Abstract
This paper bases its investigation into consumer purchase behavior of new music on three theories: tricomponent model of attitude, the diffusion process and the adoption process. The research methodology in the paper utilizes secondary and primary sources including a survey of consumers and interviews of employees of the music industry. The paper indicates the need to understand the consumer attitudes towards objects to be purchased, thus supporting the conative component of the attitude model into the adoptive process. The survey and results for each question are included.

Table of Contents
Executive Summary
Introduction
The Purpose
Background
Topic Choice
Main Objectives
Literature Review
Introduction
The Tricomponent Attitude Model
Last.fm
Methodology
Introduction
Research Philosophy
Research Approach
Research Strategy
Research Credibility
Data Collection
Primary Data
Secondary Data
Tools
Limitations of Research
Findings
How Consumers have Learnt about Music
The Tricomponent Attitude Model
The Cognitive Component
The Affective Component
The Conative Component
The Adoption Process
Awareness
Interest
Evaluation
Trial
Adoption (Rejection)
The Role of Hardware in the Consumer Purchase/Acquisition Process
Conclusion
Recommendations
Questions for the Survey
Results
Interviews Questions
Age Demographics of Music Purchases

From the Paper
"There are a number of mediums by which a consumer will typically learn about new music and these are important in understanding the attitude that consumers hold towards new music in general. As previously mentioned, interviews were held with both Mark Wilkinson of UCJ and with Stephen Bowman of Blake. Please see the list of questions that were identical but directed at both individuals apart from each other as means to comparing corporate versus independent views."

Tags:labels hardware downloading, conative component, interpretivism

Abstract
This paper explains that androgyny can be seen in many areas of the contemporary cultural spectrum, especially where the focus is on self-expression and experimentation. Although androgyny is not a modern phenomenon as witnessed by Da Vinci's "Mona Lisa", the author believes that it only has been in more recent decades that it has become accepted as part of society and is actually encouraged. The paper presents examples of androgyny in modern culture such as in the worlds of music with Boy George and Lady Gaga, in fashion with Andrej Pejic and in the movies with actor James Franco.

From the Paper
"In October 2010, actor James Franco, who has starred in films such as Pineapple Express and 127 Hours, is always one for the avante garde and dressed as a woman for the cover of Candy magazine. The magazine is described as, "The first fashion magazine ever completely dedicated to transvestism, transsexualism, cross-dressing and androgyny, in all its manifestations.". Wearing a full face of make up and a variety of dresses, the 32 year-old describes himself as not being gay but after staring as Saun Penn's homosexual lover in the film Milk now feels "homosexual loves stories are more interesting". It speaks volumes that a Hollywood actor would feel comfortable doing a thing such as this and shows that these types of images are not as shocking or as frowned upon as they once were.
"Moving on from the fashion industry, there are also many examples of androgyny in the music world, music has always been an expression of the culture at any given time and no period in the music industry was more focused on androgyny than the 1970s and 80s.
"In the early 1970s glam rock began to gain popularity, a UK invention, glam rock was characterised by quite often ridiculous costumes and outrageous over the top make up, with platform boots and copious amounts of glitter being must haves."

Tags:make-up cross-dressing, glam rock, costumes, annie lennox

Abstract
An examination of the effect of Elvis Presley's career and life had on American society and culture. It discusses how his music transformed rock n' roll not only in how it sounded but also in his appearance and sexuality. It further looks at his movie career and how he influenced musicians and entertainers including Madonna.

From the Paper
"Elvis Presley openly acknowledged that black musicians and their unique blend of soul and blues were a major influence in his career. He grew up in a poor household in the rural South. He understood the problems faced by the poor in the South, many of whom were Black. He listened to their music, visited their clubs and bars, and brought their musical form to the attention of the world when he blended it with his country blues."

Tags:Music, Rock n' Roll, Elvis, culture

Abstract
This paper looks at rap music and its influence on today's youth, especially in the black community. It looks at the history of rap music, the lyrics and examines both its proponents and opponents. The lifestyles of the artists themselves are examined, as is the message they send, and the affect they have on their audience, whether intentional, or not.

From the Paper
"However, life often imitates art. Gangsta rap, a type of rap music made most popular by Tupac Shakur and Biggie Smalls, glorifies violence such as murder, rape, and stealing. These two men in particular are role models to millions of young children who saw both of these icons die by way of gun violence. Despite their deaths, rap music continues to portray gang life and violence as something trendy and "cool". Drug use is also constantly glorified - west coast rappers such as Snoop Dogg and Dr. Dre popularized the marijuana leaf in their lyrics; so much so that t-shirts, hats and bumper stickers with the bright green leaves were sold all over the country. I cannot fathom that the promotion of such illegal activities can bring about any positive results. Whether they desire to be or not, these entertainers are role models to young children and older teens. Their influence upon such impressionable minds is being used to desensitize their lives regarding violence, guns, gangs and drug use while glorifying life without a father, living on welfare and spending time in jail."

Tags:hip, hop, ganster, rap, entertainers, shakur, tupac, youth, black, conservative, liberal, lyrics, ganstar, records, society, african, american, nigger, violence, rape

Abstract
The paper takes a close look at heavy metal music and examines the misogynistic themes that are alleged to be part of the music and their influence on society as a whole and lovers of this genre of music in particular. The author states that the main audience for this type of music has traditionally been teenage boys and young men from a working class, low socio-economic background. The writer examines a number of heavy metal bands and their music and contends that, running through much of the music are definite anti-female themes. Further evidence of this can be found in the artwork associated with some of the albums released by heavy metal bands. The paper includes a photograph of the album cover for 'Tomb of the Mutilated'.

From the Paper
"The imagery of this band in terms of the album covers is as misogynistic as their music, with pictures showing what the music already conjures up images of. Image one (below) shows Cannibal Corpse's album cover for 'Tomb of the Mutilated', featuring a picture of two mutilated corpses, with the supposedly male one performing a sexual act on the restrained female, possibly depicting a scene from the song 'Entrails Ripped from a Virgin's Cunt' discussed above. There isn't any way to describe this image as not being misogynistic, when it's simply a picture of a woman being sexually assaulted and murdered. However, imagery is often used to shock, as this leads to sales, the picture is not necessarily chosen because it is sexually pleasing to the men listening to the music."

Tags:music, guns 'nroses, women male teenagers cultural lyrics entertainment

Abstract
This paper tackles the reception of and reaction to, artists and their works by society, paying particular attention to the consequences of this towards the freedom of speech. It includes close references to, amongst others, the works and observations of Eminem, Oscar Wilde and Seamus Heaney.

From the Paper
"The culture of apportioning blame onto those artists who may or may not have had a negative influence upon an individual is one that I feel to be totally flawed and in some cases completely unfair. Marshall Mathers has used various alter egos to put across his opinions and views, and through Slim Shady or Eminem I feel that many of his observations and experiences of society have been conveyed using the satire and parody these characters purvey. Unfortunately members of the public have taken it upon themselves to adjudge the responsibility of the actions of individuals who have interpreted his material in a literal manner onto Marshall Mathers himself."

Tags:geneva, convention, eminem, oscar, wilde, seamus, heaney

Abstract
This paper looks at Queen's "Bohemian Rhapsody" from a poetic perspective. "Bohemian Rhapsody" was written in 1975 by the British rock band Queen, whose lead singer Freddie Mercury died in 1991 from AIDS. It looks at how it is one of the world's most popular all-time songs and how it is an epic work that belongs to the musical genre "Rock-Opera". It focuses on the themes of the song and analyzes its structure and lyrics to search for deeper meaning.

From the Paper
"Queen's songs are characterized by being melodious, harmonious, and unique. Queen's songs are instantly enjoyable and appear simple but when we look at them closer they are actually quite complex. On an unconscious level, people can perceive many musical devices at work - like a tasteful change of key or a special chord or rhythm pattern. This enhances the beauty of the melody. Listeners that are more musically learned tend to notice such tricks right on the spot, whereas little children and throwaway-music listeners are less affected by special compositional devices. Queen use many compositional tricks."

Tags:Freddie Mercury, rock opera, zoroastrianism

Abstract
This paper discusses how Carole King is probably one of the most influential pop song writers of the late sixties and early seventies and how her second album "Tapestry" was and still is widely considered as her greatest collection of recordings. It looks at how, number one for 15 weeks in the charts, it is an astonishingly well written record in terms of the accuracy with which it fills its place in the pop genre and also the standard of production.

From the Paper
"The middle-8 section can effectively be split into two distinct parts. In the first half, a chordal piano solo takes the lead role, playing over a static C minor vamp, whilst the guitar plays slightly emphasized rhythm phrases which add interest whilst importantly not drowning out the piano. The second half of the middle-8 is harmonically the same as the first four bars of the chorus. The guitar exchanges some jazzy lead phrases with the piano in this section, and a more active bass line and ride cymbal rhythm combine to pick up the momentum again. The middle-8 breaks down into the second verse in much the same way as the first chorus progresses into the first verse, with each part simplified to create space in the mix for the softer vocal."

Tags:arrangement, arranging, music, pop, popular, song, songwriting

Abstract
This paper discusses how the music video is a very influential, arguably the most influential, tool used in presenting artist image to the modern record buying public and how it is vital to the sales success of many pop records. It maps the evolution of the popular music video and MTV (Music Television). It also touches on technological issues and business motivations with an emphasis on the sociological implications for the music 'consumer'.

From the Paper
"In the late 1970s/early 1980s, there came a point when the record industry was in its first decline for decades. Disco had faded out of fashion and punk was not generating the necessary interest required to keep the industry's bottom line sufficiently high. Inevitably, profits fell . The record companies needed a new way to market, and sell, mass quantities of records. The solution presented itself in two guises. Firstly, the release of the first Compact Disc in "Japan on October 1st, 1982", and secondly, the start of broadcasting by MTV "at 12.01 am in August 1981". (Haring 1996 p.33-5) Through some manipulation of the retail sector and the phenomenal but perhaps unpredicted success of MTV, which "many scoffed at when it started" (Haring 1996, p.35), a resurgence was sparked which would lead to the 1980s being the most profitable decade the industry had ever seen."

Tags:madonna, mtv, popular, radiohead, sociology

Abstract
This paper examines how the evolution of popular music over the last century has undoubtedly been heavily influenced by the constant development in recording technologies. It looks at how the huge variety of options available to producers and engineers nowadays are almost boundless and how virtually any radical new idea conjured up in the studio can be implemented in one of several ways. It shows how the changing way in which music is produced can be analyzed by looking at several contrasting recordings, produced at suitable milestones in record production history.

From the Paper
"The audio quality of the record is somewhat poorer than more modern reel-to-reel tape recordings. This is primarily due to the non-existence of any noise reduction technology, but also because of the lack of attention paid to the rest of the signal chain, other than the microphones and the tape machine itself. The high proportion of background electrical noise and hiss was mostly created (and then further amplified at the output) in unbalanced, un-screened cabling runs, and poorly earthed equipment. More modern tape machines like those used at Electric Lady Studios by Stevie Wonder, would have been properly biased to balance unwanted distortion and noise, with high frequency fidelity."

Tags:song, sound, popular