Radiohead's new album costs whatever you want

[Dannthr]

Radiohead's new album, IN RAINBOWS, is on preorder and when you check out (the download version), you type in your own price.

You can pay as little or as much as you want.

http://www.radiohead.com/


Seems like a radical approach to the fact that the industry's standby commercial model isn't really working anymore. People will take it for free anyway, why bother using force on them with silly DRM? Let the fans pay what they feel its worth.

I don't know what it is about it, but I like it--it makes me want to pay like... 20 bucks or something for it.

[loydb]

I'm not a huge Radiohead fan, but I'm going to kick them $10 for it just on principle.

[nikolas]

Yup! Saw it already, I love Radiohead, and will buy the boxed version 99%... (in the meantime will download the album to listen to it, until I get the box)

Kudos, and at last a band which thinks for themselves.

Good luck to them!

[DallasComposer]

... several record executives admitted that, despite the rumors, they were stunned. "This feels like yet another death knell," emailed an A&R executive at a major European label. "If the best band in the world doesn't want a part of us, I'm not sure what's left for this business."

Radiohead rocks!

http://www.greenplastic.com/

[Counterpoint]

That's an interesting move, I hope their sales do well.

I've noticed a few mainstream artists taking the "customer decides how much to pay" approach.

Conceptually it's not too different from busking... people can listen for free or they can leave money in your hat. ;)

Cheers.

- Matt

[Stefan Podell]

Not that she's at the same level as Radiohead, but Issa (nee Jane Siberry) started a similar thing a while back: https://www.sheeba.ca/store/letterSDP.php

[Erik Wietzel]

Yes, great.
They can afford to do it *now*. They're rich, aren't they ? It's easier to kick in the ass of the system when you had plenty of time to benefit from it.
What would impress me would be they give away the royalties of all the current albums or uses in TV adds, whatever.
An interesting move, anyway. :cool:

[nikolas]

And somehow it bothers you that they did something like this, right?

God people never are pleased are they?

Would you prefer they sold the album?

Can't stand such *u** **i* really!

Is there something wrong with being good to what you do, and earning money out of it?:mad:

[Erik Wietzel]

And somehow it bothers you that they did something like this, right?

God people never are pleased are they?

Would you prefer they sold the album?

Can't stand such *u** **i* really!

Is there something wrong with being good to what you do, and earning money out of it?:mad:

Oh no Nikolas, it doesn't bother at all ! :)May be you misunderstand me. I've been surprised to read in the press that it was some act of resistance from Radiohead, you know, like they were being brave or something to stand againt the Majors. And I wan't seeing any bravery in doing such a move when you have so little to lose. Interesting, but not courageous. Just have to watch that documentary shot during Ok Computer tour to understand how much York hated the Major, or the way he had to deal with their will. Besides,we all know that this p2p thing is mostly killing *little* people - musicians, technicians as well as employees in the bizz. Not the Big ones. Have nothing against success. Oh no ! And I do like Radiohead's music. A lot. And what would bother me, if any, would be having the choice between Mp3 OR a pricey box

[nikolas]

You think they have so little to lose? do you really think that it's guaranted that people will actually pay for the mp3s?

See everyone is thinking like you. "yeah, they're big, there's nothing to lose". And then pay nothing. You said yourself "no bravery in having so little to lose."

what does courage have to do with such a move?

At last someone big did it. and others are following! Others have done it before, but the promotional move is done by Radiohead who are the first huge band to do that. NIN seem to be following (Treznor that is), and others as well.

You are being offer LEGALLY the choice of medium-high quality mp3s, from the band itsefl, and officially they are asking nothing in return. They also sell a boxset (which I plan on buying once I get some bloody money), and somehow this choice is bothering you? Why? what would YOU do? I guess these big ones, don't have to make money anymore. They should release all the songs in WAV (as some people are complaining), and then have total faith in humanity...

BTW, AFAIK the ordinary CD will be out in January, so you will be pleased to know that you can get the normal CD.

But, your post did seem to be like you were bothered...

[Erik Wietzel]

You think they have so little to lose? do you really think that it's guaranted that people will actually pay for the mp3s?

See everyone is thinking like you. "yeah, they're big, there's nothing to lose". And then pay nothing. You said yourself "no bravery in having so little to lose."

what does courage have to do with such a move?

At last someone big did it. and others are following! Others have done it before, but the promotional move is done by Radiohead who are the first huge band to do that. NIN seem to be following (Treznor that is), and others as well.

You are being offer LEGALLY the choice of medium-high quality mp3s, from the band itsefl, and officially they are asking nothing in return. They also sell a boxset (which I plan on buying once I get some bloody money), and somehow this choice is bothering you? Why? what would YOU do? I guess these big ones, don't have to make money anymore. They should release all the songs in WAV (as some people are complaining), and then have total faith in humanity...

BTW, AFAIK the ordinary CD will be out in January, so you will be pleased to know that you can get the normal CD.

But, your post did seem to be like you were bothered...

Ou là là ! I didn't want to get into an argument here ! No, not bothered by Radiohead or any musician really. Forget it :)
BTW, great to know they'll make it on a cd, thanx for the news Nikolas.