Does anyone besides me find it shocking there are so few posts and so little interest here about the first new Smiths tracks in 30 plus years?
There is a reasonable response in amongst these threads - a mixture of enthusiasm and muted cynicism.
New? Well, kind of.
The release of these tracks is meant to drum up interest in TQID box set and they haven't managed that consistently - giving dates that live tracks will appear by - then they're late and with no YouTube presence for the 600+ subscribers to that channel. The only route to IKIO is Spotify and despite its growth, many people are not going to get an app for a few songs - indeed, not everyone engages with Spotify at all. Their Twitter is closed and they really are not doing much to ensure any success here besides a few FB posts. The way to disseminate information online is easier than ever, yet the record company lacky at Smith's HQ is woefully lacking - made worse when the things required to increase awareness and interest are beyond simple to do.
I personally think they should do a 'Pearl Jam' with all the recorded live stuff and allow people to be able to download or physically own as many gigs in great quality as they'd like (I'd certainly like to hear some I went to again in better quality).
Unfortunately, they won't ever approach things so sensibly or with fans at the heart of decisions.
The time for excitement was last year and it appears some of the blundering attached has carried over in to this year - name an artist who's done a 31st year anniversary recently!? That's not really something that creates interest. With a decent strategy and people who know what they are doing - it could have been a whole lot different. Sadly, that can be said about a lot of things in the Morrissey world recently.
Regards,
FWD.
(Please note - I am 'excited' to own the box set, but not the damp squib build up).
Edit: apparently the tracks are available on Google Play too - with absolutely zero advertising or informing.