This issue, we’re going to skip the introduction and start off with a bit of a
rant. Hold on, first let me put on my slightly larger glasses. There…
I understand that record labels hold onto a band’s recording until they think
they can release it to have the biggest impact in the market. However, with the
continual rise in file sharing, these albums invariably get leaked and everyone
hears it anyways. A number of labels/bands set up e-cards or use myspace to
give their fans a taste of the new material but it’s usually in very poor
quality and limited to streaming audio. I don’t listen to much music while
seated in front of my computer. I’d rather dump it onto my MP3 player and
listen to it where ever I feel like.
So why not allow us, the fans, to own a copy of the music when it has been
completed? The band/label could set up a pre-order system for a couple bucks
more than the normal price for a CD and then it could distribute a link to a
download site and let you enjoy the music immediately and send you the physical
disc/record when it’s released. I’m not asking for access to studio demos or
pre-mastered copies, I just want to hear the finish product when it’s finished.
When cheezy, anti-establishment prog-rock band The Accident Experiment was
about to release their first full length album, United We Fear, they set up
digital distribution before they had even pressed any discs. While I’m not
going to recommend the album, as I don’t care for their Rush-like sound (not
all Canadians like Rush), I really liked the idea. Of course, 99% of all bands
don’t have the control over their own music to do something like this but
lessons can still be learned here.
If iTunes has shown us anything, it’s that a lot of people are willing to pay
for a legal copy of something that they can get illegally for free. You don’t
have to set up the site yourself. Use eMusic, use indietunes, usewhatever. I
just want access to the music.
Just to prove a point, here are a few of the pre-releases that I’m currently
enjoying:
The Flaming Lips – At War With The Mystics
Brandtson – Hello, Control.
Danielson – Ships
Rainer Maria – Catastrophe Keeps Us Together
Stavesacre – How To Live With A Curse
Snow Patrol – Eyes Open
This list could be a lot longer, there’s a lot out there. Almost every album
that’s released gets leaked these days. I want to help, just give me a
reasonable solution.
Note to the RIAA: These albums will be purchased on their release dates and I,
as well as this site, in no way condone the downloading of music without
supporting the artist and obtaining a legal copy of the music when it is
available.
Editors Note to the RIAA: Bite me.
