pondering

[tavellafic]

"Fuck Jive Hard", hmm? Seems to give credence to the Jive won't back JC rumor, or that at least he has to prove himself with this single before they'll sign anything.

But I'm still puzzled about it. It's no surprise that Justin would be the favored child, and I don't even think it's evil of Jive. Justin *is* likely to sell more records than JC; he has the frontman gifts. I compare them to U2; Edge is the spectacularly talented and creative musician of the group, but Bono has *it*, the ability to take an audience whereever he wants, the ability to charm reporters, the ability to draw the eye and camera in any situation.

But record companies release more than one record a year, it's not a zero sum thing. If Jive thinks Nsync is over, you'd think they'd be happy at the idea of getting *two* solo artists out of it. Rejecting Joey, Chris, and Lance, no surprise, but they aren't interested in the *other* pretty boy lead singer? Maybe if he was only interested in doing something oddball and experimental, but Dallas Austin isn't exactly a non-commerical producer. I'd think JC was at least a good a bet as Nick for solo success, and Jive didn't hesitate on signing him.

And I like the song; better than Justin's stuff that I've heard. That's no diss to Justin, it's just that JC's taste in music is a lot closer to mine, and I adore his voice.

Comments

[stenaline.livejournal.com]

I've been thinking the same thing, I don't understand what Jive's doing here. A record doesn't cost that much to produce - the big expenses are usually due to publicity. JC is a well-known person, a CD by him would sell enough to Nsync fans alone to cover expenses.

So why doesn't Jive just let JC make a solo record, even if it's just to keep him happy until they can get Nsync back into the studio? And I'm not saying that JC wouldn't be able to cross over to a wider audience, because I think he could, especially judging from this new song. But lets say that a JC album would only sell a million - that's not a lot compared to what Nsync has sold, but still more than most artists sell. And plenty to cover initial costs.

I don't get why they would risk alienating a guy that's such an important part of one of their biggest acts, for something that wouldn't cost them all that much... So yes. This doesn't make a whole lot of sense to me.

[tavella.livejournal.com]

I don't get why they would risk alienating a guy that's such an important part of one of their biggest acts, for something that wouldn't cost them all that much.

That was the other bit, if Jive *doesn't* think Nsync is over, why are they pissing JC off so much? Because if they do enough of it, they could end up with JC not cooperating with recording another Nsync album and recording solo for another label. Maybe they signed to a bad enough contract with Jive that Jive has first refusal on solo work, but I can't believe that even in the sucky world of music contracts, that Jive can refuse to sign *and* keep him from recording with anyone else.

JC's unlikely to want to do a big tour and I bet Justin's going to be on the road for months next year. Johnny's already got March dates set up, supposedly, and you *know* Jive is going to want him on the road during the big summer concert season. Let JC do an album that comes out in spring, and his own promo will be done by the time Justin comes off the road in fall, and then Nsync might actually get into the studio.

The only thing I can think of is that Jive still harbors fantasies of a Q4 album by Nsync next year, and wants to keep JC from interfering with them going into the studio in January. Have him do the heavy lifting on recording the album while Justin flits in and out from the road and publicity tours. But would JC be so pissy and looking to do his own album if he thought they were still going to go into the studio on the original schedule?

Re:

[stenaline.livejournal.com]

they could end up with JC not cooperating
See, that's what I'm afraid Justin's "I would like to make another Nsync album" [emphasis mine] on 20/20 meant.

I don't think there's a rift between Justin and JC. But I can see them being stuck on different sides in a conflict with Jive. Jive has after all been very good to Justin lately.

I would just think that even if the considered a JC solo album as a risk money wise - which I don't agree with - they should still measure potential losses up against the amount of money they'll make on another Nsync album. See it as an investment.

Look at what Jive has done for Nick Carter - I'm not the biggest BSB fan, yet I have issues with the way he's been treated - he's made his CD and done promo on his own. I don't think "Now or Never" has cost Jive much. Still, Nick is happy, and happy!Nick is more likely to record with BSB again - where the big money come into the picture. Why couldn't they have done the same for JC?

Unless, of course, Jive isn't all that interested in Nsync as a group anymore :/

[tavellafic.livejournal.com]

Yeah, but if they aren't interested in Nsync, you'd think they'd be happy to salvage another solo artist out of it. The stuff JC has written for other people (Boyz and Girls United, Scene 23) hasn't done much, but he wasn't singing. When he was, Bring It All To Me was a top 5 hit for Blaque, which indicates some people are interested in hearing him. And from a completely shallow perspective, he's pretty, he's got a substantial fanbase going back to MMC days. Not as big as Justin's but he's usually number two.

Look at what else Jive has; R. Kelly is more likely to be in prison than recording new albums for them, Britney's definitely looking past her sell-by date... surely JC has to be a better risk for them than a completely untried artist.

I thought at first it might be that JC wanted to go in a really experimental direction and Jive told him he'd have to work with a bigger name producer, but Dallas is big name and he was the one wearing the fuck Jive tshirt, which indicates that Jive is still screwing with him. Hell, even if they don't want a JC solo album, they wanted the Drumline soundtrack, they must have paid money for it. Why would they sabotage themselves? I'm just so confused.

[stenaline.livejournal.com]

I think the rumour about JC "having to prove himself" might be true. That Jive initially was not so interested in a solo-effort from JC (for whatever reason) and that they wanted to test the waters with a soundtrack song.

Or maybe Dallas' shirt is all about him, and has nothing to do with JC whatsoever. Don't really believe that, though, especially taking the date all of this took place into consideration. I know many don't agree with me, but in my mind there is no doubt that JC deliberately chose November 5th as a "fuck you" to Jive.

[tavella.livejournal.com]

I think the rumour about JC "having to prove himself" might be true. That Jive initially was not so interested in a solo-effort from JC (for whatever reason) and that they wanted to test the waters with a soundtrack song.

And this makes me unhappy, because I don't think it screams radio hit. I love it to pieces, but I just don't see it going very high in the Billboard charts.

And I agree that Nov. 5th was not accidental. I'm not sure what message it was supposed to be sending, though.

Re:

[stenaline.livejournal.com]

I choose to believe that the message was about Jive and politics there, rather than anything personal with Justin.

Still don't like this :/

But we'll have to wait and see, I guess. I have a feelling Dallas might start talking when the "Drumline" project is over.