In Rainbows is a great success, but I personally believe that Radiohead–or anybody as successful (which leaves few)– is the only band that could pull this off. If any other musical artist uses the same strategy I think that it will give the listener a justified reason to download for free. Listeners want originality, something fresh, don’t you think the same gimmick would bore the listener? It would be kind of like Ok Go putting out another music video of them dancing. Yes, you got our attention. Nice. Now show us your music. The same with Sufjan. Fifty States, wow, I have hear this. Michael Jackson, hey, didn’t he molest the Home Alone kid?
The bottom line: It worked for Radiohead, but, honestly, it’s not going to break the record industry. If the listener wants a new album they’ll get it (for whatever price they want).
Agree?
3 Comments
October 18, 2007 at 6:31 pm
radiohead will probably be the only folks to be able to do this in such great numbers. but i’m sure if another large band tried, they could have some success.. like the chili peppers, their fan base is rather high, especially in europe, if they released a cd over the internet for free-infinity $ then it would sell like year old cat calenders at goodwill. i agree that it wont ever break the record industry though. People love gimmicks and if bands use it to sell cds it’s going to work, like that one band that i dont especially care for, system of a down, with their double album being released back to back… hey they sold 2 cd’s for the price of TWO cd’s they got double the money because people thought it was different than a 2 disc album because they were getting two different release dates… like grind house, releasing the dvds a week apart, they just made twice the money….
anyway, i tihnk it’s going to be interesting to see how our music lists compare this year. they were pretty different last year.
October 18, 2007 at 8:41 pm
Kind of like tooth and nail records. Almost half the bands release deluxe editions of their old cd; the only difference being a couple instrumental tracks.
Also, it’s nice to know that your money is actually going to the artist, not the label. I think that is probably the biggest thing–for me at least–to know the fans are supporting their favorite bands.
October 24, 2007 at 2:09 am
yeah i agree.