Digital Audio Insider -- the economics of music and other digital content

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Digital Audio Insider is David Harrell's blog about the economics of music and other digital content. I write from the perspective of a musican who has self-released four albums with the indie rock band the Layaways.

My personal website has links to my LinkedIn and Google+ pages and you can send e-mail to david [at] thelayaways [dot] com.

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October 09, 2007

Pre-Ordering Radiohead
by David Harrell

So I bought (pre-ordered, that is) the download version of the new Radiohead album on Friday. I opted for the "eMusic price," which based on my 40 downloads for $9.99 subscription rate, translates into $2.50 for a 10-track album. With the .45 pound service fee, I ended up paying $3.42 for the album.

The process was easy -- they either ironed out the server load issues or maybe the traffic had died down considerably by Friday -- and I had a confirmation e-mail in less than a minute after the transaction.

While one friend thought I was rather cheap with my self-selected price, given today's news that the album will be released as 160k mp3 files, I'm glad I didn't pay more. Given that Amazon is sellng all of Radiohead's back catalog as 256k files and 7digital offer 320k versions, 160k seems a little, uh, stingy. And then there's the Billboard report that album will be released as a retail CD as well, likely on ATO.

I certainly don't blame Radiohead for wanting to do a standard CD release for the album. Despite the large number of people signing up for the direct download (or even the pricey box set), skipping retail stores would've been leaving money on the table. Nor was there was any assertion that direct purchase would be the only way to buy the new record.

But I can't help thinking that some fans are going to view the 160k files for the download version and the retail CD (which will likely show up for $10 or less in Best Buy, etc.) as a bit of a bait-and-switch. And I have to agree with this comment to the Idolator story:

It's pretty much the perfect bitrate from their perspective: high enough that it won't be really crappy, but low enough that the music nerds will definitely shell out for the CD when it comes.

Oh, and if Radiohead does sign with ATO, there's a possibility that the album will end up on eMusic.

tags: digital music Radiohead ATO eMusic

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THE LAYAWAYS

Out Now -- "Maybe Next Year" -- The New Holiday Album:

"This is a sweet treat, deliciously musical without being overbaked for mass media consumption." -- Hyperbolium

"Perfect listening to accompany whatever holiday preparations you may be making today." -- Bag of Songs

O Christmas Tree - free mp3 lyrics and song details
Away In A Manger - free mp3

Download from eMusic, iTunes, Amazon MP3, or Bandcamp. Listen to free streams at Last.fm.

"...about as melodic and hooky as indie pop can get." -- Absolute Powerpop

"Their laid-back, '60s era sounds are absolutely delightening." -- 3hive

"...melodic, garage-influenced shoegaze." -- RCRD LBL

Where The Conversation Ends - free mp3
January - free mp3
Keep It To Yourself - free mp3

Download from eMusic, iTunes, Amazon MP3, or CD Baby, stream it at Last.fm or Napster.

"The Layaways make fine indie pop. Hushed vocals interweave with understated buzzing guitars. The whole LP is a revelation from the start." -- Lost Music

"Catchy Guided by Voices-like rockers who lay it on sweetly and sincerely, just like Lionel Richie." -- WRUV Radio

Silence - free mp3 lyrics and song details
The Long Night - free mp3

Download from eMusic, Amazon MP3, or iTunes, stream it at Last.fm, Napster, or Rhapsody.

"These are songs that you want to take home with you, curl up with, hold them close -- and pray that they are still with you when you wake up." -- The Big Takeover

Let Me In - free mp3
Ocean Blue - free mp3

Download from eMusic, Amazon MP3, or iTunes, stream it at Last.fm, Napster, or Rhapsody.

More Layaways downloads:

the layaways website