Unless you live in an information-age cave, you've probably heard that Radiohead has released their latest record, In Rainbows, completely free from a label, only on their website, and with giving you the ability to choose how much YOU want to pay for the right to download it.
I've never been a big Radiohead fan, but this idea is something I wish EVERY BAND adopted, mainly because they rarely see alot of money from cd sales and downloads, they get more cash from merch sales at shows, which more kids would be able to go to if they had easier access to the bands music.
Think about it.
anyway, I haven't been able to download the cd yet, but I'll tell you what I think of it when I do, and maybe try for yourself.
Go here.
Love and kisses.
UPDATE: I downloaded it and am currently listening to it. Without having a background to compare it with any review would be unsatisfactory, but I have to say it's pretty rocking for a band I often get mixed up with Pink floyd.
October 20, 2007
Radiohead.
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16 comments:
This truly going to change the way the record industry runs... It's been changing quite a bit lately anyways, but this is huge. Unfortunately, this particular business model won't work for most smaller bands, but it's a step in the right direction.
With this, all the bogus record label stuff is eliminated, and the band distributes directly to fans; effectively eliminating the need for a label.
Radiohead made $10 million in one week without making a single CD... No packaging, duplication, or shipping costs... All money straight into their pockets.
The tide is turning, and artists are finally beginning to be able to survive on their own and actually make a profit from their creations.
Mark my words; in ten years there won't be a single record label in business. Publishing companies? Yes. But no more record labels. What a great day that will be.
Yeah, I definitely don't suggest smaller bands offering their music for free, unless it's just demos or rough cuts. But with the advent of Snocap on Myspace and also with iTunes allowing you to put your own music up, it's alot easier for young bands to get in on the ground level of the industry without needing a label.
I think, however, that many small independent labels will stick around, we will just see a sharp decline in major label support.
I don't see how Radiohead made any money off of this though, considering I downloaded the record for free and I'm sure alot of people did too. I'm guessing sales of the disc format preorders?
The whole idea was you to make a donation for the music. Whatever you thought it was worth, you pay for it. Seems like the average price people paid was 8$ ... which really doesn't sound that bad.
Well I thought it was worth zero dollars.
Does that make me a bad person?
I agree with small indie labels being around for a while longer, but eventually I think they will be transformed into something a little different than traditional "record labels". I'm not sure exactly what that is yet, but the role of label is definitely going to change.
Digital music is much more efficient than physical mediums, especially with Best Buy (and many other stores) announcing that they are cutting their floor space dedicated to music in half. How many times have you gone to a store and not found what you're looking for? Way too many. Go to say, iTunes, and you get the album you want instantly and for a few bucks cheaper. It's simply a much better and cost-effective system, putting more money into the hands of the artist.
And the reason Radiohead made so much many is that, yeah, they are a pretty popular band. A much smaller band with a much smaller audience would not be able to survive on the same system. But it is spurring change in the music industry; changes that frankly should have happened years ago.
My music business professor said earlier this week that "signing to a major label is probably the most foolish thing a band could do right now". I think its absolutely true. Look at Copeland.
Anberlin, you're next...
XD
The point of view that the guys of anberlin have is like: "we have the potential to be a band that is gonna sell 3-4 millions world wide."
Is true. They can sell millions, win MTV's Awards, Teen's Choice Awards, American Music Awards, have a theme song in a MTV reality show and play on SNL with Lindsay Lohan as guest.
That's what they showed to us making Cities and making a deal with Universal.
Keep going boys!!
Music shouldn't be about the money, it should be about doing what you love, the money comes after that.
And Anberlin got more mainstream radio play with Never Take Friendship Personal.
I say we take a stand and keep Anberlin off the top of our Last.FM charts.
Honestly, I really don't want them to fail. I like Anberlin but I think they are walking right into a trap. I can guarantee they will never sell 3-4 million albums, that is an absolutely astonishing accommplishment, and nearly impossible considering the state the entire record industry is in.
And if I ever see them on SNL with Lindsay Lohan, I will throw up. Its not that I don't want to see these guys succeed, but that would be to much.
Unfortunately, the odds are stacked against Anberlin on this.
On the flipside, I said the same thing about Relient K when they signed to Capitol and they are doing quite well; so you never know I guess.
I would love to see major labels take a decline. Just cut the middle man out yaknow? But I would hate to see music go strictly digital. It's one thing to have the convenience of downloading music right off of the internet, but for me theirs something about owning the physical, hardcopy of an artists work that just makes it a thousand time better. Things like artwork, official lyrics, the thank you section haha, all on top of the music itself...just makes it more personal.
im old fashioned. id rather see best buy double their floor space for music. i love bringing the hard copy home and checking out the artwork.
also, consider rare cds. nowadays people can go on iTunes and download rare stuff, but to everyone who has the hard copies, its kind of lame cause you know everyone can get what you have now. whatever.
Getting back to the topic at hand, I'm a rabid Radiohead fan. I have everything they've ever done including "In Rainbows," which is fantastic.
OH WORD?
iTunes is overrated. I enjoy buying the actual records and I rarely download unless a band offers a song and/or an album for free (Derek Webb and Havalina are perfect examples). Also, iTunes can sometimes be out of a best-selling CD, thus forcing you to go to those "old fashioned" record stores. Seriously, buying the actual album has a more personal appeal than downloading.
I also find something special about buy your own disc ... the lyrics, the art, I dunno. Plus it just more fun to show your fiends "Wow look at this cool new and that I got! Aren't they awesome?" Then just having them listen to them on winamp ... its just a little less personal ...
and yes, I do own a mp3player :)
I agree with the personal aspect of buying the physical disc. But I mean after the first month, how often do your cases with artwork and stuff sit on the shelf and collect dust? I am slowly doing more and more online purchasing, but if an artist is offering something really cool with their packaging (like the last Tool album for example), I have no problem driving to Best Buy to get it.
It's just that most cover art is lousy and offers no more than just that; something to look at. Where's the value in that? Why should I waste my gas money and a few extra dollars to get a plastic case with a little booklet with crappy art and a small list of thank yous? Like I said, there's no value in that. Do something innovative, or interesting, at least, and I will spend the extra money to get the physical copy. If not, its iTunes for me.
There is also a really cool service called Rhapsody that I am subscribed to where you pay $10 a month and get unlimited access to a huge database of high-quality streaming music. Why would I go to Best Buy and drop $12 for a Queens of the Stone Age album when I can go on to Rhapsody and listen to their whole back catalog, as well as huge number of other artists, for a few dollars less.
The answer is value. We, as consumers, should want that. If I'm going to spend my money that I worked for on a CD, I shouldn't have to pay $12 dollars for 10 songs. I should get bonus video content, a few B-sides, and killer artwork. Then, I will have no problem spending $12.
I used to buy cds. But thanks to Brandon's dearth (look it up) of decent record stores that carry stuff that isn't on the Top 40s, and my recent newfound love of old emo and post-hardcore, I've taken up to downloading.
On occasion I'll buy a cd if it's a band I love.
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