Tuesday, October 02, 2007

Radiohead Release Digital Album.... for nothing

Radiohead Shocks Record Industry With Free Download of New Album : "In Rainbows", telling fans that they can pay as much or as little as they want for the band's new album. Newly freed from the shackles of a recording industry contract, the famed UK band Radiohead has decided to buck the system and offer its new album "In Rainbows" directly to fans at whatever price they feel like paying.

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 fee. It's their first release since 2003's "Hail to the Thief," the last album required under its recording contract with the EMI/Capitol records label

On its surface it may not sound like too big of a deal, I mean offering an album directly to consumers for download isn't exactly groundbreaking, but when you stop to consider that Radiohead is a big name talent with tons of album sales, fans, and music awards under their belt it really gives moment for pause and makes you realize that this is indeed a revolutionary development in the music industry.

Also, what's interesting to point out is that an artist only makes about $1 USD per each $16.98 USD retail album he sells right now anyways, and I'm certain many will opt to pay at least this much if not more. For all intents and purposes it's actually possible that they will make more money selling "In Rainbows" directly to consumers than they would have otherwise. It's hard to fathom that the record industry makes a big stink about how piracy leads to "starving artists" when it gives a measly dollar to them while it consumes the other sixteen. Day one of the revolution. The way we see hear and consume music has now changed forever, and begs the question, is it for the better or worse.

READ MORE: Zeropaid.com







4 comments:

Anonymous said...

hmm interesting indeed!@ :)

i like the way this sounds
im sure they have plenty of moneya nd arent too fussed if they make tons or not from this album since
theyrre hardly gonna starve if no one pays...

but looking at that pie chart

if they are going independant in making the album then i would imagine mostg of the costs arent needed. ei: label profit, signing act, royalties, marketing a d advertising (not really needed since theyre such a large band)

it might very well work for such a big band like this that doesnt need any introduction
but would it work for a small band? i think not
but... if they can get their stuff on the internet for consumers they can get the exposure to head in that direction i suppose???

its an interesting idea indeed
im curious to see how itll work
and im sure theyve done their homework too
!!

SHAUN FOX said...

yeh i recon it will be a success for them, mainly because of their fanbase being loyal and appreciative enough to support them and quality music.

succeed or fail i just love the "finger in the air" approach. in time this will be the mode for music release and the labels will just keep churning out the latest pop tv idol crossover hit album pile o doggie doo lol.

now 2 figures that grab me, a 45% retail markup, and production costs of 75c ? not even worth the plastic case they deliver them in is it?

S.


PST ... Alec > RATM!

Anonymous said...

omg omg omg omg ogmogmgwdoghaiu981
@!#!#$

heeh yea i know!! how killer is that?!! i cant wait!

RATM that is :D

SHAUN FOX said...

fist in the air, in the land of hypocrisy .....