Nine Inch Nails gives me a reason to listen...

Ever since I made the change to XM Radio about 4 years ago, my album buying habits have drastically changed. I used to buy 3 or 4 albums a month, if not more. Now, I'd be lucky to buy 3 to 4 albums in a year. I just don't see that need for me to spend the money on a new album when I can listen to a lot of different music for $12.95 a month

This fact makes Nine Inch Nails latest release all the more exciting. It's absolutely free. Trent Reznor decided to allow you to download the album completely free from the albums web site. All you have to do is supply an email address and you'll have your pick of multiple formats from mp3's up to CD quality. It even includes the album art in a .pdf format.

Just another way a band can get their music out to the masses, especially to people who might not be totally inclined to buy the album because of financial reasons. Even though I like the music Nine Inch Nails makes, I may have never heard the album if it wasn't free. If I never heard the album, would I be writing this post? Probably not...

Trent Reznor and Nine Inch Nails wants you

After writing about Nine Inch Nails releasing their latest album online a few weeks ago, I recently found that Trent Reznor has now announced a project that allows you to be a part of the creative process. Reznor recently submitted a video to Youtube to explain his vision. In it, he explains how he wants people to submit their own videos for the music on the Ghosts album. He talks about how the tracks on the album were intentionally unnamed as to not influence the outcome of any videos produced.

This is on the heels of what Reznor proclaimed a very successful album release. I think this is another great way for a musician to connect and interact with their fans. Here's the video if you want to learn more:

R.E.M. dropping their latest album on iLike

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:

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: