New Radiohead album gives smug music thieves sense of moral high ground

[Matt]

I bought the discbox.

It'll put my kids through college one day.

[AdamFromKansas]

I'm interested in the implications of such a big band as Radiohead essentially letting their listeners decide how much they want to download their new album for.  I speculated amongst some friends that if their "experiment" works, we will see an even faster erosion of record labels and a rise in bands whose primary revenue comes from live shows.  This line of thought seemed to be confirmed by this story: http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/main.jhtml?xml=/news/2007/10/09/nradiohead108.xml.  I found it on the Drudge Report earlier, today.  I'm interested in what everyone else sees coming of this, if anything.

Yes, Tom.  I know that Matt Drudge is in the hate pit.  I did, however, miss the show where you explained why he is in there.  Something about him being a creep, or you don't like his hat...  That was all I caught, though.

[AdamFromKansas]

I just realized that someone already started a thread about this, but my post is different enough in its focus that I think I'll just leave it up...

[masterofsparks]

I think most bands already make the majority of their revenue from touring. Thanks to the way most major-label contracts are set up, you have to really sell a lot of records before you start making money from sales alone.

[erika]

I think most bands already make the majority of their revenue from touring.

Esp when you charge 80 - 150 a ticket.

That said, if you ever have the chance to see Radiohead live -- DO IT. I did a few years back and it was the greatest concert I've ever been to. I actually cried I was so happy.

[AdamFromKansas]

Well, I think band loyalty is far more important to bands.  What I mean by that is, I went to see U2 at Glendale Arena when they came through Phoenix on their last tour.  It was the first time I ever saw them live.  I paid $100 each for my wife and I to go see them.  Consider: Paying $12 for their CD at Target where they probably make $5 or $6 profit, or paying $100, where they at least make half that, after expenses.  AND consider the merchandising.  I think I paid $30 for a shirt and $10 for a poster.

Also, I was just reading on Pitchfork that Trent Reznor is not a free agent without any label plans.  Since he wanted people to download his last album for free we can all probably guess that he'll pull a Radiohead with his future albums.  Not that I'm a Trent Reznor fan in any sense, but progress is progress, I say.

[chrisfoll577]

Well, I think band loyalty is far more important to bands.  What I mean by that is, I went to see U2 at Glendale Arena when they came through Phoenix on their last tour.  It was the first time I ever saw them live.  I paid $100 each for my wife and I to go see them.  Consider: Paying $12 for their CD at Target where they probably make $5 or $6 profit, or paying $100, where they at least make half that, after expenses.  AND consider the merchandising.  I think I paid $30 for a shirt and $10 for a poster.

when you put it that way... the record companies don't sound half bad. i wouldn't pay that much even for 'floor seats'.

[erika]

Just out of curiosity, how much would you pay?

[Chris L]

I tried donating a few bucks for this download, but the website wouldn't accept my cc (the problem was def. on their end).  I'll make up for it by buying an "In Rainbows" coffee mug or something. 

[chrisfoll577]

Just out of curiosity, how much would you pay?

unless U2's playing halftime while the patriots are in the super bowl... it might range into tom's 'pay me' scenario.  i paid 40 dollars to see radiohead when they came to boston last year, i'd pay twice that at the most, without the merch.

as for in rainbows, i spent 10 quid (i've always wanted to pay in quid)

[Gilly]

Anybody think there is going to be massive problems actually getting the album tomorrow? The website is slow enough, I can't imagine what is going to happen when it comes time for everybody to download a 90-120 mb album.

[Chris L]

Anybody think there is going to be massive problems actually getting the album tomorrow? The website is slow enough, I can't imagine what is going to happen when it comes time for everybody to download a 90-120 mb album.

from an email update from WASTE:

THE ALBUM WILL COME AS A 48.4MB ZIP FILE CONTAINING 10 X 160KBPS DRM FREE MP3s.

So now I'm glad I didn't pay $ for these mp3s.  I'll just get the higher quality album when it comes out.

[Dorvid Barnas]

Track-by-track Preview!

[Dan B]

I got my e-mail. It's downloading. I"m about to listen. I'm freaking out.

[Dorvid Barnas]

I got my e-mail. It's downloading. I"m about to listen. I'm freaking out.

I'm halfway through track two. Safe bet for favorite album ever.