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OK, Computer: Let’s Download Some Radiohead
I’m with most people, I think, when I say that Radiohead’s move to sell their latest CD online at pay-what-you-want pricing is possibly the coolest musical moment since … well, in Radiohead’s anarchic spirit, whatever you thought was a previously cool moment.
For some perspective, check out Melena Ryzik’s insightful analysis in the New York Times:
In fact, Radiohead’s move is as much an experiment in consumer behavior and the socially acceptable cost of art as it is a way to distribute records. Each donation is a sort of commentary: on the nature of fandom and band loyalty, on the indier-than-thou current rock scene, and on the worth of buying — not sampling or stealing — new music.
I guess that’s what you calling tapping the zeitgeist.
Posted at 11:10 AM | Permalink | | 
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October 5, 2007 at 1:29 pm
Now if we can only lower the interchange fee that you must pay when purchasing the album.
You can run far far away from the music industry but can never get away from Visa and MasterCard and their unfair credit card fees. Will you join our fight?
October 5, 2007 at 3:43 pm
This whole issue of what music/art is worth is a deep one. Particularly in the digital medium where infinite numbers of copies can be made essentially for free. Why not let fans pay whatever they want, as long as they pay something?
I’ve actually co-founded a site called SongSlide that lets independent musicians sell their music and lets fans pick the price they pay. Any band can do what Radiohead is doing - it works. http://www.songslide.com
November 1, 2007 at 12:57 pm
I haven’t really seen my perspective on the release talked about in the the media. I’m as peeved about the music industries mishandling of the market as the next guy, but it’s a bit of a bummer to see record stores, especially indie ones that have fought long and hard to sustain the public’s interest in the art, cut out of the deal like unnecessary middlemen. I think it is still important that there is somewhere in town where someone can go to peruse CDs by hand and talk to some know-it-all clerk who has sorted through the weeks new releases to give you a thumbs up or down. Radiohead is saying “fuck you” to the industry, in both it’s positive and negative attributes.
So I didn’t even want to have my voice counted among those who supported the concept. Instead I’ve downloaded all the tracks off music blogs (which probably took only twice as long as going to the site) and took it for free, like so many leaked titles. Then I’ll actually go out to the store and buy an old-fashioned hard copy when it comes out. Besides, the bit rate is a turn-off for me and the “official” release is said to have to “bonus tracks” as well. That’s what I want, why pay twice? Radiohead fans are suckers.
November 1, 2007 at 12:58 pm
I haven’t really seen my perspective on the release talked about in the the media. I’m as peeved about the music industries mishandling of the market as the next guy, but it’s a bit of a bummer to see record stores, especially indie ones that have fought long and hard to sustain the public’s interest in the art, cut out of the deal like unnecessary middlemen. I think it is still important that there is somewhere in town where someone can go to peruse CDs by hand and talk to some know-it-all clerk who has sorted through the weeks new releases to give you a thumbs up or down. Radiohead is saying “fuck you” to the industry, in both it’s positive and negative attributes.
So I didn’t even want to have my voice counted among those who supported the concept. Instead I’ve downloaded all the tracks off music blogs (which probably took only twice as long as going to the site) and took it for free, like so many leaked titles. Then I’ll actually go out to the store and buy an old-fashioned hard copy when it comes out. Besides, the bit rate is a turn-off for me and the “official” release is said to have to “bonus tracks” as well. That’s what I want, why pay twice? Radiohead fans are suckers.