To listen to Ghosts click play:
Trent Reznor didn't like the fact that his record company was charging crazy prices for his albums, so, he decided to do something about it. He ended his contract and became the distributor of his own music. The latest Nine Inch Nails release "Ghosts I-IV" is now available only through the official website of the band. Among various options that go from a 5$ full digital download+artwork, to a 75$ deluxe edition package, you have the opportunity to download "Ghosts I" for free. And not a hideous download with crappy mp3 files, cool 320kbps files that come with bonus artwork: wallpapers, avatars etc.
Though technically NIN are not the first band that decided to offer their latest release for free, NIN frontman Trent Reznor seems, for the time being, to be the only one looking the fans straight in the eye when he says that he is not only offering his music but he is, also, offering a change.
A few months ago, Radiohead offered their new album "In Rainbows" for a digital download through their site, that let people pay the amount of their choice or nothing at all. Even though they were the first major band to do such thing, their action was more of a marketing experiment rather than a breakthrough in the way musicians give their fans access to music.
They offered a limited-time download (the album is no longer available for download) and lossy 160Kbps mp3 files without artwork. Also, they are still going to follow the traditional promotional and distributional methods through their record label. There is nothing wrong with that, but there is nothing revolutionary there either.
What is interesting though is that Reznor is talking numbers while Radiohead refuse to reveal how much money they made. Well, what's an indie kid without some mystery *roll eyes*..
Anyway, it's undeniable that Reznor is making a difference (while making money). And Ghosts is really really worth listening to! Press play..
A few months ago, Radiohead offered their new album "In Rainbows" for a digital download through their site, that let people pay the amount of their choice or nothing at all. Even though they were the first major band to do such thing, their action was more of a marketing experiment rather than a breakthrough in the way musicians give their fans access to music.
They offered a limited-time download (the album is no longer available for download) and lossy 160Kbps mp3 files without artwork. Also, they are still going to follow the traditional promotional and distributional methods through their record label. There is nothing wrong with that, but there is nothing revolutionary there either.
What is interesting though is that Reznor is talking numbers while Radiohead refuse to reveal how much money they made. Well, what's an indie kid without some mystery *roll eyes*..
Anyway, it's undeniable that Reznor is making a difference (while making money). And Ghosts is really really worth listening to! Press play..
