What's the idea of release singles after albums?
 

I understand why japanese artists release singles before album but I don't understand why the others artists (not all) releases singles after album. If the same song was released a month ago already in an album, why release it again?
Since it's better to get the songs before the album, but not after.. (My opinnion)

Exactly what I'm wondering.

To promote the album, of course. :)

I guess to promote the album, then...? =/ Although it's really sucky for a promoting technique.

yes.. every time you release a single after an album, the album is in the spotlight again. So mostly; if you release like 3 or 4 singles after 1 album; the album is beeing promoted and sold for a year or so.. which is very good for the albums, but kind of bad for the singles (if you like a song that has a single and an album; most people would uy the album)

Basically, it's how the American album sales are so high.

While the singles never sell too well, people buy the album after hearing the singles in music videos and the radio.

This is why people on average if popular, they sell from 2-10 million++. :|

Releasing singles after albums is the way to go. I don't like Japanese single releases.

Both the American and Japanese ways have their strong points I think.

The American way keeps the album running after release. We also have more surprises waiting for us when we hear the full album.

But for those who prefer to hear more of the album before making a buying decision, the Japanese manner of release works very well (and usually covers and extras are better thought out and cared for) - and if the songs are of high quality, it also builds anticipation for the album.

Most of the time when an American album comes out, you can tell which will be single tracks I think. :p

Advantages
Japanese: Album previewed beforehand. Videos help in visualisation. Singles sell a lot.
English: More album tracks to listen to. Albums sell a lot and for a long time, up to years. Fun to guess the single tracks.

Disadvantages
Japanese: Hardly any tracks left that aren't overplayed to death. Albums sell very fast in the beginning but dies out within months.
English: Album quality not known. Singles sell less.

I think that they make more money in Japan, because the singles sales are IMMENSE, even if the album sales is a lot lower.

I'm more for The English Way, because I don't want to wait a whole year for a cd that is spilling out teasers. When I know an album is finished, I want to hear it. If singles come out, I only buy them when they have bonus tracks, or new versions of the single. But I do enjoy the fact that Japanese Singles are usually loaded with content.

I agree on that. I hate that you've already listened yourself sick to more than half the album before it's released.

90% of the songs in the case of Ayus upcoming album.

I agree with the japanese way, the artists keep working on making videos, photoshoots so they don't have the time that have the japanese artists to make more songs. I think american way is more disordered than the japanese one, it's likely "Hi, here is my album and maybe I will make a video of this song, maybe not" but such MC Tatsujin pointed at, both have advantages and disadvantages :/

I prefer the japanese way.

It gives the artist some times to make material for the album during each singles, but still not making fans wait for long time by releasing songs that has been done as singles. (with exception of several artist of course, like Ku & Namie).

That is so true. I hardly listen to (miss)understood but I can't stop stuffing my ears with RAINBOW.

Well, RAINBOW had a bunch of singles, you just weren't around when they were released. :p So it's kinda like the 'US' way if you listen to old albums..


4/7 is technically not 90%. :p

Rainbow only had 5 singles.. Out of 14 tracks. Compared to (miss)understood. That album cracks me up when I think about it.

EDIT: Damn, I forgot the tie-ins. Sorry.

Technically, B&D/Pride weren't meant for a single.
I think it was a last minute-thing at the time of recording for them to release it..

So it'd be 15 tracks vs. 16 tracks. Not counting B&D/Pride it'd be:
5 single tracks on RAINBOW versus the 6 single tracks on (m)u.
I think that's pretty reasonable if B&D/Pride were left to the album.

Let's count the tie-ins:
(miss)understood:
Bold&Delicious - Panasonic D-snap Audio
STEP you - Panasonic D-snap Audio
is this LOVE? - Morinaga BAKE
alterna - Panasonic LUMIX FX8
Will - Panasonic LUMIX FX9
HEAVEN - SHINOBI
fairyland - Camellia Diamond / Music Fighter
rainy day - ONIMUSHA Dawn of Dreams

RAINBOW:
WE WISH - Kose VISEE
Real me - Panasonic D-snap
Free&Easy - Panasonic Compo
everlasting dream - Panasonic Compo [KIMI NIII AGERUUUUU]
Heartplace - Panasonic LUMIX F1
HANABI - TUKA
everywhere nowhere - Panasonic Dockin' Style MD
Voyage - Drama tie-in
independent- Baseball cheer song
July 1st - Kose VISEE

Ooo! Even an intro-lude had a tie in O_O