Sunday, May 6, 2012

Orb's plan to become "big fish in a smaller pond" continues

When I first read that the orb was all set to join the aussie version of "The Voice"...the reason given was that orb desired a hit in his "homeland." Certainly his wanting to find "success" in his homeland WOULD be a direct result of his decline in the US. As I've described the move to OZ tv...orb was hoping to be "a big fish in a little pond" ie: Australia...as opposed to a "small fish in a big pond" ie: America. With ALL orb's prospects in the US dwindling...a much needed change to find customers for his music was a desperate necessity!  So, it was with no surprise to stumble on this little tidbit courtesy of monkeyland...


http://www.keithurban.net/story/news/the-story-so-far-a-new-collection-of-hit-songs-released-may-11-in-australia


'THE STORY SO FAR' A NEW COLLECTION OF HIT SONGS RELEASED MAY 11 IN AUSTRALIA


"Keith Urban’s new collection of hits ‘The Story So Far’ will be released on May 11 [in Australia], and features 19 of the most popular songs from the Grammy and ARIA Award winning artist’s albums ‘Get Closer’, ‘Defying Gravity’, ‘Love Pain & the Whole Crazy Thing’ , ‘Be Here’ and ‘Golden Road’."

...which is basically a "greatest hits" release to try and capitalize on the show in oz. I most certainly believe orb wants to  find the success in Oz that he was UNABLE to hold onto here in the states. And I relish when the orb's next album comes out. For it will most surely back up my contention that he is losing fan support and will sell even LESS cds. Nothing the orb has done the past 5 years would convine me that he has what it takes...be it songwriting ability...the personality or the wisdom to attract that legion of fans he has lost those past few years.  It is clear, orb's view now is in Oz...and NOT in the US. There is NOTHING that having even a massively successful show in OZ can do for him here in the states...no level of quality in music that can bring those fans back. In fact, the past month's "media blitz" in the press shows me...and no doubt the orb...that it is clearly a lost cause. Because, IT IS true...orb is simply a "small fish" here in the states...no matter how many manufactured press stories he tries to throw out there.

Wednesday, May 2, 2012

Turns out the orb is too "timid" to Rock out.

A couple of nights ago, I caught Carrie Underwood on David Letterman where she performed her current single, "Good Girl." The song is definately more on the "rock" sounding side than on the country side. Now that would explain why I'm reading on country chart forums that the single seems to be struggling somewhat to get to the top of the country chart. The song though seems to be selling rather briskly...having already sold into the 600k range.
  About a year ago, I was speculating that orb MAY go the heavier "rock" sound for his next album...seeing how his last album clearly did not sell very well. He WAS definitely in need of going a different route for his next album. And based on his rather HEAVY list of old "80's hit" covers on his tour last year...from macca to AC/DC to Tom Petty...and his obvious tendency to "lift" riffs and even lyrics from old 70's and 80's songs...I figured he would go that route. Seems that would NOT be the way orb will go. Already the orb has let it out that he intends to rehash his rehab stint from 2006. But also, more so what tips orb's intention was the release of his current single, "For You." Originally recorded for the film "Act of Valor" end credits...the song was definitely NOT a county song...and more of an ode to 80's pop. Well, the song along with the soundtrack to the film was released on itunes back in Feb...AND did not sell very well. I think it only sold about 15,000 it's first week. And surely, those weak sales prompted orb to "re-record" the song and release it officially to radio as his next single. Seeing how orb is a selling DUD...country radio is the ONLY place orb can "buy" himself a #1 song...BUT...before releasing the song to radio...orb, as I mentioned previously, re-recorded the song to give it a more "country" sound...as the original song was more "pop"...and orb clearly needs SOMETHING to succeed! So, the orb is in a bind...and he's obviously TOO timid to try and "rock out" and be "springsteen!" For it is also clear...orb's past attempts at crossover appeal has failed. He will stick to the country chart and desperately try to regain some very lost traction. But of course, I dont think he will find that redemption...NOT even in country...where his fans are already forsaking him and his music. Getting another radio #1 MAY keep him in the news ticker...and on the country websites...BUT it will definitely NOT save his career!

Sunday, April 29, 2012

Media blitz and yet orb's single STILL drops out of TOP 100 country songs on itunes

So, after media bombing the innertubes news...starting with performing his newly announced single, "For You" on the ACM awards through having a "radio #1" party and having  his annual "BENEFIT FOR ORB" where he attempted to bribe his fansiesite members with a free lunch and swag...to a "surprise" announcement that he was invited to join the Opry...all culminating at the actual Opry induction performance...the orb's new single ACTUALLY dropped out of the Top 100 Country downloads at itunes. In fact, MOST of orb's music...aside from the previous single, "You Gonna Fly" which sits at #95 on itunes...DOES NOT appear on ANY of the album or singles sales reports this week. The orb does not register even on the backlog album or singles sales top 200 sales charts.
 Now, currently orb is appearing on the The Voice Oz version. And of course aussie websites cover the show...YET orb's sales continue to be VERY weak! I have made the argument before that NO matter what orb does...all the lame family photo ops...all the red carpet and awards show appearances...the manufactured press events...his music IS NOT going to sell. No matter what he does, his sales will continue to fall. And the fact of the matter is...orb does not have anything of interest...he just doesnt have the songwriting talent or the complexity to transcend his bland and dull personality. I simply state that the orb is too superficial and too one dimensional...his music TOO derivative to attract true faithfulness from country music listeners. And so, his sales will continue to fall, his awards recognition will dwindle till he is NOT any longer simply invited to perform on the show to "sell" his latest singles...since they DONT sell, why will they bother to invite him? They want the "marque" country artists...who have MULTIPLE albums and singles on the sales charts...because NOTHING lasts for very long in entertainment without "SUCCESS." With success also comes entertainment. Now, orb fansies like to tout orb's prowess while on tour...but...when it is also clear that his live tours are ALSO falling short of his past success...there will NOT be much they can cheer IF his albums and songs dont sell enough to  keep the orb in business!

UPDATE:
So, a quick check of the Top 100 country song downloads on itunes two days later...

http://www.popvortex.com/music/charts/top-country-songs.php

 reveals that orb's last song, "You Gonna Fly" has now fallen off the top 100 downloads. Orb now has NO songs on the top 100 Country song downloads. Meanwhile...Carrie Underwood has 13 songs on the top 100 downloads....Aldean has 11 songs on the top 100 downloads...Shelton has 5 songs on the list....Church has 3 songs...lady ant has 3...Lambert has 3....swift has 2... and etc. If all this occurs to orb's music...WHEN he is ALL OVER the innertubes...imagine when he releases his next album.

Sunday, April 15, 2012

Orb ‘working feverishly’ to sell LESS albums.




Keith Urban is ‘working feverishly’ on his next album


“I’m writing at a feverish pace and listening to songs,” says Urban, who also is currently a mentor on the Australian version of The Voice. “It’s crazy. I get emailed songs all the time. When I’m not on the set on The Voice, I’m in my trailer listening to songs and working feverishly on my record." ...”As for when fans can expect it in stores, Urban isn’t saying.
“I feel very blessed to not feel incredibly under a huge deadline to have a record out by a certain time,” he says. “It just needs to be the right record.”

http://blogs.tennessean.com/tunein/2012/04/13/keith-urban-is-working-feverishly-on-his-next-album/


So, I have this theory in regard to the orb's album sales. I call it my "Declination Theory." Going  back to orb's release of his 2004 album "Be Here," which eventually sold 4 million cds...every subsequent album he's released has eventually sold only 50% of the previous.  His next album release, "Love, Pain & the Whole Crazy Thing which was released in 2006, went on to sell only 2 million cds. The fact that he wound up in rehab at about the time to the album's release certainly didn't help! But unfortunately, it set the pattern that basically still persists today. His next album, 2009's Defying Gravity would go on to be certified "Platinum" by the RIAA...BUT for "sales and shipments" of a  million. Having followed the sales of the album, the album most certainly ONLY sold about 900,000 copies and the rest were for "shipments" to retail outlets. Which now comes to orb's current album, "Get Closer," released in 2010. Before the first weeks sales of the album were released, I predicted that the album would probably, based on my "Declination Theory," only sell about "500,000 copies...give or take 100,000 either way. Well, based on last reports of the sales of this album, it has probably only sold maybe 700,000 copies. I say probably because the album DOES NOT sell enough to be included on Billboard's Top 200 selling albums each week. So basically, my prediction WAS slightly off...but not by much! It didnt sell 50% LESS copies as per my Declination Theory, it only sold 30% less.
  So, when I read that the orb is "working feverishly" on his next album... I am still struck by the futility of his sales history...and that he is doing it to simply to sell LESS cds! Of course he doesn't "feel incredibly under a huge deadline" as to when it is released...NOT having a recording contract will certainly do that! But of course when it DOES come out...ALL the pressure of it underperforming will be on him. Certainly the orb KNOWS what I have plainly highlighted...he sell less and less cds. It is not only true of his albums...but his singles sales have also dropped to pathetic depths. There is just no excitement for orb's music. He is a rather mediocre songwriter.  And because of that he simply packs his albums with a boatload of co-writers. So, he can "work feverishly" on this next album...but one thing that he can look forward to is less sales.

Tuesday, April 10, 2012

In desperation, the orb has become a "hoarder" of PR events...

Surprise! Keith Urban gets a shocker at benefit


NASHVILLE, Tenn. — Keith Urban was slyly dropping hints about the surprises he had in store at the All For The Hall benefit concert this week, but little did he know the night's biggest surprise was aimed at him.
Vince Gill and members of Rascal Flatts, The Oak Ridge Boys and Diamond Rio surprised Urban with the announcement he will officially join The Grand Ole Opry later this month, a revelation that clearly took the Australian country star by surprise.

So, wasn't it just a perfect "coincidence" that Rascal Flatts, the most recent invitees to the Opry... JUST happened to be on the benefit roster this year! And doesnt it seem to also be a happy coincidence that the last minute press for this "BENEFIT FOR ORB" would be "SURPRISES!" So to add to the orb's TOTALLY fantastic luck...in ONLY the span of 2 days...the orb scheduled his "BENEFIT FOR ORB', proceeds to go to the Hall....and only the day prior, just happened to release a rehashed single to radio, who's proceeds he just announced would go to charity...then he has the "Hall of fame" staff arrange a morning of the "BENEFIT FOR ORB"...a "suprise" breakfast...for 400 hundred of HIS fansiesite members...it comes out this week that the orb participated in a "charity single" organized by Billy Gilman. Now, the night of the "BENEFIT FOR ORB"...orb is "surprised" by an invite to the Opry! Well, that sure smacks of PR whoring to me. The orb "glutony" for press these past two days shows JUST how desperate to try and keep his career viable! BUT...as his soundtrack single for the film Act of Valor...released only about a month ago on itunes has only sold a certain paltry amount shows...this "media mongering" will translate NOT ONE iota to the sales of his cds or singles...or help shore up his faltering concert ticket sales. That is ONE thing I am VERY sure of!!

In desperation, the orb has become a "hoarder" of PR events...

Surprise! Keith Urban gets a shocker at benefit


NASHVILLE, Tenn. — Keith Urban was slyly dropping hints about the surprises he had in store at the All For The Hall benefit concert this week, but little did he know the night's biggest surprise was aimed at him.
Vince Gill and members of Rascal Flatts, The Oak Ridge Boys and Diamond Rio surprised Urban with the announcement he will officially join The Grand Ole Opry later this month, a revelation that clearly took the Australian country star by surprise.


So, wasn't it just a perfect "coincidence" that Rascal Flatts, the most recent invitees to the Opry... JUST happened to be on the benefit roster this year! And doesnt it seem to also be a happy coincidence that the last minute press for this "BENEFIT FOR ORB" would be "SURPRISES!" So to add to the orb's TOTALLY fantastic luck...in ONLY the span of 2 days...the orb scheduled his "BENEFIT FOR ORB', proceeds to go to the Hall....and only the day prior, just happened to release a rehashed single to radio, who's proceeds he just announced would go to charity...then he has the "Hall of fame" staff arrange a morning of the "BENEFIT FOR ORB"...a "suprise" breakfast...for 400 hundred of HIS fansiesite members...it comes out this week that the orb participated in a "charity single" organized by Billy Gilman. Now, the night of the "BENEFIT FOR ORB"...orb is "surprised" by an invite to the Opry! Well, that sure smacks of PR whoring to me. The orb "glutony" for press these past two days shows JUST how desperate to try and keep his career viable! BUT...as his soundtrack single for the film Act of Valor...released only about a month ago on itunes has only sold a certain paltry amount shows...this "media mongering" will translate NOT ONE iota to the sales of his cds or singles...or help shore up his faltering concert ticket sales. That is ONE thing I am VERY sure of!!

Monday, April 9, 2012

They have the technology. They can make him better, stronger...faster.

So, on the eve of the orb's "BENEFIT FOR ORB" vanity show...apparently the orb wishes all to know that his voice is better than ever!

http://www.perthnow.com.au/entertainment/keith-urban-better-than-ever-after-surgery/story-e6frg30c-1226322501969


Country singer Keith Urban better than ever after surgery


http://www.mysanantonio.com/life/article/Keith-Urban-gets-his-voice-back-3469237.php



Keith Urban gets his voice back


http://tasteofcountry.com/keith-urban-vocal-cord-surgery/



Keith Urban Reaps Major Benefits of Vocal Cord Surgery


http://www.dailymail.co.uk/tvshowbiz/article-2127302/Keith-Urban-says-voice-undergoing-surgery-vocal-chords.html?ito=feeds-newsxml

Keith Urban says he found his voice after undergoing surgery on his vocal chords

http://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/entertainment/keith-urban-better-than-ever-after-surgery/story-e6frewyr-1226322276925



Country singer Keith Urban better than ever after surgery


http://blog.chron.com/celebritybuzz/2012/04/keith-urban-im-singing-like-a-younger-man/



Keith Urban: I’m singing like a younger man


...no less than 6 different stories being disseminated on the innertubes on how orb's voice was made stronger, faster...BETTER than it was BEFORE his surgery! Clearly the orb wants all to know that he sounds better than ever! Yeah, clearly the shilling is too over the top to be believed. Just as I mentioned last year when orb was SUPPOSEDLY having throat problems due to a
 "bleeding hemorrhage" suffered while on tour...no one seemed to have noticed while the tour was progressing....AND no physical and audio notice of his throat problems were shown in  public...UNTIL the orb announced that he NEEDED throat surgery!  Not until AFTER that news came out, that orb was "straining" while singing at the CMA's and the CMA xmas special was filmed!  So, again, no mention of his fabulous "new powerful voice" during his performance at this recent ACM awards show. A "standing o" for the orb...for his "guitar hero" licks...and his "energy"...but clearly a few critiques of his "pitchy" performance on a few forums on his performance...by a few of his own fans! I see the desperate act of  a failing and struggling hasbeen in these pathetic obviously leaked online stories!  Successfully selling albums are sold on the strength of the music...the material or the promotion. And the orb is trying to sell his on the back of some simply lame PR gimmicks!