Some would simply call it an evolution of style, and others might call it a sellout. I'd like to hear your examples of musical acts that changed so radically over time that you'd consider it a sellout.

My example would be Jefferson Starship. Their first album was "Blows Against The Empire", which was about hippies hijacking a starship. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HzclibWeXM8&t=1126s

Grace Slick was the first person to say "motherfucker" on television when performing their material.

They went from that to shedding personnel, renaming themselves "Starship", and making pop music. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IDI2WQJyE7I

What are your before and after examples that you consider a sellout?

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[–] mPony@kbin.social 3 points 1 year ago

I enjoy Coldplay as much as most people don't enjoy Coldplay, which is quite a lot considering what I've heard some people say. They have, how shall I put this, "refined their sound" extensively over the past decade. Parachutes, A Rush Of Blood To The Head, X&Y, Viva La Vida: that's a remarkably solid group of albums. And then there's been a string of albums that I admit I enjoy rather less than those. Those younger than me still seem to enjoy them, so they must still be doing something right. So you can call that what you will. I wouldn't call it selling out per se but they certainly have taken a direct route to commercial success and aren't afraid to change with the times.