I'm actually quite surprised at the timing of this whole uproar.
Apple/U2 announced this Digital Boxset on October 26th.
They said it would contain rare and previously unreleased tracks.
They said it would only be available via itunes.
They said the Digital Boxset would be available on November 23rd.
They said it would cost $149 without the ipod coupon.
The people in countries without itunes knew at that point that they didn't have itunes.
The people that couldn't afford it knew then they wouldn't be able to afford it.
Physical Box Sets with rare and previously unreleased songs do not offer the purchase of single versions of those songs.
Bang, the clock strikes midnight on November 23rd and all hell breaks loose. As if no saw this coming.
"Hey wait, they're releasing rare and previously unreleased tracks, holy shit, how can U2 do this, why didn't they tell us this would only be available in the Digital Boxset via itunes. Oh my God, fuck U2, fuck Apple, fuck the fans that purchased this boxset and haven't posted links to all of the songs yet"
I understand all the frustration of people, both financially and geographically, I'm just shocked at the timing, like if this had been some big secret for the last month. Yes the tracklisting wasn't announced but how many different ways does someone have to say "rare and previously unreleased tracks" for it to sink in that they would be releasing "rare and previously unreleased tracks" and that they would be contained in the Digital Boxset for $149 via itunes?
I'm not going to judge anyone for trying to get the songs, that just goes with loving U2 so much that every song is like discovering gold in your backyard. Personally, I haven't decided whether or not to buy the set, I probably will once all of the kinks are worked out, but since it's available to me I also will definately not be downloading any songs unless I buy the boxset from itunes, I just wouldn't feel right about it. Although honestly deep in my heart I don't think U2 would begrudge anyone who couldn't afford it, or didn't have it available to them to download the songs from where they could, they aren't so naive that they don't think these songs will be available online. For Christ sake the album was available.
But posting thousands of email addresses begging is not the way to go on this one, that's just looking for the easy way out. If you can't figure out the ptp thing, figure it out, the songs are there, or will be there before you can say "rare and previously unreleased tracks". Just make an effort, don't expect everything to be in your inbox.
