Neil Young has made a big stink about sound quality in recent years, and he continued to do so today, posting a Facebook message and accompanying tweet indicating that he’s taking his music off streaming services because the audio isn’t up to snuff. Young, whose PONO digital music player was predicated on the potentially specious promise of a revelatory sonic experience that far surpasses your basic MP3, explained, “I don’t need my music to be devalued by the worst quality in the history of broadcasting or any other form of distribution.” What about CD-quality streaming offered by TIDAL and Deezer, though? Seems like Young hasn’t thought this through — or is trying to trick entice more people into spending big bucks at the PONO store. Here’s Young’s full message, which was published with the hilarious melting-vinyl image above:
“Streaming has ended for me. I hope this is ok for my fans.
It’s not because of the money, although my share (like all the other artists) was dramatically reduced by bad deals made without my consent.
It’s about sound quality. I don’t need my music to be devalued by the worst quality in the history of broadcasting or any other form of distribution. I don’t feel right allowing this to be sold to my fans. It’s bad for my music.
For me, It’s about making and distributing music people can really hear and feel. I stand for that.
When the quality is back, I’ll give it another look. Never say never.”
Neil Young
