Radiohead-Blazing A New Digital Trail
With the British art-rock band Radiohead releasing their new album entitled “In Rainbows” as a digital download and sold it for whatever their fans volunteered to pay, is this going to become a new trend in the methods that bands supply their music to the public?
With CD shipments to retailers down 13% from last year, this innovative way to eliminate the middle man, the record label, has proved exactly where the music industry is headed. But there is a catch, the release is only available via the web site (InRainbows.com) and cannot be purchased in retail stores. The band will also offer fans a deluxe-edition box set that includes vinyl and CD copies of the release, plus a CD of bonus tracks and a lyric book on December 3.
Will this technique catch on? One can only guess, but given the restraints that some record companies have on their artists, early reports suggest that most consumers are actually paying for the release. This release may have made the band more money than previous releases by eliminating the “manufacturing” costs of a CD, including promotion, marketing, distribution and the record label’s cut.
An interesting element to this is that the release is getting more “word of mouth” promotion and publicity than most albums. People are intrigued and are talking about it and large web sites (mostly corporate) are not discussing it mainly because the record company (or lack thereof) is not asking them that they do so.
Now is this a one-time phenomenon or is Radiohead blazing a new musical distribution trail? It could be a bit of both, really. This release is a record label’s nightmare, a band can actually release it’s own material without jumping through the proverbial “corporate” hoops and record label red tape, and actually make money in the process. It also shows an impending trend, where music can be released without the aid of the “hard media” like CDs or vinyl records. There are predictions that in the coming years a lot of bands and artists will follow this lead and may offer album downloads as a market tool to promote their tours as well as sell other merchandise.
In fact, Trent Reznor, of the hard-rock band Nine Inch Nails has stated that they do not have a recording contract with their record label and may follow a similar path of not having a record label to support their next release. Other artists such as Madonna have already followed suit.
So this may be the direction music is heading. Bands have also taken note of the “singles” market, where a consumer can pay for just one or two downloads, and the artist will not necessarily have to have an album release to support the singles. Yes, the digital download is here to stay, much to the chagrin of the record labels as well as vinyl enthusiasts. There is a whole new digital world out there for musicians and one they are running to grab by the horns.
About the Author
Robert Benson writes about rock/pop music, vinyl record collecting and operates
http://www.collectingvinylrecords.com
, where you can pick up a copy of his ebook called “The Fascinating Hobby Of Vinyl Record Collecting.” Contact Robert at robert@collectingvinylrecords.com
Mad Season Artifical Red Vinyl Lp
|
|
THE BEATLES 1962 – 1966 RECORD SET LMTD RED VINYL LPS $185.00 |
|
|
BLUES/R&B 45RPM RECORD-FAYE ADAMS-RED VINYL HERALD 416 $150.00 |
|
|
Extremely Rare Allan Jones 3 Record Box Set Red Vinyl $149.99 |
|
|
Beatles German Red Blue Record vinyl album set 1962-70 $119.99 |
|
|
BLUES/R&B 45RPM RECORD-FAYE ADAMS-RED VINYL HERALD 416 $100.00 |
|
|
RED VINYL 45RPM RECORD-THE BYRDS-PROMO COLUMBIA 4-4324 $100.00 |
|
|
THE LIVING CHRIST Bible on Records RED VINYL 10 LP Set $99.95 |
|
|
Jimi Hendrix – Voodoo 4LPs Red Vinyl Classic Records $89.95 |
|
|
7″ 45rpm Red Vinyl Record Jackets Covers Cardboard 250 $87.50 |
|
|
George Bizet “Carmen” 16 Red Vinyl Record Box Set 1951 $79.99 |
|
|
Brooke Bond Foods Red Rose Tea GINK Records Vinyl 45 $75.00 |
|
|
BEATLES HEY JUDE 45 rpm RECORD JAPAN PS RED VINYL $75.00 |
|
|
Red Wax Vinyl LP Hawaii Calls To You 49th State Record $75.00 |
|
|
ETERNAL ELVIS LIMITED EDITION RECORD RED VINYL RARE NR $74.99 |
|
|
Beatles 1962-1966 2 LP Apple Records Red Vinyl, Sealed! $74.99 |
|
|
Scorpions Lonesome Crow Red Vinyl Sealed LP Record $74.99 |
|
|
B.B. KING WAILS LP RARE RED VINYL CROWN RECORDS BLUES $74.99 |
|
|
HISTORY OF BLUE THUMB RECORDS 3LP Red/Blue/Yellow VINYL $69.98 |
|
|
Beatles HANDCRAFTED (Red Vinyl Record) PHOTO ALBUM! $69.98 |
|
|
Soundgarden Flower 10” Red marble Vinyl Record SST $59.99 |
|
|
Red Norvo Trio 78 record album red vinyl $55.99 |
|
|
Baroness “Red Record”2x LP Mastodon vinyl Pelican Isis $49.99 |
|
|
ELVIS PRESLEY RED VINYL 45 RPM RECORD FRAMED MINT COND. $49.99 |
|
|
Elvis Presley Record, PROMO, Red Vinyl, The Elvis Hour $49.99 |
|
|
LP TENDER FURY Red Vinyl ALBUM GARDEN OF EVIL record VG $49.95 |
|
|
LOT of (9) Red Vinyl 1950’s Records! Great Retro Decor $48.50 |
|
|
Calling england-italo disco-RED VINYL-project records $44.99 |
|
|
RARE RED Vinyl Remington Records 45 EP Sidewalks of NY $44.97 |
|
|
Vinyl Wall Art – Record Player @ CityZen Design 22 x 15 $43.99 |
|
|
Vinyl Wall Art – Record Player @ CityZen Design 22 x 15 $43.99 |
|
|
THE TOKYOS 10″ RED VINYL RECORD EARLY PUNK DUSTY ROADS $41.99 |
|
|
CRADLE OF FILTH TWISTED NAILS OF FATE red Vinyl Record $39.99 |
|
|
NEW Danzig – Deth Red Sabaoth – LP Vinyl Record Pre-Ord $39.99 |
|
|
LOVE / HATE BLACK OUT IN THE RED ROOM LP RECORD VINYL $39.99 |
|
|
Elvis Presley 45rpm record & sleeve, Red vinyl, rooster $39.99 |
|
|
ODETTA and LARRY rare RED VINYL Fantasy Records mono LP $39.98 |
|
|
RARE! Vintage Red & Blue Vinyl Country Music Record Set $39.95 |
|
|
RARE SACRED RECORDS 10″ RED VINYL THE HUMBARD FAMILY $37.49 |
|
|
Venom: At War With Satan 2x 12″ RED VINYL LP RECORD NEW $36.99 |
|
|
Rane Serato Vinyl Record RED, BLUE & CLEAR Lot! $35.99 |
|
|
Scarlet Red Don’t Dance With Danger LP Vinyl Record $35.00 |
|
|
Blind Melon/Galaxie 10″ Red Vinyl Record Sealed $35.00 |
|
|
RED SIMPSON – THE MAN BEHIND THE BADGE LP vinyl record $34.99 |
|
|
RECORD TAIWAN RED VINYL SMOKEY PETER GORDON RIGHTEOUS $34.99 |
|
|
Baroness – Red Record NEW LP 12″ colored vinyl $33.99 |
|
|
PAIR RANE SSL RED VINYL SERATO SCRATCH LIVE RECORDS $31.95 |
|
|
The Beatles 1962–1966 – RED Vinyl Record Set $31.47 |
|
|
Lene Lovich Stateless LP (Stiff Records) RED VINYL $30.99 |
|
|
Serato Scratch Live Vinyl Red Control Records Doubles $30.99 |
|
|
Riverdales Tarantula LIMITED RED VINYL LP Record non cd $29.99 |
|
|
HERBIE FIELDS RARE FIRST RECORD PARROT 1953 red vinyl $29.99 |
|
|
2X Rane Serato Vinyl Record RED PURPLE BLUE CLEAR BLACK $29.99 |
|
|
In A Little Red Schoolhouse. LP Vinyl Peter Pan Records $29.99 |
|
|
NEW- Dj Anthem 50-Vinyl Record Messenger Bag/Case-RED $29.99 |
|
|
Amon Amarth: The Avenger 12″ RED VINYL LP RECORD NEW $29.99 |
|
|
SLIPKNOT Duality RED 7 INCH VINYL Record USA w/UNRELASE $29.99 |
|
|
Baroness: The Red Album 2x 12″ VINYL LP 2LP RECORD NEW $29.99 |
|
|
10″ red vinyl anthology by Universal Record – Taiwan?LP $29.99 |
|
|
NEW- Dj Anthem 50-Vinyl Record Messenger Bag/Case-RED $29.99 |
|
|
Witch The Hex Is On LP RED Vinyl Record $29.99 |
|
|
PAUL MCCARTNEY RED ROSE SPEEDWAY VINYL LP RECORD ALBUM $29.98 |
|
|
Kyuss Blues For The Red Sun 180 Pressed Record Vinyl LP $29.95 |
|
|
Red Vinyl Israel Label Hebrew Record $29.00 |
|
|
Mixvibes Timecode vinyl Record Red turntable vinyl Pair $29.00 |
|
|
Thor Let The Blood Run Red red Vinyl Record 12” $27.99 |
|
|
Possessed: Seven Churches 12″ RED VINYL LP RECORD NEW $27.99 |
|
|
LES MCCANN GOSPEL TRUTH RARE RED VINYL LP VINYL RECORD $27.99 |
|
|
Vader: Revelations 12″ RED VINYL LP RECORD NEW 180 GRAM $27.99 |
|
|
Mercyful Fate: 9 Nine LP 12″ RED VINYL RECORD NEW 180g $27.99 |
|
|
Onslaught: Power From Hell 2x 12″ RED VINYL LP RECORD $27.50 |
|
|
Onslaught: The Force 2x 12″ RED VINYL LP 2LP RECORD NEW $27.50 |
|
|
RED VINYL REGULAR RECORD – THE COCKROACHES $27.06 |
|
|
Rane Serato Timecode Vinyl Red Control Record pair $26.00 |
|
|
Cannibal Corpse: The Bleeding 12″ RED VINYL LP RECORD $25.99 |
|
|
Entombed: Serpent Saints 12″ RED VINYL LP RECORD NEW $25.50 |
|
|
JAZZ 45RPM RECORD-TAB SMITH-UNITED 162-RED VINYL $25.00 |
|
|
RED VINYL TCHAIKOVSKY NUTCRACKER SUITE PARADE RECORDS $25.00 |
|
|
1967 Boston Red Sox Impossible Dream Record MINT Vinyl $25.00 |
|
|
Namak Halaal Lp Red Vinyl Record Bollywood Made India $25.00 |
|
|
Devo: Freedom Of Choice 12″ RED VINYL LP RECORD NEW $24.99 |
|
|
2X Rane Serato Vinyl Record RED PURPLE BLUE CLEAR BLACK $24.99 |
|
|
Rane Serato SSL PAIR RED TimeCode Vinyl Records NEW $24.99 |
|
|
Rane Serato SSL PAIR RED TimeCode Vinyl Records NEW $24.99 |
|
|
Karoline s/t LP Red Vinyl Record $24.99 |
|
|
S.C.VOLUNTEERS Salute RED 7 INCH VINYL TKO Records 4trx $24.99 |
|
|
Sensational Ink Spots on Rare Red Vinyl Crown Records $24.99 |
|
|
Rane Serato SSL PAIR RED TimeCode Vinyl Records NEW $24.99 |
|
|
Rane Serato SSL PAIR RED TimeCode Vinyl Records NEW $24.99 |
|
|
Rane Serato PAIR of RED Control 2.0 Vinyl Records NEW $24.99 |
|
|
Rane Serato PAIR of RED Control 2.0 Vinyl Records NEW $24.99 |
|
|
Rane Serato PAIR of RED Control 2.0 Vinyl Records NEW $24.99 |
|
|
ATREYU suicide notes and butterfly LP Record RED Vinyl $24.99 |
|
|
Thor Let The Blood Run Red red Vinyl Record 12” $24.99 |
|
|
Rane Serato PAIR of RED Control 2.0 Vinyl Records NEW $24.99 |
|
|
STEELY DAN “Aja” RARE Red VINYL LP RECORD ABC Canada $24.98 |
|
|
JACK HOLCOMB TENOR RECORD RED VINYL ALBUM $24.95 |
|
|
Serato Scratch Live Vinyl Red Control Records Pair 2.0 $24.95 |
|
|
Battered Wives/Self Titled /RED VINYL/Bomb Records $24.95 |
|
|
DR. BOB JONES WORDS TO LIVE BY RED VINYL RECORD ALBUM $24.95 |
|
|
Rane Serato Scratch Live RED 2.0 Vinyl Record PAIR TWO $24.95 |
|
|
Record Album Lp Frame Featuring Red Mat Juke Box Style Design and a Solid Wood Black Frame $59.00 A Professionally Matted Record LP Album Frame For A Fraction Of Custom Frame Shop Prices. Our frame allows you to frame your vintage 12 inch vinyl lp record sleeve AND vinyl record in a unique matted design. These frames feature “real” glass NOT plexi-glass, a solid wood black frame and our patented ez mount system. Frame opening size 16×23 overall size 18×25 inches FREE SHIPPING FOR ORDERS OVER $… |
|
|
1 Red Solid Aluminum Vinyl Record Dome Adapter / Insert – Fits Almost Any Turntable! #07MDDARE $8.99 [1.5" x 1.5" x .75"] This listing is for 7″ Solid Aluminum Dome Adapters (not hollow!). The adapters allows you to play 45 RPM singles on almost any record player. These are BRAND NEW adapters. Suggested Retail $9.98 ea **CONTINENTAL US SHIPPING ONLY!**… |
|
|
10 7 Standard Weight Record Jackets – Cherry Red – With Hole – #07JWREHH – Protect Against Dust and Wear! (EP / 45rpm / Single) $10.75 These record jackets are perfect for replacing worn out and torn covers for 7″ records, and are perfect for producing new singles! Not only do these colorful jackets make your record collection look better, but if your records get stolen it makes identifying them so much easier! They’re also perfect for saving your original jackets from ring wear – simply store the record in these new jackets and … |
|
|
Californication $5.96 Reunited with producer Rick Rubin and guitarist John Frusciante (both of whom were on board for the 1991’s breakthrough Blood Sugar Sex Magik), the Chili Peppers waste no time in burying their last effort, the so-so One Hot Minute. Californication’s kickoff cut, “Around the World,” swaggers around the room, reacquainting itself with old fans and welcoming new ones. Fuzzy Hendrix vibes and popcorn … |
|
|
In Rainbows [Vinyl] $11.85 On the deliriously satisfying In Rainbows, Radiohead returns to a more straight-ahead (though subdued) rock sound. Much hubbub has been made about this record’s innovative release. Radiohead allowed fans to pay what they wished to download fairly low-resolution tracks from the band’s own website. Like so many innovations, it already seems funny both that it was such big news and that someone else … |
|
|
Good Evening New York City: Deluxe Edition (2 CD & 2 DVD) $36.61 The deluxe edition includes two CDs and two DVDs featuring the complete concert plus exclusive footage on the bonus DVD. The bonus DVD includes Paul’s performance on the Late Night with David Letterman, plus additional features. Track listing: 2 CD & DVD (All Regions) 1. Intro 2. Drive My Car 3. Jet 4. Only Mama Knows 5. Flaming Pie 6. Got To Get You Into My Life 7. Let Me Roll It 8. Highway 9. Th… |
|
|
Rane Serato Scratch Live Control Vinyl Record, Red $12.99 Now available in hot colors! The SSLVINYL control record from Rane is the same as the records supplied with Scratch LIVE. We all know vinyl wears out with use, so don’t get caught short! Priced per record…. |
|
|
Sumiko Pro-Ject Debut III Turntable In Red W – Ortofon OM-5 Cartridge $399.00 The Pro-Ject debut III is an excellent choice for the audiophile seeking a cost-effective vinyl playback solution. Pro-Ject has created something special with this turntable. The Pro-Ject Debut III uses an extremely quiet motor (decoupled from the plinth to reduce vibrations), a great tonearm with a silicone damped arm lift, and high purity copper from the headshell leads to the RCA ends. A fe… |
|
|
Red Hot Chili Peppers (Logo) RHCP Full Colour Premium Guitar Picks x 5 Medium 0.71 $7.99 Pack Of 5 Full Colour Premium Guitar Picks. These Picks Are Printed Using The Latest Hi-Tec Digital Printing. Picks Are Not Just For Show. These Are The Guitar Players Choice. Pick gauge is 0.71mm (medium). Picks are plain white on the reverse side The picks are brand new and un-used!…. |
|
|
got vinyl? Men’s Tee Shirt in 12 colors Small thru 6XL … |