blog
Burn CDs Burn!
Transmission:
Elvis Costello has been writing innovative music for decades, but his next album, Momofuku, isn't going to be released on what’s been the predominant music format for almost twenty years, the CD. When Momofuku comes out April 22, 2008, it will only be available on vinyl/digital. People that grab the vinyl will also receive some type of voucher for a digital download. I think this is great. The CD is gonna eat it hard, and I'm glad to be here to watch it burn!
Growing up, I bought CDs solely for the music on them. I rarely glanced at those booklets filled with copyright and publishing info, and I always threw away those cumbersome jewel cases. I just wanted the music, so I found myself constantly recording good ol’ reliable mix-tapes so I could have a flawless playlist without having to rely on an expensive 5-disc CD changer.
These days, now that I'm spoiled by MP3 players, I don't have any faith in the longevity of the expensive, scratchable crap disc (CD stands for “crap disc” now; tell your friends). I'm in full support of all the labels and bands that are releasing songs via MP3, but how can I make sure they're not getting ripped off by others? No great solutions yet, but I want to point out some good ones.
They Might Be Giants toyed with the digital-download-only concept back in 1999 with Long Tall Weekend, and the band currently operates its own iTunes-esque music store, allowing fans to legally purchase MP3s legally and directly from the artist (for maximum E-fficiency). Their website even offers a plethora of live shows, an advantage that brick-and-mortar CD stores simply can’t compete with.
Other labels and groups are starting to catch on to other innovative MP3 sale strategies. Everybody and their grandma heard about Radiohead’s internet sale of In Rainbows, which allowed customers to pay whatever they wanted for the album (my grandma paid $12*), but what I’m really excited about is QUOTE UNQUOTE records, an east coast indie label that gives away free downloads and asks for donations via credit card. I'm supporting these guys because that's a smart way to get a ton of music out to people, allowing the customers to set their own price on a band and its songs.
While it’s still too early to tell which music-selling model will become the eventual norm, the MP3s and the internet have already made buying the music I want a much better experience than dealing with all of those pesky CDs (crap discs; tell some more friends).
-This has been a Joebot discussion
End Transmission:
*Thom Yorke, my Nana insists you use her $12 to buy Gwyneth Paltrow something nice. I tried to explain that you weren’t Chris Martin. She insists Gwyneth still deserves some flowers. Also, brush your hair.
Elvis Costello has been writing innovative music for decades, but his next album, Momofuku, isn't going to be released on what’s been the predominant music format for almost twenty years, the CD. When Momofuku comes out April 22, 2008, it will only be available on vinyl/digital. People that grab the vinyl will also receive some type of voucher for a digital download. I think this is great. The CD is gonna eat it hard, and I'm glad to be here to watch it burn!
Growing up, I bought CDs solely for the music on them. I rarely glanced at those booklets filled with copyright and publishing info, and I always threw away those cumbersome jewel cases. I just wanted the music, so I found myself constantly recording good ol’ reliable mix-tapes so I could have a flawless playlist without having to rely on an expensive 5-disc CD changer.
These days, now that I'm spoiled by MP3 players, I don't have any faith in the longevity of the expensive, scratchable crap disc (CD stands for “crap disc” now; tell your friends). I'm in full support of all the labels and bands that are releasing songs via MP3, but how can I make sure they're not getting ripped off by others? No great solutions yet, but I want to point out some good ones.
They Might Be Giants toyed with the digital-download-only concept back in 1999 with Long Tall Weekend, and the band currently operates its own iTunes-esque music store, allowing fans to legally purchase MP3s legally and directly from the artist (for maximum E-fficiency). Their website even offers a plethora of live shows, an advantage that brick-and-mortar CD stores simply can’t compete with.
Other labels and groups are starting to catch on to other innovative MP3 sale strategies. Everybody and their grandma heard about Radiohead’s internet sale of In Rainbows, which allowed customers to pay whatever they wanted for the album (my grandma paid $12*), but what I’m really excited about is QUOTE UNQUOTE records, an east coast indie label that gives away free downloads and asks for donations via credit card. I'm supporting these guys because that's a smart way to get a ton of music out to people, allowing the customers to set their own price on a band and its songs.
While it’s still too early to tell which music-selling model will become the eventual norm, the MP3s and the internet have already made buying the music I want a much better experience than dealing with all of those pesky CDs (crap discs; tell some more friends).
-This has been a Joebot discussion
End Transmission:
*Thom Yorke, my Nana insists you use her $12 to buy Gwyneth Paltrow something nice. I tried to explain that you weren’t Chris Martin. She insists Gwyneth still deserves some flowers. Also, brush your hair.
Comments
Page:
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posted on Apr 3 at 5:49 pm
Hi-larious. See ya at Summer Slam brother.