The King of Limbs
It seems that Radiohead has a new album, available for pre-order. I know nothing about it, but I have several of their albums and have never given them a cent. So I figured I’d pay for this one, in penance for my crimes.
Anybody else ever bought something out of guilt after a life of piracy?
Posted on February 14, 2011, in Pop Culture. Bookmark the permalink. 20 Comments.
I can’t try the samples at Costco without buying the product. It just seems so callous to try the wares and walk away. I usually bypass the sample stations for this reason.
So, not exactly the same thing…
But usually if we pirate something (allegedly) and end up really liking it we’ll go buy a copy to support the franchise. Something like Firefly.
We got Netflix streaming because we felt guilty about how we were getting some of our media.
Here’s how it often works for me:
Download an album -> see the band live -> buy merch (cd or tshirt).
I figure buying stuff at a show means the money goes right into the bands’ pockets.
I finally subscribed to my local NPR station after years of listening for free.
And I do a lot of what Susan does, go see bands I like live and buy something from the merch table, either a t-shirt or more likely vinyl.
I think a general subscription ala the Zune store will be the future of music. It’s just a question of when the studios will get something organized that works…
BTW – I was pretty disappointed with their last one. I know others loved it but I honestly listened to it a few times and no song jumped out at me that I liked. Kind of reminded me of most of U2′s last few albums. It’s good, but not the sort of thing I want to listen to again and again. Usually Radiohead’s albums had about half its content like that but then a few songs that really, really grabbed me. Not this last one. We’ll see if the new one is better.
I bought In Rainbows through their web site as well – I’ll do the same here. I thought it was funtastic (sorry Clark).
Steve, what’s your favorite song on the album? (Quick, without having to look — I’m betting you can’t whereas I can name favorite songs quickly from prior albums)
I do pretty much what Susan does. But probably not quite as often.
I did just start using Rhapsody because I tend to download way too many tracks from bands, then I have to go through and delete them months later.
Clark,
For me, In Rainbows is very listenable. I don’t think it was constructed as series of singles, instead it is a coherent album, or at least that is how I listen to it. That said if I were forced to pick a track, it would be Bodysnatchers.
Sorry Clark, just saw this — Reckoner.
Sometimes I download albums from BT, then buy them on iTunes or Amazon. (And never open them.) Fair use, amirite?
Thanks I’ll put those in my main playlist rotation and see if they grow on me.
Good call with Reckoner, SG. In Rainbows is the album I’ve given the least attention to, but I think I’m going to hit it up this week as I prepare myself for King of Limbs. Hail to the Thief, In Rainbows and Yorke’s personal album all blur a bit for me – I’m hoping the new album offers something new.
Yeah, I got to admit Reckoner is the best song on the album. I listened to most of the album again this week and it still didn’t grab me. Bodysnatchers was OK, but nothing as good as the Radiohead songs I have in my Radiohead playlist. (Although I did add Reckoner to it)
They made the download available early. Mine will be done in less than a minute.
I haven’t downloaded the new album yet. Honestly I don’t have time to listen to most of the music I have! (Although I’ve inexplicably been getting into Primus of late)
I’ve been listening to Reckoner a lot this week though and I have to admit it’s really grown on me. Bodysnatchers not so much although I appreciate it better than I had.
I’ve listened to the new album twice so far. Right now I think it is unremarkable. I need to give it some more time.
Admit it John: if it was any other band, and you had listened a couple times and found nothing great about it, you’d be done.
I actually like In Rainbows more than and listen to it more frequently than their prior albums. Love love Wierd Fishes, house of cards, 15 steps, and body snatchers. I used to not like in rainbows as much as their old stuff, but its great.
The new album is great too. Its certainly different and more of an pink floyd type experience than any individual track.