If you haven’t heard of the Radiohead phenomenon yet, you have been living under a rock. After being fed up with the music industry, Radiohead released their album, In Rainbows, online. Listeners could download the album at their website for an optional fee. The band was interested to see how much people thought music was worth. Although the quality is much less than that of a CD, it was still a slap in the face for the industry. Radiohead still plans on releasing their album in stores in the form of a “discbox.” This discbox will contain a hardcover book, bonus CD of outtakes, and vinyl In Rainbows.
I think the initiative on Radiohead’s part has made a statement that will forever impact the music industry. This is one of those incidences that will be on a countdown on VH1 in ten years. Radiohead will probably have made as much money, if not more, from the optional-pay release online than if they had released it through a record label because of all the money the label takes from the profits. Most bands make their money from touring now. Unfortunately, only a band with such a large stature and following as Radiohead could successfully pull this gimmick off.
Nine Inch Nails commend Radiohead on their innovative plan and say that they would be willing to follow the trend. They have already left the Interscope label.
Madonna has decided to leave Warner Music. She has now signed with Live Nation, which is actually a concert promoter. I think it is great that large names like these are able to take a stand and go against the music industry.
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