Only time will tell. Actually, the official number is down 14% from last year. Perhaps, this will be a wake up call for industry and they will lower prices. I know that I rarely ever buy a CD if it is over $9.99. If I go over that, it would have to be one of the bands I follow closely or am a completist with (like Radiohead) or something I've already heard and loved it so much that paying a bit more doesn't concern. Still, there are a ton of great CDs priced $9.99 or lower.
The state of alternative and/or indie music is nowhere near as terrible as a lot of people like to say. If you base your opinion on what is mostly played on the radio then you might be right, but in my experience the stuff that doesn't get played at all is what to look for. I actually heard a DJ on the local alternative rock station state this fact the other day (modern rock is terrible). Well, I have to say he doesn't know what he's talking about, and besides that station plays the same garbage day in and day out (with a few exceptions...they are playing some of the good quality stuff now and again).
Here's the latest update:
Quote:
Radiohead managers Chris Hufford and Bryce Edge were interviewed at BBC Radio 4’s ‘Today‘ this morning, confirming a record deal for Radiohead’s new album ‘In Rainbows‘ will be signed within the next 7 days.
Chris Hufford said that the band are close to signing a record deal: “Ultimately, the band feel that this record, which they are incredibly proud of, deserves to be brought into the mass marketplace. That’s why we need a record company who have that infrastructure to deliver the CD. We’ve got about seven days to get it organised.”
Does this current plan, with consumers setting the price make any financial sense?
Chris Hufford: “It’s just another way of doing things and hopefully it will initiate artists and record labels to think about things a lot more and not just accept the status quo.”
Bryce Edge also said that the band had faith people would not just download the album for free: “We might come out looking very foolish. We’re prepared to take a risk. If your music is great, people will then pay for it. One of the big mistake record companies have made is prosecuting students and kids for doing what we did years ago: taping music. It’s nonsense.” Hufford added: “The wonderful thing is that the consumer can decide how much a download is worth. I’m not sure how much just a digital download is worth. I’m not sure 79p at iTunes is the right price. We cannot control the price when the cd comes out in the shops in January. The market controls the price.”
Regarding the £40 price for the DISCBOX edition of ‘In Rainbows’, Hutton said: “£40 is huge value for money. It costs a lot of money to make. How many drinks do you get for £40. how many football matches can you see for £40.”
