Radiohead slaps record industry in face

zombie boy 2000
zombie boy 2000 Posts: 6,641
edited October 2007 in Music & Movies
Might be interesting...
http://www.zeropaid.com/news/9026/Radiohead+Shocks+Record+Industry+With+Free+Download+of+New+Album
I never had it like this where I grew up. But I send my kids here because the fact is you go to one of the best schools in the country: Rushmore. Now, for some of you it doesn't matter. You were born rich and you're going to stay rich. But here's my advice to the rest of you: Take dead aim on the rich boys. Get them in the crosshairs and take them down. Just remember, they can buy anything but they can't buy backbone. Don't let them forget it. Thank you.Herman Blume - Rushmore
Post edited by zombie boy 2000 on
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  • AsSiMiLaTeD
    AsSiMiLaTeD Posts: 11,728
    edited October 2007
    I think that's pretty rad...
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  • Demiurge
    Demiurge Posts: 10,874
    edited October 2007
    Well, how exactly does the "record industry" get slapped in the face because of this? The band is only potentially dicking themselves over by offering it free.
    The album will be available for download directly from its website beginning October 10th, and fans can choose to pay as little as 45 pence, about $1 USD, the credit card handling fees.

    Of course, I don't think they're dicking themselves over at all because I think they'll get much more money this way for the simple fact most of it will be coming directly to them rather than to all of the various middle men. That said, a big slice will definitely be going to whomever is managing the influx of web traffic and sales. Also, in addition to the free download, they are offering a tangible package for $80.00 that will include a CD, 2 Vinyls and a bunch of other swag.

    As a big fan of independent artists, I am also a very big fan of the of the free market capitalism behind it. Most stinky **** musician hippies don't even realize what they're doing while sticking it to the man, but it's at the core of deciding to cut out the biggest middle man, which is a major record label.

    Given enough success, these once small time artists will be hated just like Capital Records.

    So, yes, I do wish more bands would take the risk maximize their own profits by remaining independent, however most bands will never reach the level of stardom that Radiohead has if it wasn't for the mass marketing tools that major record labels provide.

    With the advent of the internet, and now social networking sites such as MySpace and YouTube the door is at least cracked open a little further for fledgling young bands who aren't being sniffed at by major labels. That said, still knowing how hard it truly is to make it, you can see why a band would "sell out" for album contracts and the guaranteed influx of cash it brings. The only problem is that most careers aren't sustained for long in this environment and dipping back to indie status is hard to do once you've been tainted by the man. The hipsters just won't take you seriously.

    Having traveled 10 hours to see Radiohead with my ex-girlfriend several years back and listening to Thom Yorke **** from the mouth about Clear Channel (whilst playing in a Clear Channel venue, mind you), I have a very hard time taking their sticking it to the man routine seriously. In fact, I find it dishonest. I think they truly believe rest of us are morons who don't know exactly what they're doing. I would be applauding them if they were just honest, but instead they're going to go with the same old tired schtick.

    In the end, it's far liklier this move will benefit their wallets far more than if they had stuck with a major label, especially given their current level of success gained behind the evil major labels.

    If you don't think the labels have an effect on the success of many bands like Radiohead, check out Clinic and tell me why they're not anywhere near as popular as Radiohead...
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  • zombie boy 2000
    zombie boy 2000 Posts: 6,641
    edited October 2007
    Tell me what you really think Demi:p

    And I happen to agree with you on some points. Most notably that this could be a shrewd business maneuver that will see more into their pockets than by sticking with a label.

    Otherwise, I think it's at least an original approach and I'll be curious to see how it plays out. I wonder if they'll make the album's "success" public knowledge? I imagine more than a fair share will still pay full retail value as way to support their favorite band.
    I never had it like this where I grew up. But I send my kids here because the fact is you go to one of the best schools in the country: Rushmore. Now, for some of you it doesn't matter. You were born rich and you're going to stay rich. But here's my advice to the rest of you: Take dead aim on the rich boys. Get them in the crosshairs and take them down. Just remember, they can buy anything but they can't buy backbone. Don't let them forget it. Thank you.Herman Blume - Rushmore
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  • Demiurge
    Demiurge Posts: 10,874
    edited October 2007
    I will! :p

    When they were bitching about Clear Channel in Clear Channel venues, I asked why they didn't take a real stand and simply not play Clear Channel venues. The answer was simple, they wanted the money. In the same thought, I wondered why they didn't pull off some Woodstock action and stick it to the man by offering a free concert in some sheep pasture if it was really just about the music. The answer was simple, they wanted the money without any of the hassle.

    If Radiohead wanted to really stick to their guns and offer a truly free album, they would just simply leak a high quality version of the album and let it make the rounds on it's own and be done with it. Instead, they're playing the heart stings of their fans by going with the we're sticking it to the man routine while conveniently giving the option for people to give them as much as they want for being the little guys getting out from under the corporate thumb. I mean, give me an mf'in' break here....

    It's cool as **** that bands are doing this, but please don't be fooled as if this is some great statement and slap in the face to the suits. These are not the little guys and they are going to end up making gobs of money off of this. If they don't, they're not really out anything -- everyone knows bands make their money on tour, Radiohead is no different.
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  • zombie boy 2000
    zombie boy 2000 Posts: 6,641
    edited October 2007
    Some food for thought...
    Would you still be as cynical if Weezer had announced this? Let's face it. It's not entirely out of the realm of possibility.
    I never had it like this where I grew up. But I send my kids here because the fact is you go to one of the best schools in the country: Rushmore. Now, for some of you it doesn't matter. You were born rich and you're going to stay rich. But here's my advice to the rest of you: Take dead aim on the rich boys. Get them in the crosshairs and take them down. Just remember, they can buy anything but they can't buy backbone. Don't let them forget it. Thank you.Herman Blume - Rushmore
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  • Demiurge
    Demiurge Posts: 10,874
    edited October 2007
    Yes, I'd be critical of ANY former major label band who did this. Most no-name bands can't give their music away. They want people to download their record for free...Think they can say "Hey, this is free and give us $100 if you want?" Sure, they can, but they aren't going to get ****. Radiohead has sold millions of albums. If 100,000 people throw them a $20 spot that's $2,000,000 for the band in almost pure profit. They'll have no trouble getting that with the fan base they have thanks in no small part to the major labels that threw a crapload of marketing dollars into the band and gave them access to state of the art studios and equipment.

    I'll give you another example, Tool, a "former" (Volcano II, owned by Sony/BMG, however their deal puts them in complete creative control) major label band I love quite a bit has been completely unashamed about making money for themselves instead of giving it to someone else.

    I respect honesty, not playing people for the fools most of us are, which is precisely what Radiohead is doing.
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  • AsSiMiLaTeD
    AsSiMiLaTeD Posts: 11,728
    edited October 2007
    I just like Radiohead's music...
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  • SolidSqual
    SolidSqual Posts: 5,218
    edited October 2007
    This is outstanding . . . time for eveyrbody to buy a good USB capable DAC.
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  • zombie boy 2000
    zombie boy 2000 Posts: 6,641
    edited October 2007
    Polkmaniac wrote: »
    I just like Radiohead's music...

    I do too. Well... with the exception of Pablo Honey:p
    I never had it like this where I grew up. But I send my kids here because the fact is you go to one of the best schools in the country: Rushmore. Now, for some of you it doesn't matter. You were born rich and you're going to stay rich. But here's my advice to the rest of you: Take dead aim on the rich boys. Get them in the crosshairs and take them down. Just remember, they can buy anything but they can't buy backbone. Don't let them forget it. Thank you.Herman Blume - Rushmore
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  • AsSiMiLaTeD
    AsSiMiLaTeD Posts: 11,728
    edited October 2007
    Pablo Honey is probably my least favorite, yet at the time it was Creep that turned me on to them in the first place. If i'd never heard Creep I doub't I'd have listened to them, and now it's on of my least favorites of theirs.
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  • zombie boy 2000
    zombie boy 2000 Posts: 6,641
    edited October 2007
    You probably would've taken notice of Fake Plastic Trees. That song was everywhere.
    I never had it like this where I grew up. But I send my kids here because the fact is you go to one of the best schools in the country: Rushmore. Now, for some of you it doesn't matter. You were born rich and you're going to stay rich. But here's my advice to the rest of you: Take dead aim on the rich boys. Get them in the crosshairs and take them down. Just remember, they can buy anything but they can't buy backbone. Don't let them forget it. Thank you.Herman Blume - Rushmore
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  • Demiurge
    Demiurge Posts: 10,874
    edited October 2007
    Oasis, Jamiroquai to follow Radiohead
    By Harry Wallop and Lucy Cockcroft ( :eek: )
    Last Updated: 2:29am BST 09/10/2007

    Some of the music industry’s biggest names are considering offering their music free online following the success of the experiment by the band Radiohead to let fans download their new album without charge.

    The band’s website topped the chart of music websites with an 11-fold increase in internet hits after the announcement, according to internet monitoring agency HitWise.

    Now Jamiroquai and Oasis, two major names that are not contracted to a record labels, are rumoured to be considering following Radiohead by offering work for free, according to industry sources.

    Radiohead refuse to reveal how many fans have pre-ordered their seventh album, In Rainbows, but figures from HitWise show the move pushed the site up from number 43 to the top slot for music websites in the UK.

    Google say that searches for Radiohead have increased tenfold this week as fans log on to the band’s site, with the majority – according to the band’s spokesman – spurning the opportunity to download the album for as little as 45 pence and instead signing up for the £40 box set, which includes vinyl records, CD and artwork

    The Charlatans are also offering fans their next album completely for free if they visit the site of radio station XFM.

    The performers that give away their music for free are expected to make their money from sales of concert tickets and merchandise.

    “They’ll all be thinking about it now,” said Stuart Clarke at Music Week. “Any big name that is out of contract such as Jamiroquai and Oasis will now see it as an option.”
    Oasis has already announced that its next single, Lord Don’t Slow Me Down, will be available only to download for 99 pence. Meanwhile rumours abound that Madness, a band with a loyal fanbase amongst 40-somethings, is considering giving away its next album for free.

    David Enthoven, founder of ie:music, Robbie Williams’s management company, said: “I think a lot could follow. You’ve got to be sure about your fan base but why would you sign your career away to a record label when CD sales are falling so rapidly?”

    While CD sales are falling dramatically, download sales have grown from zero in 2003, to 26.5 million in 2005 which then doubled last year to 53.0 million. However, according to the British Phonographic Industry, for every track that is paid for, twenty are downloaded illegally for free.

    Yesterday, Alan McGee, the manager of the Charlatans, said he was astonished by how popular the experiment was proving, even though fans were not yet able to download the album.

    “The record industry is obsessed by age and fashion. And so you get these amazing British bands like the Charlatans and the Happy Mondays that were massive 10 years ago and are still great, but are out of contract. How do you get them profile? You give away the record.”

    He said that the initial feedback had been so positive that the he was already considering booking larger venues for the band to play in when they tour next year. “This experiment is going to work, I feel,” he said, adding he was confident that merchandise and concert tickets will make up for giving away the free album for free.

    Link
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  • cstpeter
    cstpeter Posts: 387
    edited October 2007
    Oh man this album is so good. wow
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  • Demiurge
    Demiurge Posts: 10,874
    edited October 2007
    The only way you can get it is by downloading it right now, unless you preorder the box kit for ≈ $80.00 USD that won't start shipping until December.

    I forgot the check the bitrate on Tuesday, but it downloads as a .zip file.

    We value your custom. Pay us, please.
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  • Demiurge
    Demiurge Posts: 10,874
    edited October 2007
    Sona wrote: »
    Check the bitrate and let us know. How much did you pony up? Or did ya order the whole shebang and accept the download as a token of their affection?

    et merci pour la chanson Laisse Tombe Les Filles par France Gall
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  • zombie boy 2000
    zombie boy 2000 Posts: 6,641
    edited October 2007
    Couldn't have said it better myself. I don't have a single burned CD in the collection. There's something about thumbing thru all the albums at the local indie store that makes we wanna do a jig. And if it's the release date of a band I really like, then its tantamount to Christmas morning. The pagan ritual of driving to the store, snagging a minty fresh copy, struggling to free it from its plastic coccoon. The anticipation as you first fire it up.

    Downloading just don't do it for me. And it's not about the "quality".

    edit: And I read somewhere the bitrate is 320... whatever that means.
    I never had it like this where I grew up. But I send my kids here because the fact is you go to one of the best schools in the country: Rushmore. Now, for some of you it doesn't matter. You were born rich and you're going to stay rich. But here's my advice to the rest of you: Take dead aim on the rich boys. Get them in the crosshairs and take them down. Just remember, they can buy anything but they can't buy backbone. Don't let them forget it. Thank you.Herman Blume - Rushmore
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  • Demiurge
    Demiurge Posts: 10,874
    edited October 2007
    zombie boy 2000 wrote: »
    Couldn't have said it better myself. I don't have a single burned CD in the collection. There's something about thumbing thru all the albums at the local indie store that makes we wanna do a jig. And if it's the release date of a band I really like, then its tantamount to Christmas morning. The pagan ritual of driving to the store, snagging a minty fresh copy, struggling to free it from its plastic coccoon. The anticipation as you first fire it up.

    Downloading just don't do it for me. And it's not about the "quality".

    edit: And I read somewhere the bitrate is 320... whatever that means.

    The 320 bitrate is pretty good, and without getting into a debate, they say 320 is CD quality. Don't shoot the messenger, I don't feel it's "as good" either. :( However, they certainly aren't cheaping out with that bitrate, because it's a bigger file size that way.
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  • Face
    Face Posts: 14,340
    edited October 2007
    Bitrate is only 160k. :rolleyes:

    I'm glad I did download it though, I would have been pissed if I paid more than $4 for this.
    "He who fights with monsters should look to it that he himself does not become a monster. And when you gaze long into an abyss the abyss also gazes into you." Friedrich Nietzsche
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  • Demiurge
    Demiurge Posts: 10,874
    edited October 2007
    Ouch, I haven't had time to rip the thing to a CD and put it on my system yet. :o
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  • mhardy6647
    mhardy6647 Posts: 33,983
    edited October 2007
    http://www.audioasylum.com/audio/general/messages/49/496922.html
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  • Demiurge
    Demiurge Posts: 10,874
    edited October 2007
    I didn't think about it that way....double ouch.
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  • cstpeter
    cstpeter Posts: 387
    edited October 2007
    Face, are you disappointed by the music, not just the sound quality? I think the album itself is fantastic...can't stop listening to it.
    Von Schweikert VR4-jr
    Valve Audio Predator
    Denon DVD-2900
    PS Audio Digital Link III w/Cullen Level IV Mods
    Pro-Ject Xpression w/Blue Point No. 2
    Graham Slee Special Edition 2
    PS Audio UPC-200
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  • zombie boy 2000
    zombie boy 2000 Posts: 6,641
    edited October 2007
    cstpeter wrote: »
    Face, are you disappointed by the music, not just the sound quality? I think the album itself is fantastic...can't stop listening to it.

    That seems to be the general consensus at other places.
    I never had it like this where I grew up. But I send my kids here because the fact is you go to one of the best schools in the country: Rushmore. Now, for some of you it doesn't matter. You were born rich and you're going to stay rich. But here's my advice to the rest of you: Take dead aim on the rich boys. Get them in the crosshairs and take them down. Just remember, they can buy anything but they can't buy backbone. Don't let them forget it. Thank you.Herman Blume - Rushmore
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  • Demiurge
    Demiurge Posts: 10,874
    edited October 2007
    Through one listen, the album isn't their best work, and I would say the last 4 tracks are the only ones that I find all that good. :o
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  • Face
    Face Posts: 14,340
    edited October 2007
    The music. I haven't been a big fan of theirs for a few years now but thought I'd give them another try.
    "He who fights with monsters should look to it that he himself does not become a monster. And when you gaze long into an abyss the abyss also gazes into you." Friedrich Nietzsche
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  • LuSh
    LuSh Posts: 887
    edited October 2007
    After the first listen I thought this album was at least Kid-A's equal; now i feel the album is actually better top to bottom.

    I really like:

    All I Need (very Kid-Aish)
    House of Cards (great reverb use of bass)
    Weird Fishes
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  • Willow
    Willow Posts: 11,058
    edited October 2007
    http://ca.news.yahoo.com/s/reuters/071015/entertainment/entertainment_zeppelin_downloads_col
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