A great band and a very bold move. I really hope it works out for them.

I don't think, as the article suggests, that it will spark any industry revolution, though.

It's more or less accepted that a lot of consumers are actually using FREE MP3 files online to preview what music they actually buy - in the same way blank magnetic tapes were used in the 70s/80s. And those who don't buy the album is not a sale lost, but a possible fan gained in the future.

Most labels are switched on to that fact and have been giving music away for free, in various clever ways, for years.

As I say, it's a very bold move and I hope it works out for them.

The album is great, by the way.

Ironically, Owen Gibson from the Graudian failed to mention how good it is and where people will be able to download it from!

Edited: oops. I meant that to be a reply to the earlier post about the guardian article.

http://business.guardian.co.uk/story/0,,2068618,00.html

oops.. i meant that as a reply to the other post linking the graudian article.

http://media.guardian.co.uk/newmedia/story/0,,2068691,00.html

On closer inspection...

From the crimea website: [i]This album is available to order on pre-release. Orders will be sent out on release date May 13th. cost:

Mistersmart i think that the FREE music can only work on certain levels and there are indeed many novel ways one can spin this story to one's advantage. Indeed i'm working on a couple of ideas in this respect.

However my general consensus is it needs to be monetised somehow and in someway.

One fabulous idea was done by Gospel singer the Late Keith Green. He had a concept of sending the album to anyone who ordered it for whatever they could afford. Even Nothing !!

Thousands of people ordered and many more paid full price and bought it for others as well. I remember back in the day when I was in the 3rd world and poor that i would order one but then i could afford it so i bought the album in the bookshop instead.

It is a great concept but not in isolation and well you all know my thoughts about having it ad sponsored in some way.

I do think the best policy is:

Play it for free on website. Using Youtube, Adbrite or Revver.

Sell downloads via Itunes etc.

Sell Downloads on site for chart hyping purposes (Legally).

Sell mail-order physicals: T-shirts, records etc.

On the subject of mail order and merch. Who is a good vendor to use apart from Cafepress ? Or are they the only one ?

Keith Greens idea is interesting.

At the end of the day, as long as people get talking about The Crimea and listening to the album, regardless of the catalyst behind that, it's a job very well done by the team behind the crimea.

Instead of giving away free mp3 downloads, I would have suggested they give away free WAV/AIFF downloads. Most heavy-duty music fans know that MP3s are not exactly the same as what you get on CD, so when fans realise that the album is actually on sale for 10.00 it sorta dilutes the whole 'free album' vibe.

Having said that, the objective of the exercise was to get people talking about it and listening to the album. everyone is talking about it at the moment..so job very well done by the team.

Let's hope it works out for them when the album comes out in the middle of may.

re: cafepress...

one of my favourites (t-shirt providers) is http://www.ethicalthreads.co.uk or any of the fair trade guys. They don't have a cafepress type setup, where they handle the payments as well..but, it's worth going the extra yards I think.

When I first heard this I was very sceptical indeed... now I am more so.

It's either a band in death-throws of some marketing, the only thing against marketing it it's a bit too obvious and too easily upset.

Hmmmm we will see... or if I'm right we won't see

zooloo wrote:
When I first heard this I was very sceptical indeed... now I am more so.

It's either a band in death-throws of some marketing, the only thing against marketing it it's a bit too obvious and too easily upset.

Hmmmm we will see... or if I'm right we won't see

fair point. The newspapers mentioning the fact that they were dropped by Warners doesn't look good and probably adds to that last-throw-of-the-dice vibe.

The bottom line is people are talking about them and as a result, will probably give the album a listen, so it's a job done by their team. I really liked tragedy rocks and Secrets of a Witching Hour doesn't dissapoint.

Let's face it, if they do well out of this campaign...it's all down to the music. Which is something to be applauded.

I think everyone who, to borrow a phrase, loves music more than the industry will be secretly hoping that it does work out for them.