Hamilton Nolan recently commented on Radiohead's decision to offer its album for free download before it releases it as an add-ons laden physical property.
He wrote: No band would even be trying such a harebrained scheme, though, if they could still get $17.99 a pop for CDs at Tower Records.
I might have to disagree with him there. Clearly, he's never visited ateaseweb.com, where thousands of desperate souls would probably pay $5K for a lock of Thom Yorke's hair. But, still, it's a bit of a risky gambit - one no struggling band could attempt.
While I have yet to find time to get to the download site to determine what I would pay, I have two friends, Radiohead devotees, who have confessed to have paid nill for the music. But who said riling the music industry (to which they so often express loathing) was a profitable endeavor?
He wrote: No band would even be trying such a harebrained scheme, though, if they could still get $17.99 a pop for CDs at Tower Records.
I might have to disagree with him there. Clearly, he's never visited ateaseweb.com, where thousands of desperate souls would probably pay $5K for a lock of Thom Yorke's hair. But, still, it's a bit of a risky gambit - one no struggling band could attempt.
While I have yet to find time to get to the download site to determine what I would pay, I have two friends, Radiohead devotees, who have confessed to have paid nill for the music. But who said riling the music industry (to which they so often express loathing) was a profitable endeavor?
