These were rock superstars. Today, R.E.M.'s and U2's latest albums aren't moving off the shelves, and the charts are filled with unknowns, leaving a lot of people wondering if there's anyone out there with longevity. Those unknowns are selling records. But let's face it, they're more image than art. And, oftentimes, they're here today and gone tomorrow.
Radio wants to play hit songs.
Their ratings are based on playing songs people like, and they play them a lot. But it's not just radio that's giving us massive doses of the next big thing. With MTV playing a bigger role in breaking new bands, artists get launched to the top of the charts at record speed. One of this season's bands of the moment is Sugar Ray. After massive MTV rotation, their album sold 1.2 million copies in only fifteen weeks.