NIN & Radiohead
 

Any fans here? Opinions on them giving away their latest album? Opinions on NIN's "Ghosts"?

Opinions on the ever-changing record industry and the fact that more and more artists--established ones, anyway--are giving away their music, i.e. Radiohead and NIN?

ipollux: first, what are your thoughts?

I think it's great, though we're not quite at a point yet where it's a totally viable method for unknown artists.

One thing that I think we're going to see is that artists, like NIN, will be able to release more music of varying qualities and let the fans decide what's best. There are valid arguments both for and against this. Personally, I like the idea of artists just creating and releasing and letting listeners sift through it. Yes, that means the ratio of quality to crap will go down, but it also means that we'll be less likely to have undiscovered gems from artists.

I love radiohead.
And yes, their album was, conceivably, free (even though I paid).
And I love the new album.
But, I was a little dismayed when I saw that the cd version was released with additional tracks.

Yeah, Radiohead didn't exactly do it properly. Another issue with their release was that the mp3s weren't very good quality. It's a step though.

Reznor: Radiohead offering was insincere, industry is inept

aha, I thought maybe that was just me...I have noticed that

I agree that it's not viable for unknown artists yet. However, I know that NIN and Radiohead both made money from their ventures through taking donations and offering special deluxe editions that hardcore fans. Though, of course, unknown artists are going to have few hardcore fans that would buy such.

I think the Internet and file-sharing is evolving so fast that the record industry can't keep up, and no one's really sure where it will eventually lead. But anytime I can get something free, I don't complain.

I'd say that's debatable. There aren't any unknown artists who've done it successfully yet, but that isn't to say it can't be done. It simply requires one to look at music as information, rather than property. If one takes that approach, one can hypothetically devise a way to distribute their information freely while creating revenue through tangential methods.

The bottom line (and I've said this many a time before) is that digital distribution is the new record store. You can't fight it, so you just have to adapt to it. Piracy is always going to be an issue; after all, Reznor released The Slip for free and it's still on bittorrent networks. It's getting to the point where actually charging people money for your music is going to be a losing proposition in the near future. That means that people have to find other ways to make money off of music, but I'm certain that will happen. Never underestimate the ingenuity of someone looking to make a fortune in a new marketplace.

I would argue that Jonathan Coulton has become a rather successful musician and he started out giving everything away for free. He may not be on the tip of everyone's tongues, but he sells out shows everywhere he goes.

i've soured on NIN....to my ear, Reznor just keeps reimagining the same album over and over again. everything he puts out sounds straight-up early 90's to me.

In Rainbows is very good but not up there with OK Computer.

I went out and bought the Ghost CD, after downloading the first one, I'm not really feeling it.. I also bought Year Zero, and having some difficulties enjoying that..

I think Reznor should go back to helping Jakalope IMO =S

Part of me says "music should be free, baby!" But, how do the artists support themselves in that case? I suppose live performances (and those pesky, high-priced t-shirt sales) could make up for it.

I applaud Radiohead and NIN for doing something that no one else has: embracing the new media. CDs are dead. The internet and surprisingly enough, vinyl, are where it's at.

I can't say I'm a nails fan, but I do like some of Reznor's work. I'm more of a Radiohead fan, however. I've downloaded their new album, but haven;t given it my full attention as yet. When I do, and if I like it (which i'm pretty sure I will), i'll give them some money for their work. That's how I handle music. I get the sound however I get it, I devote the proper time to listen to it and I pay for it if I like it.

BTW, I'm scheduled to see Radiohead in Toronto in a couple weeks. I can't wait! :) (and yes, I'll be buying a t-shirt.)

Speaking of Radiohead:

I've been majorly feeling this cover for the past few days.