replace the fallout.
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Lyle Lovett is really good. It's Country but a bit off-beat, kind of a jazzy hybrid. He writes a good song too.

 
joining this thread to say hey! Vultures is a GOOD SONG

that being said i don't need Continuum. Seems obvious to me VMP knows this will get some ridicule so they're hyping up 2 more essentials ROTMs to still get some positive feedback.

also best album of the 90's ? weird way for VMP to announce they're doing Long Season . i can hope, ok?
 
wynn72 said:
In this case, “Essentials” is subjective based on whoever is curating at VMP. Just as it would be for any subscription or individual who made a list of what is “essential”.

To me, I don’t really care that much and it’s just the branding name they picked for when they started to let any track be the primary one as opposed to add-ons. The sole reason I wish they chose something different is to not see the same argument every month over what is “essential”.
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Like I said, the main question here is probably whether or not we believe that they actually believe in this choice or not. VMP marketed themselves a certain way. They are a "club." Not really. They killed the forum and everything club like about it. They have special deals in the store for members. Nope. They killed the curated titles and those weren't really a deal either. They do exclusives special for members. Well... first of all, those exclusives generally have a huge markup over other variants and consistently prove that with workarounds that they don't fix and increasingly shorter exclusivity windows that non-members often have as good, if not a better, shot at titles. But... but.. the customer service... They changed their damage policy on the sly and accused a longtime member of trying to scam them after asking for a replacement. Then, after fucking everyone over went completely silent for over a month over the holidays and refused to address any issues, even when they still had thousands of dollars worth of some individuals money.

So, what is VMP? At every step some weak excuse is made for why they don't actually have to live up to how they advertise their service. The one core idea of the company is their essentials curation and that you're supposed to be able to trust that they are bringing their one solid curated title that they believe is a winner, a necessary addition to your collection. It doesn't have to be everyone's cup of tea, but at least we are supposed to believe that they believe it. This month is is John Mayer. We literally have a member in here that has been with VMP since 2014 and has never swapped that is swapping this out. Everyone can't keep making these arguments that all of the additional stuff that is outside the essentials release are "bonuses" that shouldn't be expected, even though they are advertised and you pay for them based on what is advertised. When swaps go sideways, "swaps are just a bonus, anyway. They don't even have to offer those. It's a subscription service." "Sure, Honest is the weakest release in his catalog..." "Sure Mr Hands is far from the strongest Herbie album..." "BUt" BUT" Ok, at least those are in the add on subs, but this is the main track. This is the Essentials track.

And it's not just a name they picked. New people are still joining and doing so after reading the following description...

"VMP Essentials sends its members an album that is absolutely essential to every record collection. It's not just a clever name: we'll send you the best of indie rock, metal, rap, folk, country, and even funk by an Ethiopian legend. These are records your collection is incomplete without."

They literally tell you that "it's not just a clever name." And your argument is that people are complaining because they can't realize that it's just a clever name?

IF you advertise something in a very specific way, then you can't roll your eyes about customers who order what's being advertised based on how it's being advertised. They write it up this way to get your money. Then you give them your money and the response is, "Idiot. You're splitting hairs. Of course we didn't actually mean it.

So, what is this company if not the Essentials choice? Even though I disagree, I've watched people consistently explain that's the only thing that they really promise and should have to live up to. The question remains, does VMP themselves believe that Continuum really is an essential release? If not, then why are they releasing it? If you want to be Newbury, then be Newbury. At least Newbury doesn't claim to be anything other than it is.

There are two things that I feel like this track has to hit. Either it needs to be something iconic and, therefore, acceptable that it's popular and well known based on its essential status. Or, it needs to at least be something that demonstrates value in their curation. Maybe it's not widely known, but it's overlooked and should be known. I'm failing to see where Continuum falls in either category. It's fucking lazy and the only reason you don't seem to care is because YOU personally don't seem to care. It seems that you're looking at this like a fine choice that only particular people will be turned off by because it isn't their taste. I think it's the opposite and only certain people won't care because it's fine with them, even though it is in direct conflict with their mission statement and a LOT of people out there might be feeling duped after signing up for one thing and getting something else. I guess another thing that's subjective is how far individuals are willing to go to rationalize something with no real rationale to it.

I'm asking again: who is excited about this album? Are most people cool with this choice and, if so, would they have been 2 years ago, or have their expectations just been lowered and worn down so far that they've stopped caring anymore?

I couldn't care either way, but I do think your logic is flawed on this one. Subjectivity is fine, but do WE believe that THEY believe in what they're doing, or do they not even give a shit and are willing to release things they believe are non-essential -- possibly, even mediocre, titles -- just because they will sell? And, if that's the case, what are they really bringing to the table at that point?
 
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Dead C said:
Like I said, the main question here is probably whether or not we believe that they actually believe in this choice or not. VMP marketed themselves a certain way. They are a "club." Not really. They killed the forum and everything club like about it. They have special deals in the store for members. Nope. They killed the curated titles and those weren't really a deal either. They do exclusives special for members. Well... first of all, those exclusives generally have a huge markup over other variants and consistently prove that with workarounds that they don't fix and increasingly shorter exclusivity windows that non-members often have as good, if not a better, shot at titles. But... but.. the customer service... They changed their damage policy on the sly and accused a longtime member of trying to scam them after asking for a replacement. Then, after fucking everyone over went completely silent for over a month over the holidays and refused to address any issues, even when they still had thousands of dollars worth of some individuals money.

So, what is VMP? At every step some weak excuse is made for why they don't actually have to live up to how they advertise their service. The one core idea of the company is their essentials curation and that you're supposed to be able to trust that they are bringing their one solid curated title that they believe is a winner, a necessary addition to your collection. It doesn't have to be everyone's cup of tea, but at least we are supposed to believe that they believe it. This month is is John Mayer. We literally have a member in here that has been with VMP since 2014 and has never swapped that is swapping this out. Everyone can't keep making these arguments that all of the additional stuff that is outside the essentials release are "bonuses" that shouldn't be expected, even though they are advertised and you pay for them based on what is advertised. When swaps go sideways, "swaps are just a bonus, anyway. They don't even have to offer those. It's a subscription service." "Sure, Honest is the weakest release in his catalog..." "Sure Mr Hands is far from the strongest Herbie album..." "BUt" BUT" Ok, at least those are in the add on subs, but this is the main track. This is the Essentials track.

And it's not just a name they picked. New people are still joining and doing so after reading the following description...

"VMP Essentials sends its members an album that is absolutely essential to every record collection. It's not just a clever name: we'll send you the best of indie rock, metal, rap, folk, country, and even funk by an Ethiopian legend. These are records your collection is incomplete without."

They literally fucking tell you that "it's not just a clever name." And your argument is that people are complaining because they can't realize that it's just a clever name?

IF you advertise something a very specific way, then you can't roll your eyes about customers who order what's being advertised based on how it's being advertised. They write it up this way to get your money. Then you give them your money and the response is, "Idiot. You're splitting hairs. Of course we didn't actually mean it.

So, what is this company if not the Essentials choice? Even though I disagree, I've watched people consistently explain that's the only thing that they really promise and should have to live up to. The question remains, does VMP themselves believe that Continuum really is an essential release? If not, then why are they releasing it? If you want to be Newbury, then be Newbury. At least Newbury doesn't claim to be anything other than it is.

There are two things that I feel like this track has to hit. Either it needs to be something iconic and, therefore, acceptable that it's popular and well known based on its essential status. Or, it needs to at least be something that demonstrates value in their curation. Maybe it's not widely known, but it's overlooked and should be known. I'm failing to see where Continuum falls in either category. It's fucking lazy and the only reason you don't seem to care is because YOU personally don't seem to care. It seems that you're looking at this like a fine choice that only particular people will be turned off by because it isn't their taste. I think it's the opposite and only certain people won't care because it's fine with them, even though it is in direct conflict with their mission statement and a LOT of people out there might be feeling duped after signing up for one thing and getting something else. I guess another thing that's subjective is how far individuals are willing to go to rationalize something with no real rationale to it.

I'm asking again: who is excited about this album? Are most people cool with this choice and, if so, would they have been 2 years ago, or have their expectations just been lowered and worn down so far that they've stopped caring anymore?

I couldn't care either way, but I do think your logic is flawed on this one. Subjectivity is fine, but do WE believe that THEY believe in what they're doing, or do they not even give a shit and are willing to release things they believe are non-essential -- possibly, even mediocre, titles -- just because they will sell? And, if that's the case, what are they really bringing to the table at that point?
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I guess my expectations aren't the same as yours. I don't expect them to really be a club or for the monthly "essentials" pick to live up to the name. Honestly, at this point I don't know how anyone does. "Records your collection is incomplete without"? It's just typical hyberbole used in branding and marketing.

My only real expectations at this point is for them to mail me whatever records I choose to buy in a reasonable amount of time and in good condition (which granted, is also not one of their strong points).
 
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