Quandary is probably exaggerating how I feel regarding Radiohead's strategy to release their latest, In Rainbows. But nonetheless, while I appreciate their attempts to open things up and do things differently, I prefer to get my music through the usual channels. And I'm not surprised by the publics reaction because people are hopeless creatures of habit. Radiohead is offering up their latest release for download from their website for whatever price you want to pay. There is really no catch other than that you have to login to their website and register with the usual information. The "pay what you want" angle is interesting because you can pay nothing and download it. Despite the offer to get their music for free the peer-to-peer music freeloaders are stealing In Rainbows in droves. Bit-Torrent users downloaded In Rainbows 240,000 times the first day. Seriously, is anyone surprised?
I'm not sure what Radiohead was going for here but it doesn't matter. I really like Radiohead but I have a feeling they are elitists and think they are super special. My guess is that they sat around and tried to think of something unique to do and assumed whatever they came up with would work because their fans are loyal and their music is too special to steal, etc. I could very well be off base and I don't have anything to support what I'm saying. It's just a guess. I went to their web site and downloaded it, paying $10 for it. I figured that was fair for the bits and no actual CD. I'm very much looking forward to listening to it. But are the masses that are used to stealing music via Bit Torrent or whatever really going to go to a website register and enter their information to get the music for free? No. Also, are they really going to then select zero dollars (or pounds) and expose themselves as cheap asses? No. People would rather steal something at no risk than go to a web site and declare that they want this music for nothing. They know it's not worthless yet they want to spend nothing for it. It's just too easy and thus too tempting. Did Radiohead think their little idea was going to curb this urge? Come on. I'm not trying to come across as different than everyone else because I've taken without paying. I think the difference is that I pay a lot and occasionally seek a freebie, even though it's rare.
And it's not just the money either. Not everyone wants to register at a website so that they can buy music they should be able to get anywhere. I'd rather have just bought it at the store or Amazon or whatever. I can somewhat relate to the "screw the record label" angle some bands take but this felt more like an ego thing or a "we're being cool" thing. If I had to register separately to purchase the well over 1,000 CDs I've purchased I'd be less motivated to buy. Of course I supposed over time I may save money by picking my own price but still.