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(Rutland Herald)   A third of the people offered Radiohead what their new album is worth. $0   (rutlandherald.com) divider line
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22679 clicks; posted to Main » and Music » on 15 Oct 2007 at 1:53 PM (15 years ago)   |   Favorite    |   share:  Share on Twitter share via Email Share on Facebook



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Beatle_Matt
2007-10-15 10:36:00 AM  
Actually, subby, the new album is pretty damn good (and that's from someone who got off the train after "Amnesiac")
 
soledsoled
2007-10-15 11:05:13 AM  
I agree, cept I didn't get off the train. Instead I rode it, rode it hard.
 
NikolaiFarkoff [TotalFark]
2007-10-15 11:13:55 AM  
I bet they still clear more dinero than if they had distributed it traditionally.
 
strangeguitar
2007-10-15 11:18:00 AM  
I'm not a fan really, but I heard 4 songs from it.
It's pretty good.
 
Julieahni
2007-10-15 11:18:28 AM  
I never pay attention to anything published by the Herlad.
 
cheshirecatsmileyface
2007-10-15 11:18:40 AM  
After Radiohead announced it would allow fans to download its album for whatever price they chose, about a third of the first million or so downloads paid nothing, according to a British survey. But many paid more than $20. The average price was about $8. That is, people paid for something they could get for free.
So what? Sounds like a lot of people still paid them.
 
SherKhan
2007-10-15 11:23:12 AM  
NikolaiFarkoff:

I bet they still clear more dinero than if they had distributed it traditionally.

I bet that's the same bet that Radiohead is making.

tbn0.google.com
 
amazing_live_seamonkeys
2007-10-15 11:37:16 AM  
People still pay for music? That's as dumb as paying for internet pr0ns.

Paying for concerts and shows makes sense (pr0n or otherwise).
 
NakedReporta
2007-10-15 11:38:13 AM  
The average price was about $8.

If that's true, then they made out better than they would've under a traditional contract with a label.

/their best album since OK Computer
//paid $82 -- got the discbox
 
SherKhan
2007-10-15 11:42:33 AM  
NakedReporta:

//paid $82 -- got the discbox

$82? At that price it better include a blow-job from a really cute groupie or something.
 
NakedReporta
2007-10-15 11:45:16 AM  
OK, I just RTFA.

What Mr. Porter fails to account for is that many people are willing to give Radiohead money for what could be a free download not only because they want the band to benefit, but also because they want to support this new economic model for music. People are tired of the current economic model, the one where the main beneficiaries are the record labels and the RIAA.

Since Radiohead announced they would do this, other bands currently out of label deals like Oasis and NIN have said they will attempt similar models. If this becomes a trend, the labels will need to respond to this by either reducing CD prices and taking a more tolerant approach to downloading, or become extinct like the dinosaurs they increasingly look to be.
 
NikolaiFarkoff [TotalFark]
2007-10-15 11:48:02 AM  
I honestly think that there's a lot of novelty effect at work here. If more and more bands started doing this, I bet you see the average "donation" go down pretty quickly as people start taking it for granted and treating it like the old days of free (illegal) downloads. Then it might again be better for the bands to go through the record label...especially those that don't tour.

Perhaps we're just on a giant, 50-year cycle from one business model to the other.
 
You_mean_Im_gonna_stay_this_color
2007-10-15 11:58:53 AM  
It's a pretty good album.

There is another British album released days after and I find to be more enjoyable:
a166.ac-images.myspacecdn.comView Full Size
Link (new window)
 
AaaPha
2007-10-15 12:02:49 PM  
NikolaiFarkoff: I bet you see the average "donation" go down pretty quickly as people start taking it for granted and treating it like the old days of free (illegal) downloads.

Depends on a couple of things. I highly doubt everyone's going to go for the name-your-price model, I think Radiohead did that as a finger to the industry, (or at least to appear that way), but the prices will be a lot lower if you buy direct from the band. The other thing is if bands start distributing stuff in FLAC or very high quality format-of-your-choice it's going to be well worth paying a fiver isn't it? I still think Radiohead shot themselves in the foot a bit by releasing In Rainbows in 160 kbps mp3. I don't wanna start an audiophile snobwar here, but I really don't want this to end up with medium-quality mp3s being the only way you can get music.
 
Godscrack
2007-10-15 12:10:59 PM  
Critics blow. I'll decide if I like it after I hear it.
Once Radiohead fix their buy page, I will get a copy
 
RocketRod
2007-10-15 12:31:08 PM  
Let's wait to see who the idiot'll be who pays MORE than the album is worth.
 
absoluteparanoia
2007-10-15 12:43:27 PM  
NakedReporta: OK, I just RTFA.

What Mr. Porter fails to account for is that many people are willing to give Radiohead money for what could be a free download not only because they want the band to benefit, but also because they want to support this new economic model for music.

Apparently you didn't read the article then. Did you?

From TFA: Some economists suspect that what is going on is that people get a kick from the act of giving the band money for the album rather than taking it for free. It could take many forms, like pleasure at being able to bypass the record labels, which many see as only slightly worse than the military-industrial complex. It could come from the notion that the $8 helps keep Radiohead in business. Or it could make fans feel that they are helping create a new art form - or a new economy
 
Atvar
2007-10-15 12:44:11 PM  
RocketRod: Let's wait to see who the idiot'll be who pays MORE than the album is worth.

Worth is relative. To someone, it might be worth $40. For me, it's worth nothing, since I'm not a music fan. I'll listen to something, but I don't buy albums based on a name.
 
SoxSweepAgain
2007-10-15 12:45:51 PM  
subby is a fool. The album is awesome, just like Radiohead.

Love it.
 
albo
2007-10-15 1:25:48 PM  
who cares who didn't pay? with an $8 average, that's $9.6 million directly to the band.
genius
 
The Amazing Chuy
2007-10-15 1:52:35 PM  
I'm not a Radiohead fan, but i have the utmost respect for what they've done.

And i Hope Trent Reznor follows suit shortly.
 
mekkab [TotalFark]
2007-10-15 1:53:46 PM  
I will be downloading it for free. And if I likey-likey I'll find some way to give the band money.

Try Before You Buy.

/Perhaps I'll mail 'em a fiver.
 
czarangelus
2007-10-15 1:56:54 PM  
This is the internet. Everything is free! Music, movies, comic books, video games... if it can be digitized, it can be found for free.
 
Barnstormer
2007-10-15 1:57:05 PM  
Now if they can only do this for other types of head...
 
mkriss5681
2007-10-15 1:58:11 PM  
I admit I was cheap and didn't pay for it but I love the new album. The fact that 2/3 of people did pay is pretty amazing.
 
Sunny Ray
2007-10-15 1:58:15 PM  
The young "music lovers" that consistently steal music are doing themselves and the artists that make the music a disfavor. You will never have old school bands to love and cherish. Your loss.
 
Jamdug!
2007-10-15 1:58:27 PM  
What exactly does the discbox offer other than a bonus disc? I haven't heard a peep about it.
 
SomeCapn
2007-10-15 1:58:46 PM  
Anyone got a link to a zero dollar one?

Really hate to steal it, you know.
 
tweekster
2007-10-15 1:58:49 PM  
I still used bittorrent to download it.
 
czarangelus
2007-10-15 1:59:32 PM  
Sunny Ray: The young "music lovers" that consistently steal music are doing themselves and the artists that make the music a disfavor. You will never have old school bands to love and cherish. Your loss.

Sorry, I was at an Immortal Technique concert at the Catalyst and he specifically told us to steal his album. His only stipulation was that it must be played loudly.
 
Kesa
2007-10-15 1:59:51 PM  
There are also potentially the people that aren't familiar with the band, but downloaded it for free since they could. If they like the band, then they have gained new fans, who might in turn purchase from them in the future.
 
tweekster
2007-10-15 2:00:15 PM  
Sunny Ray: The young "music lovers" that consistently steal music are doing themselves and the artists that make the music a disfavor. You will never have old school bands to love and cherish. Your loss.

That only impacts their ability to release music when they are over the hill. The current crop of tunes will become classics, but we will never have to put up with their "And this is something off our new album" at concerts. WIN
 
CatJumpJohn
2007-10-15 2:00:43 PM  
I think that Radiohead are the first band since the Beatles to deserve their incredibly well-received status; they're just damned good. Seriously. Really bold and fantastic stuff, for the most part.

I'll gladly give 'em $10 for this album.
 
Senor Revington
2007-10-15 2:00:50 PM  
Can I buy it and enter -$15? I'll listen to this album if they pay me.
 
I Like Bread
2007-10-15 2:00:52 PM  
mekkab: Try Before You Buy.

What a novel idea. If only there were some sort of medium allowing the public to sample pieces of music from various groups, so that they might decide if an album is worth buying.
 
nikilds
2007-10-15 2:01:10 PM  
umm, if any of you want to buy it and offer radiohead a "fair" price ... just know there's 7 songs on it so i wouldnt give them 30 bucks or anything.
 
Rational Exuberance
2007-10-15 2:01:12 PM  
Atvar: RocketRod: Let's wait to see who the idiot'll be who pays MORE than the album is worth.

Worth is relative. To someone, it might be worth $40. For me, it's worth nothing, since I'm not a music fan. I'll listen to something, but I don't buy albums based on a name.

It certainly is, but we drastically undervalue things. Remember the outrage when the vending machines were experimenting with raising prices for soda on a hot day? It actually makes perfect sense - you value the soda more when it is hot outside. But it still pissed people off, because they think (or more accurately, "feel") like they are being ripped off.
 
Sunny Ray
2007-10-15 2:02:06 PM  
czarangelus: Sunny Ray: The young "music lovers" that consistently steal music are doing themselves and the artists that make the music a disfavor. You will never have old school bands to love and cherish. Your loss.

Sorry, I was at an Immortal Technique concert at the Catalyst and he specifically told us to steal his album. His only stipulation was that it must be played loudly.

I'm sure we will we all being hearing "Immortal Technique" for generations to come. Maybe I was wrong in my assertion. Just the other day, I was thinking "Immortal Technique" is probably this generation's Beatles.
 
felixecho
2007-10-15 2:02:10 PM  
I paid around $10 for it. It is pretty much what I consider fair for a cd. I like it. But then, I love Radiohead.
 
Jed E3
2007-10-15 2:02:36 PM  
I heard at the $250 pledge level Thom Yorke will point both of his eyes in your direction... at the same time!
 
Vanetia
2007-10-15 2:02:59 PM  
Even if half of the people downloading the music didn't pay, I think Radiohead would have still made more this way than through a label.

They're getting an average of 8 bucks an album as opposed to what? 2 cents?

Cue pic of RIAA guy pissing on the artists.
 
Nightmaretony
2007-10-15 2:03:00 PM  
If there is a preview songs, will want to take a look in there. That si why I like Projekt, they give away their band mp3s as samplers. They also got me spending over a hundred bucks in CDs from them.
 
Three legged dog
2007-10-15 2:03:46 PM  
czarangelus: This is the internet. Everything is free! Music, movies, comic books, video games... if it can be digitized, it can be found for free.

This

Well except for maybe that

aura.zaadz.comView Full Size
 
BobNesta420
2007-10-15 2:04:09 PM  
I really don't get the Radiohead fixation. I've tried and tried to listen to them, but Thom Yorke's whiney voice makes me want to stab my eardrums.
 
Ed Finnerty
2007-10-15 2:04:13 PM  
How much would the band make directly if they had released via traditional means?

Sounds like they've made more with this model than with the antiquated one.

/Have yet to download (and pay) for it.
 
DavidKirkBeale
2007-10-15 2:04:13 PM  
Isn't the author forgetting that there's a processing charge on the page? or is that completely bypassed if you choose 0 as your price? They tag a 45p charge (about $1 US) to any credit card purchase so thats guaranteed money for the bandwidth usage at least. But if you choose 0 and they bypass it, then my argument's shot.


/paid $8 to support this no-middleman effort
//downloaded all their other albums for free, so they deserve some of my $$$
///listening now, one of the best albums of the year, House of Cards FTW
 
Squidgilum
2007-10-15 2:04:21 PM  
You're a generation of plunderers! In my day we paid for our music!

Get off my lawn!
 
jaylectricity [TotalFark]
2007-10-15 2:05:01 PM  
NikolaiFarkoff: I honestly think that there's a lot of novelty effect at work here. If more and more bands started doing this, I bet you see the average "donation" go down pretty quickly as people start taking it for granted and treating it like the old days of free (illegal) downloads. Then it might again be better for the bands to go through the record label...especially those that don't tour.

Perhaps we're just on a giant, 50-year cycle from one business model to the other.


I agree with this but after the "novelty" goes away, the bands won't be saying, "choose your price" anymore. Right now they are doing that to get a feel for the market.

After that they will probably settle on a good price that is reasonable for the customer and still makes money for the band.
 
naien
2007-10-15 2:05:40 PM  
NakedReporta: OK, I just RTFA.

What Mr. Porter fails to account for is that many people are willing to give Radiohead money for what could be a free download not only because they want the band to benefit, but also because they want to support this new economic model for music. People are tired of the current economic model, the one where the main beneficiaries are the record labels and the RIAA.

Since Radiohead announced they would do this, other bands currently out of label deals like Oasis and NIN have said they will attempt similar models. If this becomes a trend, the labels will need to respond to this by either reducing CD prices and taking a more tolerant approach to downloading, or become extinct like the dinosaurs they increasingly look to be.

You didn't read all of it.

FTFA:
Some economists suspect that what is going on is that people get a kick from the act of giving the band money for the album rather than taking it for free. It could take many forms, like pleasure at being able to bypass the record labels, which many see as only slightly worse than the military-industrial complex. It could come from the notion that the $8 helps keep Radiohead in business. Or it could make fans feel that they are helping create a new art form - or a new economy. People who study philanthropy call it the "warm glow" that comes from doing something that we, and others, believe to be good.
 
Rational Exuberance
2007-10-15 2:06:01 PM  
Remember when Stephen King tried this? I vaguely recall him complaining that he didn't very much money relative to the number of downloads.

But music is different - you don't tend to reread books like you re-listen to music.
 
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