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October 09, 2007
On Radiohead, where I'm compelled by the Zeitgeist
(Alternate titles for this post: Keeping the Honest, Honest; No Loose Lips When There's No Ship To Sink)
Radiohead incited an Internet riot last week when they suddenly announced a new album was completed, but also it's imminent availability on October 10th, AND the fact fans could name their own price for the rights to download a copy. As of yet, I haven't come to a conclusion on what it all means, but I don't count myself as subscriber to the conventional wisdom declaring this to be the landmark, flatlining moment of the -- as we know it today -- music industry. However, as Jeff Klingman commented to me during a discussion on the topic, "it could very well end up being an important footnote in the eventual obituary."
** ** **
I just wanted to say how cool it is to look forward to a new record without getting spoiled with a leak months in advance. Nothing to frame the yet unheard recording but anticipation. If nothing else, I hope this is what is remembered most from this stunt. Does that ultimately make this novel idea a terribly sad one? Perhaps, even though its obvious and well overdue.
//Radiohead - In Rainbows - buy
Posted by Merry Swankster at October 9, 2007 07:34 PM
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Comments
Don't you think that part of the anticipation comes form the artful anti-marketing marketing campaign, instead of some supposed nostalgia for waiting around )? (Even if the record sucks the band deserves an award for its roll out
When I get an advance or a leak, I still have that same feeling of excitement I used to, I just stopped feeling like that early listen was some how less valid because the record wasn't in stores.
Posted by: Jeff K at October 9, 2007 09:19 PM
Any way you paint it, its anticipation that is sadly gone for the most part. I think you'll agree that these days way more often than not, you end up with instant gratification when you go out in search of something. Where before you had the ritual of a Tuesday mission to the record store come release day.
Ask yourself, when was the last time you got a new disk and tossed the shrink wrap and popped it for a listening session of all fresh material?
Posted by: Sebastian at October 9, 2007 10:36 PM
Well, that may be true, but conversely, when was the last time you bought an album based only on reading reviews and discovered that you hated the whole fucking thing. That misfortune has been basically eradicated.
Posted by: Jeff K at October 9, 2007 10:40 PM
touche
Posted by: Sebastian at October 10, 2007 11:38 AM
