Free Music For The Taking
Monday, May 5th, 2008
For weeks the ‘Net has been speculating about what Trent Reznor of Nine Inch Nails had planned for today. The band’s official web site had been teasing something big and they managed too deliver. If you visit nin.com right now, you can download the band’s brand new album “The Slip” for free. Absolutely free. 10 songs, 44 minutes, and artwork. For free.
The revolution that Radiohead began with “In Rainbows” continues, but Reznor’s move is virtually unprecedented. Whereas Radiohead were asking for their fans to pick a price and pay it, Reznor is giving away his music for free. It’s a gift to his fans, and enticing to someone like me who knows a handful of Nine Inch Nail songs, but is interested in what the band is doing musically.
Of course, this isn’t a method that can work for every artist; Reznor has an established career and brand, and makes money touring, so he can afford to take a chance that younger artists can’t. I’m curious to see how it pays off in the end.
When I get home tonight the first thing I’m going to do is download the new NIN album “The Slip” and put it on my ipod. How about you? Any interest in a free Nine Inch Nails album? Let me know, and then use NIN as today’s bonus code.