I came across a blog post on Techdirt today that talks about R.E.M.'s latest album, Accelerate, and how it will be available on the music social network, iLike, a week before it hits stores. Techdirt referred to an MSNBC article on their blog as they explained how R.E.M. is another example of how music groups are reaching out to broader audience by allowing fans to get their music free or early in new and more dynamic ways than a CD. I mentioned Trent Reznor from the group Nine Inch Nails last week and how he has applied the same business model. I think it's a great way to promote your music and build an even bigger and more devoted fan base.
Although I don't follow R.E.M. that much, I think they have written some great alternative/pop songs that have somewhat defined a generation. One of the songs that I'll always remember from their collection is It's the End of the World As We Know It (And I Feel Fine). Here they are performing the song live in Toronto:
Wednesday, March 12, 2008
R.E.M. dropping their latest album on iLike
Monday, March 3, 2008
Nine Inch Nails releases album online
With little pomp and circumstance, Trent Reznor of the group Nine Inch Nails has released a new ablum called Ghosts exclusively online. According to the album website, they've had 3 times the amount of traffic on his site to download the first 9 tracks, which happen to be totally free, and which has also brought the site to a halt as there's too many people trying to download it. I caught the first news of it on Techdirt's web site, which points out how, even though the tracks are free (Reznor even uploaded the first 9 tracks himself to torrent sites), he is still able receive revenue without the music labels help.
So, checkout the new album if you're into NIN. If you're not into NIN, atleast enjoy Johnny Cash's cover of one of Nine Inch Nails tunes, Hurt. It's his last video before his passing. See it below:
