In Rainbows

September 30, 2007 5:44 PM

Radiohead's new album isn't free, but it doesn't cost anything, either. What does that mean? It's up to you. Really. It comes out in ten days.
posted by setanor (98 comments total)

I know there's a thread about the album not too far back, but this isn't about it so much as it's about how it's free.
posted by setanor at 5:44 PM on September 30, 2007

double dee
posted by Alvy Ampersand at 5:45 PM on September 30, 2007

I have a feeling this is going to be like when James Brown died 8 times in one day.
posted by synaesthetichaze at 5:46 PM on September 30, 2007 [4 favorites]

Look, I just want a thread that's current where people can figure out what the fuck it means when platinum-selling artists decide to ask you how much you want to pay for their music.
posted by setanor at 5:47 PM on September 30, 2007

Look, I just want a thread that's current where people can figure out what the fuck it means when platinum-selling artists decide to ask you how much you want to pay for their music.

Sorry, but you can't have that.
posted by flapjax at midnite at 5:48 PM on September 30, 2007

Is it too much to demand I want a full house and a rock n' roll band?
posted by Alvy Ampersand at 5:50 PM on September 30, 2007

Sorry, but you can't have that.

Goodness, this is like trying to eat at Chili's.
posted by setanor at 5:50 PM on September 30, 2007 [3 favorites]

James Brown is DEAD?!??
posted by swell at 5:51 PM on September 30, 2007

OK, well, til the cruel moment of deletion arrives, since you mentioned it:

... what the fuck it means when platinum-selling artists decide to ask you how much you want to pay for their music.
</i

Millions of artists every day give their music away for free on the web, and sometimes ask for folks to pay whatever they can, if they want or if they're able. I'm not sure it means anything more in the case of platinum selling artists, other than the fact that you've noticed it and made a post about it.

Oh, and that platinum sellers will likely find it easier to pay the rent no matter what they do.
posted by flapjax at midnite at 5:54 PM on September 30, 2007

Whoops, forget to close the tag... just pretend those aren't italics, from the word "Millions"...
posted by flapjax at midnite at 5:55 PM on September 30, 2007

this is different to http://www.radioheadlp7.com/ methinks
posted by takeyourmedicine at 5:55 PM on September 30, 2007

i'm still trying to figure out what to say about an album i haven't heard yet - i know that some of you aren't having a problem, but i sure am
posted by pyramid termite at 5:57 PM on September 30, 2007

Wait...Radiohead is alive but James Brown is dead?

Wow. This is hell.
posted by humannaire at 5:57 PM on September 30, 2007 [1 favorite]

no, i'm not so dense as to think my attention makes this item post-worthy

those other artists do what they do because they expect that's the most effective way of garnering support and sales

when an artist has already been proven to generate millions of dollars in record sales there is clearly a different motivation
posted by setanor at 5:57 PM on September 30, 2007 [1 favorite]

If Radiohead wants to impress me they need to climb into a plane sitting on a computer-controlled dynometer and fly that fucker into the sunset. :)
posted by BeerFilter at 5:59 PM on September 30, 2007 [1 favorite]

also, i know you folks get your kicks jumping on whatever the meme-of-the-year is here for multiple postings but i should point out that this is a newsworthy event and and is the only post about the event.
posted by setanor at 6:00 PM on September 30, 2007

OK Consumer
posted by ColdChef at 6:03 PM on September 30, 2007 [11 favorites]

The discbox is going to be £40. If I had paid that for Hail to the Thief I'd have tried to get Yorke jailed.
posted by mistersquid at 6:03 PM on September 30, 2007

if you're the sort of person who would take offense to a £40 charge, why wouldn't you just pay what you wish and get the download?
posted by setanor at 6:06 PM on September 30, 2007

when an artist has already been proven to generate millions of dollars in record sales there is clearly a different motivation.

I'm not sure how clearly different the motivation is, but I have no way of knowing what's in most people's minds. But apart from your examples of "support" and "sales", I would add that many people offer up their music for free on the net simply so that it may be heard. So that they can communicate their litle aristic statement to the wide world. It's not always entirely mercenary.

And to reiterate, if you're already a multimillionaire, why not give a little music away? What the hell, right?

And, hey, it's great publicity. It's instant buzz, there's already 2 posts on it straightaway on MeFi, and it's probably all over the web. IO'd go looking if I were all that interested, but I'm a lot more interested in Furrly Lewis right now. He gave a lot of music away too.
posted by flapjax at midnite at 6:06 PM on September 30, 2007

On a side note:

Metafiler is the 7th link on a google search for the word radiohead.

Also, radiohead.com redirects to the posted link.

I listened to both Amnesiac and Kid A today, unaware of any upcoming Radiohead goodness. The signs, they are everywhere if you know what to look for.
posted by willie11 at 6:08 PM on September 30, 2007 [1 favorite]

Jeebus, I can't type this morning. That's Furry Lewis.
posted by flapjax at midnite at 6:08 PM on September 30, 2007

if I were all that interested, but I'm a lot more interested in Furrly Lewis right now. He gave a lot of music away too.

yes, it's fine that you're not interested and this sort of music isn't your cup of tea and what's all this about etc but radiohead have never been lacking in buzz in the past and be it a novelty or a flippant decision it will likely be a watershed moment for many major-label acts who may very well decide to do the same thing if it all goes well. i really think this is bigger than a rock album release.
posted by setanor at 6:09 PM on September 30, 2007

What about Huey Lewis?
posted by parki at 6:10 PM on September 30, 2007

it's fine that you're not interested and this sort of music isn't your cup of te

Truth be told, I think Radiohead is a pretty interesting band!

And it looks like maybe the mods are gonna let this post stand, so let's all have at it! And drinks all around!
posted by flapjax at midnite at 6:12 PM on September 30, 2007

Also, it's apparently not a hoax. This is from their blog:

Hello everyone.

Well, the new album is finished, and it's coming out in 10 days;

We've called it In Rainbows.

Love from us all.
Jonny
posted by willie11 at 6:12 PM on September 30, 2007

Huey Lewis is dead? What?
posted by miss lynnster at 6:13 PM on September 30, 2007

This thread is currently the #1 hit on google for "in rainbows", btw.
posted by empath at 6:16 PM on September 30, 2007

That's because of the power of Huey Lewis, empath.
posted by parki at 6:18 PM on September 30, 2007

Raidohead. Sponsored by the new TurboTax. Online filing just got a little easier.
posted by hal9k at 6:20 PM on September 30, 2007

HI 2 U GOOGLERS
posted by Spacelegoman at 6:22 PM on September 30, 2007

Pepsi pixellated multicolor swirly design.
posted by nowonmai at 6:23 PM on September 30, 2007

oops, I meant gaoled.
posted by mistersquid at 6:24 PM on September 30, 2007

They appear to be doing this completely sans label, which is a pretty big deal. I would be unsurprised if it turns out they make a version of the Download/CD1/Vinyl1 available in stores via a licensing deal with XL or someone.

The Discbox is pretty damn sweet. Three curses on the dollar for being so weak against the pound that I'm considering paying $80 for it.

(The Discbox = The Download + 2 CDs + 2 vinyl + some extra shit. CD1/Vinyl1 are equivalent to the download.)

But, hey. There's no shipping on the Discbox. That was nice of them.

It's fun watching this leak out through my RSS reader. At Ease flipped out just before the post on radiohead's blog went up. And the flipping out is kind of filtering out from there. I don't get to watch that happen terribly often.

Obsessive fan note: No Burn The Witch, it looks like. Sad face.
posted by sparkletone at 6:29 PM on September 30, 2007

Oh, my other thought was: This is certainly the way to go about making release day a big deal for your fans once again. A CD wouldn't leak until it went out for duplication (ala The Eraser), so the download is going to be when everyone first hears this it looks like.

The extras disc will, of course, leak when it goes for duplication.
posted by sparkletone at 6:30 PM on September 30, 2007

What about R. Kelly peeing on 14 year olds? Nobody ever wants to answer that question.
posted by Kraftmatic Adjustable Cheese at 6:32 PM on September 30, 2007

"i really think this is bigger than a rock album release."

That's the problem with Radiohead fans—they always think it's bigger than a rock album release.
posted by klangklangston at 6:33 PM on September 30, 2007

Sweet, thanks for the info setanor. I'm going to be looking forward to this for the next 10 days.
posted by supercrayon at 6:33 PM on September 30, 2007

yeah, so I know it's up to me and all, but whaddya think? $10? What will you interested me-fis bid for some shiny new radiohead?
posted by dig_duggler at 6:33 PM on September 30, 2007

klangklangston: it often is.
posted by setanor at 6:36 PM on September 30, 2007

Anyone tried putting in 0.00? (I actually put in a couple bucks as a reward for this behavior.) It doesn't let me type a negative sign...
posted by TheOnlyCoolTim at 6:37 PM on September 30, 2007

Dear Radiohead,

I will pay you up to and including $20 to not send me a copy of this album.

Yours in Christ
DU
posted by DU at 6:39 PM on September 30, 2007

If I were only getting the download, I'd put in $5. If it turned out they were being SUPER AWESOME with regards to what formats they make available, and what file quality... I might go as high as $10. (I'm assuming the download will include highish-res artwork as well.)

But I went Discbox, because, well. I had to.
posted by sparkletone at 6:41 PM on September 30, 2007

"What about R. Kelly peeing on 14 year olds?"

Kid P
posted by mr_crash_davis at 6:41 PM on September 30, 2007 [1 favorite]

Weird that they hired the jodi.org people to design their site.
posted by dobbs at 6:44 PM on September 30, 2007

And to reiterate, if you're already a multimillionaire, why not give a little music away? What the hell, right?

This is a trick question, right? Cause... they'd get more?
Point me in the direction of a place where the rich decide they've had enough money.
posted by dreamsign at 6:44 PM on September 30, 2007

Did anybody get a chance to hear the free album that Prince gave away in some british newspaper? How was that? Should I go hunt that down and pay what I think it's worth? (i.e. nuthin)

Or when a big commercial named somebody that used to be a nobody gives away their music, is it cuz they know they can't compete with the thousands of somebodies that nobody knows giving their music away on the Internet cuz nobody knows they're there unless they do? Are the big names trying to do to independent artists what Bill Gates did to Netscape by giving away MSIE?

Is that gonna work?
posted by ZachsMind at 6:49 PM on September 30, 2007

I will pay you up to and including $20 to not send me a copy of this album.

EASY.

1) Pay $20 for download.
2) Delete confirmation email.
3) Set up email client to automatically delete any further communications from that address.

You have now paid to not get the album.
posted by sparkletone at 6:50 PM on September 30, 2007

I want to decide what to pay after I've heard it.
posted by Liv Pooleside at 6:50 PM on September 30, 2007 [1 favorite]

"klangklangston: it often is."

Often? Bullshit.

Pablo Honey: Mediocre Brit-pop release with one hit and a lot to be ashamed of.

The Bends: Great Brit-pop album only recognized as such by the public after…

OK Computer: Overwrought but "important" album. When they became the biggest art rock band in the world.

Kid A: The first time their new album was "bigger than a rock album release."

Amnesiac: Disappointing follow-up.

Hail to the Thief: Reputed to be a "return to form." Wasn't.

In Rainbows: Musically? Who knows. Marketing? Viral. The kids like viral marketing now, right?

In terms of new album anticipation, they're rapidly approaching Elvis-Costello-like irrelevancy.
posted by klangklangston at 6:50 PM on September 30, 2007

Jesus, what is with you people and radiohead?
posted by puke & cry at 6:50 PM on September 30, 2007

I'm kind of trying to figure out why I should donate money to multi-millionaires.

I'll take it for free, thanks.
posted by empath at 6:51 PM on September 30, 2007

Is this one getting deleted too?
posted by Reggie Digest at 6:51 PM on September 30, 2007

"A CD wouldn't leak until it went out for duplication."

not true at all - rough mixes from the studio of an album in production, even stolen portable hard drives have known to be sources for internet album leaks.
posted by tremspeed at 6:52 PM on September 30, 2007

Planet RadioheadDoublePost:
You can delete it but it's always here
You can delete it but it's always near
Chasing you to MeTa saying
Everything is posting
Everyone is posting

And another thing: Who will cry for Rodeohead?
posted by Dr. Zira at 6:53 PM on September 30, 2007

I'm praying for a discbox-unboxing day where I can hear the screams of thousands as the needle finally hits those coveted black vinyl LP's, only to sound out '....we're no strangers to looovveee...'
posted by bhance at 6:53 PM on September 30, 2007

If it's total shit I'll pay nothing. If it's magic, I'll pay to keep them running.

Why is this so hard?
posted by Liv Pooleside at 6:53 PM on September 30, 2007

I'm kind of trying to figure out why I should donate money to multi-millionaires.

probably so they can pay for a non clear-channel non-sponsored tour again.
posted by setanor at 6:54 PM on September 30, 2007

This is a trick question, right?

Well, musicians aren't exactly like investment bankers... I do think there is at least the possibility of a certain, um, playfulness on their part concerning business and commerce.

They're also no doubt quite aware that they will make plenty of money from this anyway, and, I'll say it again, generate a lot of publicity. And yes, that means more publicity, much more, than they'd have gotten by simply releasing a CD in the usual way.
posted by flapjax at midnite at 6:54 PM on September 30, 2007

I sincerely think that the only people more obnoxious than ones who get fanatical about Radiohead are the ones who get fanatical about Tool.
posted by klangklangston at 6:54 PM on September 30, 2007 [1 favorite]

I entered zero and it gave me a confirmation. Weird.
posted by dobbs at 6:55 PM on September 30, 2007

I sincerely think that the only people more obnoxious than ones who get fanatical about Radiohead are the ones who get fanatical about Tool.

no, the most obnoxious people are those who feel the need to "set straight" the fans of any given band
posted by setanor at 6:56 PM on September 30, 2007

HOLY SHIT, HERE'S THE FIRST VIDEO!!
posted by pyramid termite at 6:57 PM on September 30, 2007 [2 favorites]

klang: In my experience, they've always been the same people.
posted by Reggie Digest at 6:57 PM on September 30, 2007 [1 favorite]

Radiohead? Those guys totally ripped off Interpol, and Thom Yorke sounds exactly like the lead singer of Muse.
posted by schroedinger at 6:59 PM on September 30, 2007 [2 favorites]

...And it's pyramid termine For. The. Win.
posted by Dr. Zira at 7:00 PM on September 30, 2007

"no, the most obnoxious people are those who feel the need to "set straight" the fans of any given band"

Really? Because I tend to be more OK with those people than ones who don't capitalize their letters, but I'm a bit of a musical dilettante.
posted by klangklangston at 7:00 PM on September 30, 2007

no, the most obnoxious people are those who feel the need to "set straight" the fans of any given band

You really think those people are more annoying than the ones who don't use punctuation?
posted by dobbs at 7:01 PM on September 30, 2007

"In my experience, they've always been the same people."

Really? I thought all Tool fans had thick necks and all Radiohead fans had thin ones.
posted by klangklangston at 7:01 PM on September 30, 2007

What about Huey Lewis?

...and the Newsfilter?
posted by stavrosthewonderchicken at 7:02 PM on September 30, 2007 [2 favorites]

I think every comment should start with "Really?" due to my incredulity at the premises put forth.
posted by klangklangston at 7:02 PM on September 30, 2007

There are lots of people in this thread being obnoxious, but I get the feeling that none of them are Radiohead fans.

I'm a Radiohead "fan" (not short for fanatic, in my case). I like them. I have some of their albums. Your bitching is supposed to be charming, or edgy, or what exactly?
posted by dreamsign at 7:02 PM on September 30, 2007

Really?
posted by Alvy Ampersand at 7:03 PM on September 30, 2007

Aw, shit, you're right. But they smell the same.
posted by Reggie Digest at 7:03 PM on September 30, 2007

Radiohead? Those guys totally ripped off Interpol, and Thom Yorke sounds exactly like the lead singer of Muse.

I'm sorry, but pyramid termite beat you both to the punch and to the punch line.

Better luck next album!
posted by sparkletone at 7:04 PM on September 30, 2007

klang: In my experience, they've always been the same people.
posted by Reggie Digest at 1:57 PM on October 1 [+] [!]

Ugh, not me. I'm no huge Radiohead fan or anything, I just like some of their music. But I've never liked Tool's stuff. It makes my ear barf.
posted by supercrayon at 7:05 PM on September 30, 2007

I'm sorry, but pyramid termite beat you both to the punch and to the punch line.

Dammit!
posted by schroedinger at 7:05 PM on September 30, 2007

Better luck next album!

I doubt we'll have to wait that long. One of the band members will fart and some jagoff'll make an FPP aboout it.
posted by dobbs at 7:06 PM on September 30, 2007

I remember that MetaFilter post about how retarded people loved the Huey Lewis, and I remember being really drunk and trying to figure out if my cousin Dave, who has Downs, liked Huey Lewis (if he did, I woulda bought him a cassette). When Dave didn't understand what I was asking, and I had to explain all of what prompted me to ask, it was profoundly awkward.

All I really got out of the conversation was a reaffirmation that David hates Paul Harvey and likes Golden Earring.
posted by klangklangston at 7:06 PM on September 30, 2007

Really? Because I tend to be more OK with those people than ones who don't capitalize their letters, but I'm a bit of a musical dilettante.

You really think those people are more annoying than the ones who don't use punctuation?

i love this place.
posted by setanor at 7:06 PM on September 30, 2007

setanor- As one who often drops a little poop in my own posts, for God's sake please stop pooping all over your own post.

As for the album, I will personally await the first leaks and judge the merits from there. I like Radiohead, but I won't trade my weak American dollars for an album that I haven't heard and no one has even been able to review or comment upon.

If it's really "Up to Me", I choose to have Thom Yorke pay me 20 pounds for the disappointment that was Hail to the Thief. Stop doing the same album over and over, OK? Great.

I'll try that and see how it works out.
posted by rollbiz at 7:06 PM on September 30, 2007

So where's "Burn the Witch"?

But...

Last Flowers! Reckoner! Up on the Ladder!

I think their ploy is pretty brilliant.

I would love to see how many people pay $0.

I am REALLY excited over this! *dances*
posted by Windigo at 7:07 PM on September 30, 2007

One of the band members will fart and some jagoff'll make an FPP aboout it.

and you'll have half the comments in the thread.
posted by setanor at 7:07 PM on September 30, 2007

i prefer to sprinkle poop liberally throughout, but thanks for the advice.
posted by setanor at 7:08 PM on September 30, 2007

"I like them. I have some of their albums."

Hey, me too! Here's the difference—I don't post an FPP every time someone whose band I like puts up a contentless website in anticipation of their new album.
posted by klangklangston at 7:08 PM on September 30, 2007

Dreamsign: It's one thing to like Radiohead; I like them just fine. But there's a certain type of undying superfan that worships Radiohead (and Tool), and buys everything with their name on it, do everything they do, believe whatever the band tells them to believe. They're sheep.

It all just completely misses the point the band is trying to make, and that is funny.
posted by Reggie Digest at 7:09 PM on September 30, 2007

and you'll have half the comments in the thread.

Ahh... You've currently got me beat at 13 to 4.
posted by dobbs at 7:11 PM on September 30, 2007

14.
posted by setanor at 7:12 PM on September 30, 2007

setanor:

Member- December 2004.

Comments- 122

Comments in this single post- 13 and counting....
posted by rollbiz at 7:12 PM on September 30, 2007

Damnit, I can't keep up!
posted by rollbiz at 7:13 PM on September 30, 2007

I mean, what the fuck is there to talk about here?

"Ooh, Radiohead may be the first band to let their audiences decide how much to pay since the punk co-op down the block had 'pay what you can night.'"

"Yeah, man, isn't that awesome. Radiohead is so awesome."

"Yeah, I can't wait to hear their new album. I bet it'll be deep."

"Yeah. Hey, are you getting anything? I can't tell if I'm high."

"Oh, I'm totally high dude. Justin's cousin wouldn't sell us bunk shit."

"Yeah. Dude, it totally smells like a pizza in here."
posted by klangklangston at 7:13 PM on September 30, 2007 [1 favorite]

not true at all - rough mixes from the studio of an album in production, even stolen portable hard drives have known to be sources for internet album leaks.

I'm not saying CDs going out for duplication are the only source for leaks. Or even the only source for radiohead leaks (cf: The rough version of HTTT that made it to Interwebz).

However, I suspect this will play out like The Eraser. If a studio copy were going to leak, it would've done so already. There's no label to leak it, there's no advance press copies to leak. It's not unreasonable to think that the CDs aren't going out for duplication till after the download goes live.

So. I think in the case of the extras disc, it will be like The Eraser (which, relative to when it was announced, leaked at about the time it would've been hitting duplication plants, but before I think any press had copies) and not like Hail's leak.
posted by sparkletone at 7:14 PM on September 30, 2007

For those who want a bit of a preview, The Rawking put together mp3s of live versions of unreleased radiohead songs, many of which are on the new album. Although it can be expected that the studio versions probably sound considerably different.
posted by troubles at 7:14 PM on September 30, 2007

no, the most obnoxious people are those who feel the need to "set straight" the fans of any given band
posted by setanor at 7:56 PM on September 30

I dunno, posting repeatedly in your own FPP is pretty obnoxious too.
posted by Eekacat at 7:15 PM on September 30, 2007

However, I am seriously wishing that I had a better copy of The Bob Seger System's Mongrel, because it is totally sweet.

What? Did Radiohead put out some new music that we could talk about?
posted by klangklangston at 7:15 PM on September 30, 2007

What does Radiohead have against the currently internetless people of Burma? Insenstive bastards.
posted by CKmtl at 7:15 PM on September 30, 2007

Trent Rezor is on record saying that this is what he'd like to do after his current contract expires - put the album up for download, let people donate via PayPal.
posted by mrbill at 7:15 PM on September 30, 2007

for the record, i'm shitting on this post because i wanted to create more of a discussion about what this means for major label practices if it goes well, etc. i'm sure this is a major community faux pas or whatever but all the comments are either about how so and so likes another band better, how the last album wasn't any good, how i don't use enough punctuation and that apparently i can not tell the difference between newsworthy and fanboy fisting.
posted by setanor at 7:16 PM on September 30, 2007