Radiohead's new album available for download tomorrow

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I am not a crook's head
Member Since: Mar 14, 2003

So get this:

Radiohead's new album In Rainbows comes out tomorrow in a download-only format. They have yet to choose a record label so they're doing it themselves.

But here's the fun part: there's no set price for the download. You pay however much you want for it.

Strange? Yes. But that's Radiohead

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Time Waster
Member
Since: Jan 12, 2006


Oct 09, 2007 05:12 pm

Thats's pretty cool... You have a link?

A small pie will soon be eaten
Member
Since: Aug 26, 2004


Oct 09, 2007 05:36 pm

I heard about that. It is a good idea. It would be interesting to see how that ends up working out for 'em.

www.inrainbows.com/Store/Quickindex2.html


The Eternal Student
Member
Since: Oct 08, 2005


Oct 09, 2007 05:50 pm

They'll probably max out on downloads and make $20. =)

Czar of Midi
Administrator
Since: Apr 04, 2002


Oct 09, 2007 09:25 pm

They have unlimited bandwidth I am sure. And yes it is a killer idea who's time has come. They are actually selling a box set as well that will offer much more then you will get in the store. And the price is very reasonable as well. I'm already on the pre order.

And they will make money, no doubt about that. Much more then if they were tied to some stinking money hungry label.

Truth is they don't have any wish to get it on a label, other then their own.

Member
Since: Jan 24, 2006


Oct 09, 2007 09:48 pm

I'm rather cynical of this in that it's easy for a band that's made it's money to do something like this but it sets an ugly precedent for new bands. Why pay for band X if you can get famous band Y for free.

It's being presented as some new way of thinking (Oasis and someone who escapes me are going to do the same thing) but it's just another way for people to make money.

We've all been making download only music where people pay what they want (=zero) for years right :)

Eat Spam before it eats YOU!!!
Member
Since: May 11, 2002


Oct 09, 2007 10:15 pm

well the donation system has worked pretty well for my aardvark website... bearing in mind it hosts drivers for aardvark audio products (aka a company that went under years ago)...and _thats it_ ...I've gotten over $300 in donations... $10 just last week... I have a couple ebook ideas I plan on distributing the same way...


bandwidth wise it's probably a torrent...

I am not a crook's head
Member
Since: Mar 14, 2003


Oct 09, 2007 11:53 pm

Torrent would be the smart way to do it.

Thanks for the link Bleak, I didn't think to link it right away.

I don't think its a revelation or anything, just cool to see a major artist do it. I know I'll download my copy, and probably pay for it.

Got to wonder, what's the scale for the willing price? Hopefully I can make my mind up after listening to it. Sit in the living room, put it on and listen all the way through. What's it worth?

- IT CHANGED MY LIFE!!!!1!!!111 = $20.
C'mon, that's like obnoxious shopping mall Camelot kind of prices. Even for albums that I gave away, much less changed my life.

- That was pretty damn cool = $15.
Average Borders kinds of price for an album...you don't go into every album hoping for a life-changing experience.

- Hmmm, interesting = $10.
I'll plunk down ten smackaroos for a shot in the dark. Better odds than the roulette table.

- Neat. Next. = $5.
I've tipped average waitresses more.

- WTF? = $0
Is this The Eraser 2? Thom, its time for you to get out of the bedroom...and @#$% the rest of you for going along with it!

Member
Since: Jan 18, 2003


Oct 10, 2007 01:15 am

there are studies which show that when people are given the option to decide what to pay for a thing, something in them--ethics, some moral thing--is sort of called upon in a different way, and they tend to pay up. i don't know how to find those articles anymore, but i remember reading about it a few years ago. it's like they're being told 'yeah, i trust you, you're a good person.' and a statistically significant number of peeps turn out to be interested in protecting that perception. they want to be that person.

there will be many freeloaders as well. in the end, i bet it balances out. what does a hugely popular band have to lose? they're already rich, they can cover their recording fees easily, and all the rest is gravy.

ps hi db, you see my edit? i'm drinkin'

I am not a crook's head
Member
Since: Mar 14, 2003


Oct 10, 2007 11:56 am

According to Pitchfork, the download is only available in 160kbps .mp3 format. That kinda sucks because 160kbps is about the lowest threshold for loss of quality that I'll deal with. 192 or 256 would have been better, and V0 would have been great.

So I'm leaning more towards the $0 - $5 range with this in mind.

Prince CZAR-ming
Member
Since: Apr 08, 2004


Oct 10, 2007 12:35 pm

Hoo boy, does that site take a while to load =)


...bringing sexy back
Member
Since: Jul 01, 2002


Oct 10, 2007 12:57 pm

Yeah, bet its busy today. The album's pretty good, though I havent had chance to listen to it without some distraction going on at the same time

Answer:On a good day, lipstick.
Member
Since: Jun 24, 2004


Oct 10, 2007 06:49 pm

I heard "Videotape" on Sirius this afternoon. It's not my cup of tea at all. Odd beats going very fast, with a slow piano and Thom doing his mumble/falsetto/mumble/falsetto thing.
I didn't enjoy it.
Hope the album is better.

More like, "WTF?"

They seem to be one of those bands that can be hot/cold. I don't think I like the whole of any of their albums, but they have some INCREDIBLE songs!
Street Spirit (Fade out) is one of my all time favourite songs; Green Plastice Trees; most (but not all) of OK Computer....


Czar of Midi
Administrator
Since: Apr 04, 2002


Oct 10, 2007 09:00 pm

The Current played a new track on the hour from 10 am this morning. I'm glad I pre ordered the box, can't wait to get it.

Quote:
I'm rather cynical of this in that it's easy for a band that's made it's money to do something like this but it sets an ugly precedent for new bands. Why pay for band X if you can get famous band Y for free.


I'm sorry but I must disagree here. I know I am not the only one who still buys new music from new artists or unheard of artists. I may buy more then the average consumer but I know many peeps out there that will buy independent music just as often as well known band music. And indeed, I will take the freebie anytime, but I feel that supporting the indy artist is something that will help support new music. And I'm sure I'm not alone.

Member
Since: Jan 24, 2006


Oct 10, 2007 10:53 pm

Noize I'm lost on what your point is ??? I buy tons of music from indie and new artists, I buy virtually no old music, but what I am saying is that new artists need to sell records (in the current market) to get a foothold, if bands that already made their money start giving stuff away then that can only hurt them.

I'd rather see music come to a more reasonable price and the artists get a better cut, not have major bands giving stuff away and new bands being forced to overcharge by the biz.

Member
Since: Jan 18, 2003


Oct 11, 2007 02:18 am

i hope it's not all lame. i mostly hate their weirder music. they're a great songwriting band when they want to be, but they've been giving people the middle finger (mostly) for a decade. i can think of four songs since ok computer (everything on OK and before is great) that i like.

these little tiny weak musical efforts are lame. tissue paper in the rain.

i haven't heard the album yet.

I am not a crook's head
Member
Since: Mar 14, 2003


Oct 11, 2007 10:30 am

I don't see how one band giving away music affects another band charging for music. It's not like there's only a certain amount of music that I can listen to. I mean, when is the last time you thought "I'd love to go buy that new Band X album, but I just got Band Y's album for free yesterday...so I'm stuffed"?

Member
Since: Jan 24, 2006


Oct 11, 2007 11:09 am

Sorry for my opinion

For the record I'm saying that "it's easy for an established band to give something away, not so easy for a new band" Radiohead has no record contract with a major label, new bands (signed one's) owe tons of money to the label. It's not an even marketplace.

I am not a crook's head
Member
Since: Mar 14, 2003


Oct 11, 2007 11:21 am

Sorry? Never! :D

I agree that its not easy for smaller bands to try to give stuff away and still stay afloat.

But I don't think that this affects anybody but the listener and Radiohead as far as money. I'm still going to go out this week and pick up the new Iron and Wine CD as well as the new Sunset Rubdown CD, even after I download In Rainbows for free (or for a nominal fee).

Member
Since: Jan 24, 2006


Oct 11, 2007 12:11 pm

But if all, or a significant group, of established bands started doing this then things would change. Perhaps for the better in the long run.

The whole goal of young bands to be "signed" is beginning to fade I think and I hope to see a lot more direct marketing or new "record labels" who help distribute music at little or no cost to the artist, similar in concept to Soundclick but a bit more mainstream.

Czar of Midi
Administrator
Since: Apr 04, 2002


Oct 11, 2007 07:28 pm

Thats my point exactly.

Someone has to start the ball rolling. Whether it is Radiohead or whom ever doesn't matter. It just needs to get going in the proper direction to benefit all.

And I'm with Tadpui, Radiohead or any other major band giving music away it not going to change the way people support indy artists or lesser known bands.

I get payed pretty well by some of my clients, does it stop me from giving my time away to others? Nope, not at all. The paying ones enable me to give what I can to those that need a break. It allows them to be able to make a CD and get just a bit more profit from it. So for the most part, they can sell it just a little cheaper.

A band who will remain nameless did a similar thing years ago. Some thought they were cutting their own profitable throat. Their record was in the store for say $6.00. They sold that exact same piece of vinyl at shows for $2.00. What ended up happening was they sold more records in the store as a result of nearly giving that record away at shows.

I think the same thing will hold true here with whomever decides to test the waters of going the route Radiohead did.

Member
Since: Jan 24, 2006


Oct 19, 2007 12:14 pm

Interesting, but mostly irrelevant fact, this potentially free Radiohead release has been shown to have been illegally downloaded from BitTorrent more than 500,000 times.

What this shows me is that some people have just become used to BitTorrent as a delivery method. That's something that record companies need to think about.

One more fact for the future, my son is 12 and he's into music. The other day he told me that he had never realized that music came on CD's - all he knows is downloads and iPod's, you have to factor that into your opinions, we do not reflect the next generation very well. Many youngsters are used to getting their music cheaply or for free with all the downloading, it will be a touch adjustment for them to pay $15 for a CD.

Czar of Midi
Administrator
Since: Apr 04, 2002


Oct 19, 2007 09:27 pm

Well, I'm not sure then who is teaching these kids. I know mine are more then aware of being able to pirate the music they want. And both use mp3 as a pretty mainstream listening medium. But they both as well own mp3/CD combo players as well as regular mp3 players. They still buy CD's. Why you might ask? Because that is what I have taught them to do.

If a parent leave their kids education to a group of peer's, well then that is what they are going to end up with. A kid with some bad influence's. Personally I take a good deal of time to make sure they are aware of the fact that if they want to enjoy the band's they do in the future they do need to support them. And that means paying for the product they make. They much prefer having the CD and then if they want it on their mp3 player or the computer they can rip it that way.

We have a generation of parents out there that have just left their kids to be attended to by TV and the internet. What do you expect from them? They are not being taught the difference between the simple wrong and right.

If more parents simply took the time to show their kids it might change the way things are. My kids know were music started and appreciate vinyl records as much as they do a CD or mp3. It is just a matter of making sure they know what is available to them.

Sorry to rant, but it all boils down to who is paying attention and who is not.

Member
Since: Jan 24, 2006


Oct 19, 2007 09:35 pm

You seem to be mixing your subjects.

Whether or not kids download music and know about CD's and piracy are totally different things.

My son has one of those subscriptions that lets you get any music you want for $20 per month, this is the model he is growing up with as are many of his friend. No need for CD's to cross his mind really.

In my life I decided there are a lot more important things to consider than whether my son appreciates vinyl and CD quality music :)

Czar of Midi
Administrator
Since: Apr 04, 2002


Oct 19, 2007 10:55 pm

The point is that if they know they can download it for free they will. If they don't know there is an alternative they can't use it. Indeed, the $20.00 a month thing is good. But what do you get with it? No cover art, nothing to touch and look at. Nothing to consider collectible. For my boyz it is all about having the item, and looking for the rare items. Is an mp3 or other digital format rare. I highly doubt it.

And ya, I know your going to prod with the mixed subject again.

But todays kids with their digital downloads have no sense of the actual value of the product at all. It is just another blip in life to them.

I realize to you this is just a rant, but think about it. If you or any parent get a kid to realize the value of a product, the possible value it might attain if it is a limited release, or a limited number of a certain cover art. The ease of the digital download has replaced the actual value a product has in the market for some. Why, because no one has told them that having the real item could be of more value in the end.

So in the end, to those who are taught about it. The purchased tangible product will always be something that they will buy no matter if they can download it or not. And it is your choice to not teach that to you son, I can appreciate that. But my choice is simply different. Maybe its the values my parents taught me???

I am not a crook's head
Member
Since: Mar 14, 2003


Oct 19, 2007 11:15 pm

Cover art is definitely something I miss. I belong to eMusic and download almost the entirety of what I listen to. Even CDs that I buy end up ripped and on my iPod.

The ability to display cover art on my PC's media player and on my iPod is at least a little consolation. But no lyrics and no large-format cover art are things that they need to change about downloaded music. And on a lot of CDs just the paper and texture of the insert is worth the price of the CD.

Personally, I download albums because I can get them cheap. $10 a month for 30 downloads. That's 2 or 3 albums for $10 every month. For that kind of price, I can do away with the tangible product and enjoy more music for my dollar. And its the music that endures anyways.

Plus I still go out and buy CDs that I know will fulfill my expectations of what a $15 entertainment item should provide: a little work of art!

How did I get off on a rant here? Wow I just sat down to play some video games and now I'm preaching about digital music. Bless these computers, I would never have done that without one :-D

Czar of Midi
Administrator
Since: Apr 04, 2002


Oct 19, 2007 11:27 pm

I think that was my problem as well. I'm sitting here doing a huge install. A new product that will be reviewed shortly. 6 Dual layer DVD's in all fo the install. Its going on like 2 hours or so. Hopefully it'll be worth it.

As for the cover art thing. Nothing will replace the way vinyl albums came. But the CD stuff is still fairly close. Tuna hunted for years researching a Slipknot album that was only pressed 100 copies and handed out at local shows in Des Moines. After a 3 year search and serial number check to validate it we found one with the complete booklet and everything intact. It was purchased to about $180. It now has a value nearing $500. My only beef is it doesn't smell of vinyl. Although he has now collected a few pieces of Slipknot and others on vinyl so I'll give him credit for that one.

But ya, I'm bored sitting here waiting for the install to finish.

Member
Since: Jan 24, 2006


Oct 20, 2007 10:58 am

Quote:
Maybe its the values my parents taught me


Putting that at the end turned good points into an attack you know.

I did appreciate the value of cover art of LP's but never on CD's, it's not worth it.

We'll have to agree to disagree I guess. I see no intrinsic value at all in owning a CD, it has no value like an antique or even a book might, it's a piece of plastic. Books, for example, I see differently, I want the book because reading it in that form is different. I have no argument with understanding the value of something (despite the bad values I was taught by my parents) but if the music is available for $20 per month unlimited then that becomes what it's worth. I would expect you don't offer to pay more for your groceries or your recording gear because it's somehow got more value right ?

The Eternal Student
Member
Since: Oct 08, 2005


Oct 20, 2007 12:16 pm

I, personally, hate coolecting extra junk, and IMO jewel cases are lumped into that category. I buy a cd, rip it to my compy, then the CDs go into giant slipcases and the jewel case gets forgotten or put in a huge stack that ends up in a rubbermaid in the closet...

Ne'er ate 'er
Member
Since: Apr 05, 2006


Oct 20, 2007 04:35 pm

I am so with Noize here. To me, it's a minor joy to sit down with an old ticky-and-poppy 50-year-old plastic LP and sniff the cardboard as I look at the liner notes.

God, I've turned into my father.

Medic!

Member
Since: Jan 24, 2006


Oct 20, 2007 05:32 pm

I'm not arguing what you do or what you teach others do, I'm arguing against the fact that someone who doesn't value a CD Jewel case somehow has poor values :(

Czar of Midi
Administrator
Since: Apr 04, 2002


Oct 20, 2007 06:10 pm

Ya, I guess I could have phrased it a bit differently. No attack meant there tony.

And no, that wasn't meant as that type of comment either tony. It is simply about parents need to pay attention to their kids and try and instill a little of a sense of value in them. For me it is as stated above and far beyond.

For you and your son it is the value of what the $20.00 a month can get him. So indeed, there we can simply agree to disagree. I think we both have the same kind of though line, just focused in a different direction.

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