Radiohead - In Rainbows

I don't care if someone wants to pay $80 and I don't think Radiohead are doing anything "wrong" and I think it's an interesting experiment - but I don't think this model's really leading anywhere either. From a financial perspective, I'm guessing they'll make a fraction of what they made from OK Computer or Kid A. But yeah, props for trying something different.

From a financial perspective, I'm guessing they'll make a fraction of what they made from OK Computer or Kid A

Like EMI didn't make most of the money from those anyway, gimme a break!

I only think it's different in that it places a slight moral choice - should I or should I not pay something? Otherwise, it's just like any old album. Also even if you don't pay a cent, they still have your details and an excuse to spam your inbox.

xpost OTM

I bet the five members of Radiohead will see more money from actual album sales on this than most of their studio records.

yeah, surely all the profit is going directly to radiohead, minus whatever cut they've worked out with the waste products people? there's no record company to siphon away massive chunks of the money.

Also, farts.

(I don't wanna get banned frm noize brd)

Always interesting even though they haven't been close to their artistic potential since "OK Computer".
-- Geir Hongro, Monday, 1 October 2007 11:17 (3 hours ago) Link

WRONG

I wonder if they'll make the price people pay public?

www.inrainbows.com down at the moment? (expected this to happen a lot sooner)

Like EMI didn't make most of the money from those anyway, gimme a break!

Sure, evil record company made a bundle too. Don't know what percentage Radiohead was on, but I don't suppose they did too badly out of it. And now they don't have a record company to pay protection to. But in strict terms of business models, this latest strategy will generate only a fraction of what the previous (admittedly now unworkable) model generated. That's my guess anyway!

Zelda, I'm loving all these caveats of yours, because nothing about what you're saying suggests anything the band clearly haven't thought of already. Which is PRECISELY why they are trying this out.

www.inrainbows.com down at the moment? (expected this to happen a lot sooner)

-- StanM, Monday, 1 October 2007 14:58 (8 minutes ago) Bookmark Link

They removed the "Enter" link.

So, do this one:
http://www.inrainbows.com/Store/Quickindex2.html

Also even if you don't pay a cent, they still have your details and an excuse to spam your inbox.
-- Roz, Monday, October 1, 2007 2:55 PM (2 minutes ago) Bookmark Link

exactly! you can bet there's a huge tour in the works, and that everyone who puts in their contact info for this download (whether they pay nothing, a little or a lot) is gonna get an announcement straight to their email in a few months.

NB: that's an really inexpensive way to market a really massive tour.

Another thing that occurred to me as well -- no complaints about people making mp3 rips of radio broadcasts of pre-released tracks, not to mention no worries about radio stations playing anything before they're supposed to. Jack White must be grousing as we type.

(Also, some writer colleagues in the UK checked with the band's PR folks, who confirmed -- no advances/listening parties/etc., everyone gets it all at once.)

thanks - but that's not working either/very very slow right now (xxpost)

but anyway, it doesn't matter, I ordered teh box this morning.

Just finished the process. Man, that was hard work!

Ned, did you check the google group?

... so by the time a review appears in the monthlies, the download album will be more than two months old but it's going to be just in time for the box set (December) or the actual CD (if they release that in January).

Ned, did you check the google group?

?

how many of you are going to be ordering this? i can't decide. the most i've paid for a single piece of music is pretty much around $25. i like radiohead a whole lot but 80 bucks is a lot of money.

also, for US people who have ordered stuff from the UK before -- how much of the $80 do you think goes towards shipping? somehow i can justify it more if the shipping cost is like $30 or something.....

grrrr NME

"listen to the album here!"
- click, page with ads and
"click here to go to the blog!"
- click, page with more ads and
"click here to see the whole message!"
- click, page with ads and the youtube live clips every blog has

YOUR PURCHASE MAY BE SUBJECT TO A TRANSACTION FEE.
THIS WILL BE SHOWN AT THE CHECKOUT.

oh yeah, pay 20 quid transaction fee as well now plz

no?

No, I haven't seen anyone's posts anywhere who had to pay that transaction fee.

If Radiohead had done this with Hail To The Thief, I would have been one of the $80 discbox purchasers. I really love the Kid A/Amnesiac period, and went through a major period of Radiohead obsession based on those two CDs. As it turns out, they're the only two Radiohead CDs I truly like. So I'll do the cheap download to start, and will pay standard price for whatever lower-price CD or LP version ultimately comes out.

Drudge Report linked to the site this morning. That probably crashed it.

Comparing sales of this to OK Computer and Kid A and profits, keep in mind that each MP3 sold costs $0.00 to manufacture.

and even so, that fee would only be 45p (xxxpost)

http://www.inrainbows.com/Store/Advice.html

What are your shipping rates?

There is no additional shipping charge for the Discbox.

Are there any additional costs?

A 45 pence bank charge may be incurred. This will be shown at the checkout.

No transaction fee for me...

Transaction fee is 45p

I don't know if that applies if you went for the 0.00 option.

No, if you go for the 0.00 option you only have to fill in your contact details apparently, not your visa number & so on.

Comparing sales of this to OK Computer and Kid A and profits, keep in mind that each MP3 sold costs $0.00 to manufacture.

And also costs $0.00 to buy! (setting up the website and the backoffice technology etc would have cost something though).

Everyone's acting like this box is limited edition and preorder only, but they didn't say that anywhere, or did they?

StanM is correct - no credit info required for the free purchase.

If Radiohead had done this with Hail To The Thief, I would have been one of the $80 discbox purchasers. I really love the Kid A/Amnesiac period, and went through a major period of Radiohead obsession based on those two CDs. As it turns out, they're the only two Radiohead CDs I truly like.

this pretty much describes why i'm hesistant to drop the $80 on the discbox. i like the other albums just fine, but Kid A/Amnesiac are pretty much the only ones I'm motivated to listen to anymore. i'm just a little worried about dropping $80 on an album isn't nearly as good as my favorite radiohead stuff.

They had to write and practise and record and mix and master everything before they had the free mp3s though, and AFAIK those things tend to cost money (even when you have your own studio) (xxxpost)

hmm maybe i'll do the free download and if it's effin' great, i'll do the discbox.

i'm more excited about this as a news story, and as a hugely interesting marketing model, than i am as an album :/

I ordered the box because I just have to have it. I'll worry about the music later :-)

Maybe they figure that anyone who is going to download it for free would get the songs for free anyway.

hmm maybe i'll do the free download and if it's effin' great, i'll do the discbox.

This is kinda what I figured most people interested in the box would be doing anyway!

Lefsetz has chimed in.

oh pfft you whiners - try not being american or british, the pound is SEVEN times my currency. That's like half a month's rent right there. I won't pay that much even if I do like the album. Too bad cause the whole package looks so pretty.

Lefsetz has chimed in.

Hahahah! I was waiting for that!

Will they make a deal with a major for physical distribution? Will they do it themselves? Or will they leave ALL that money on the table? Shit, that would blow MY mind.

how much of the $80 do you think goes towards shipping?
-- Mark Clemente, Monday, October 1, 2007 3:17 PM (20 minutes ago) Bookmark Link

from an experienced ebayer who ships worldwide...maybe $10, $12

For that much weight? (double CD, double vinyl, hardcover booklet)

Wow. I've been had by some sellers, I think. :-/

yeah, you've been had by at least 80% of eBay sellers, more than likely

I ordered the box because I just have to have it. I'll worry about the music later :-)

-- StanM, Monday, 1 October 2007 16:34 (Monday, 1 October 2007 16:34)

Sadly very OTM u_u

The only problem with this release strategy is that there will be a shortage of sane, measured reviews of the album and a whole lot of "I wouldn't pay for this crap anyway har-dee-har-har!".

It seems like the concerts in '06 received really strong reviews, and that some of these songs were developed then.

Yeah as far as i can tell, at least 12 of the 18 songs were played on tour last year, maybe more, they might have changed some of the titles.

deadairspace update for whoever's having trouble accessing the online store:

Just to let you know - mel called to say that w.a.s.t.e are working on the current gear-grinding at inrainbows.com....it's getting busy in there - busier than they expected.

So if you please bear with us, it should get cleared out soon. I sound like a bouncer. Get behind the rope. No denim. Thanks for your patience with the site & interest in the record.

Jonny