Review: As many of you probably heard, Radiohead put out an album this year titled "In Rainbows," which they marketed with an innovative pricing system: the album was offered for free on Radiohead's website or at whatever price you desired to pay (donate). (It's no longer available on Radiohead's site as a free download.)
Later, hip-hop producer Amplive remixed the Radiohead album on his own album called "Rainydayz." Amplive offered the remixed songs on the Internet for free -- until he received a cease-and-desist letter from Radiohead people. After a campaign in support of Amplive started brewing on YouTube, Radiohead management squared things away and let Amplive distribute his remix versions. Amplive was both overjoyed at the release and apologetic for not asking Radiohead's permission first.
I've listened to some of both albums, and I absolutely love them both. Below are a couple vids comparing them.
Radiohead "Nudez"
Amplive remix
Sounds like the advice of industry folks. While it's no doubt true you want to put your best foot forward in your first album, there's also the need to strike while the iron is hot. The challenge for the artists discovered on YouTube -- Mia Rose is another that comes to mind -- is the huge lag time between being discovered and putting out the album.
Posted by: oakley frogskins | July 16, 2011 at 07:00 PM