Friends...You are all acting like you are "entitled" to a leaked version of the album, or, at the very least, a version of the album not distributed by Universal.
Personally, I really don't give a shit about the record company, I just want the music. My $10 will go to the retailer, the manufacturer, the label and - finally - the band. So be it! I would love a pre-release version of the album, but just for my own selfish enjoyment. I had ATYCLB three weeks before it came out, but I still bought the CD at 7 a.m. the day it was released. Record companies still serve a purpose - they promote, manufacture and deliver the CD to retail. This is NOT an easy thing to do, and they know how to do it. You crucify Universal for being greedy and applaud Trent Reznor and Radiohead for taking things into their own hands and leaving the evil record company out of it. Well, the reason they do that is because of the MONEY! They don't want to give money for their work to someone else...who is being greedy there? Trent Reznor may use "I'm doing this for my fans" as his public line, but I think that's bullshit. He has a job, and he wants to get paid as much as possible for the work he does. He didn't sell out, he is trying to make a living. That's the whole point people. They all say they hate the music industry, but if you hate the music industry, don't make music! Play for free in a bar somewhere...see how long the "joy of performing for the fans" lasts with no huge pay day.
We talk about outdated delivery models and pre-internet magic and all that, but what it really comes down to is most of you sound like you just want new music for free...and that you feel entitled to it. What does U2 owe you? Nothing...they love to make music, and they love to SELL you music. A shirt, a ticket, a CD, a download, it's all bought and paid for. I will gladly do it for this band. If you are feeling slighted by the parting of your cheap asses and your money, don't buy it. I, for one, will buy it...and if I have to wait FOURTEEN MORE FUCKING DAYS to do it, that's just fine.
Thanks gang...still luv ya!
Personally, I really don't give a shit about the record company, I just want the music. My $10 will go to the retailer, the manufacturer, the label and - finally - the band. So be it! I would love a pre-release version of the album, but just for my own selfish enjoyment. I had ATYCLB three weeks before it came out, but I still bought the CD at 7 a.m. the day it was released. Record companies still serve a purpose - they promote, manufacture and deliver the CD to retail. This is NOT an easy thing to do, and they know how to do it. You crucify Universal for being greedy and applaud Trent Reznor and Radiohead for taking things into their own hands and leaving the evil record company out of it. Well, the reason they do that is because of the MONEY! They don't want to give money for their work to someone else...who is being greedy there? Trent Reznor may use "I'm doing this for my fans" as his public line, but I think that's bullshit. He has a job, and he wants to get paid as much as possible for the work he does. He didn't sell out, he is trying to make a living. That's the whole point people. They all say they hate the music industry, but if you hate the music industry, don't make music! Play for free in a bar somewhere...see how long the "joy of performing for the fans" lasts with no huge pay day.
We talk about outdated delivery models and pre-internet magic and all that, but what it really comes down to is most of you sound like you just want new music for free...and that you feel entitled to it. What does U2 owe you? Nothing...they love to make music, and they love to SELL you music. A shirt, a ticket, a CD, a download, it's all bought and paid for. I will gladly do it for this band. If you are feeling slighted by the parting of your cheap asses and your money, don't buy it. I, for one, will buy it...and if I have to wait FOURTEEN MORE FUCKING DAYS to do it, that's just fine.
Thanks gang...still luv ya!