Yes, I will be downloading Radiohead's new project today. In Rainbows is available today. I went to the inrainbows.com site last week and named my price. I received my code this morning. I will spend most of the evening listening and re-listening to In Rainbows. Radiohead is apparently conducting an experiment with downloadable music and fan loyalty. The "name your price" feature is for real. The minimum was one pence--about two U.S. cents, I guess--and the maximum was whatever you were willing to pay. I opted for five pounds. The currency converter reported that it was about ten bucks. That's about what I pay on iTunes, so I thought it was a fair price, even bearing in mind the sheer genius of Radiohead. So, I'll let you know what I think, and I'm sure J-Fo and A-Fo as well as a Courter or two will also let me know in the comments section. If you're a fan and you download it, let me know, and let me know how much you paid.
Later today I'm going to try to get in a post about the behavior of the spokesperson for Left Behind: Eternal Forces (hint: he's threatening bloggers with legal action for panning his shitty product. he posted a lengthy response in the comments here last year.) and the NYT's piece about church groups using Halo 3 to reach teens. And thanks to Leighton and Goz for the links on those two pieces.
It is probably relevant that Left Behind Games, Inc.'s stock has plummeted from $7.44 a share in 4Q '06 to less than 50 cents in January '07; shares were going for 12 cents yesterday, and 11 cents today.
Posted by: Leighton | October 10, 2007 at 10:54 AM
I haven't gotten my link yet. I'm coveting so hard it hurts.
I went with 8.85 pounds (around $18), since I figure I'll also download the bonus disc whenever that leaks in December.
Posted by: zalm | October 10, 2007 at 11:36 AM
I downloaded late Tuesday night... the benefits of being on the west coast and still being awake when it was released in the UK in the morning.
I also gave 5 pounds, which is the most (err, anything at all) I've given for an album in a long time. I mean, when its free - can you really just download it without paying? Plus, as you mentioned, its RADIOHEAD. I almost bought the box set, but am hoping someone will buy it for me for Xmas.
I use a website called "LibraryThing" which went to a "name your price" system about a year ago. Since then, they have averaged slightly OVER their former membership price of $25/lifetime.
Posted by: michael | October 10, 2007 at 11:59 AM
I was neck-deep in the worship-machine genre when Radiohead's star was on the rise, so I sadly admit that I've not been exposed to much of their music. Nevertheless, I spent 5 pounds (and one pence, so there) to support the idea, if nothing else. Halfway through the first track, I was hooked. Thanks for the inspiration,
Posted by: Dorsey Marshall | October 10, 2007 at 12:12 PM
Funny, when I read the NYT Halo/youth groups article, I thought, "I wonder what greg would say about this..."
Looking forward to finding out.
Posted by: Jason | October 10, 2007 at 01:06 PM
Btw, can you pay for the new Radiohead record in Left Behind Games, Inc. stock?
If not, in Shrute-bucks?
Posted by: Jason | October 10, 2007 at 01:09 PM
Jason, having listened to the whole album, I can assure you that if you'll sow your best seed-faith gift to Radiohead, you'll get a hundred-fold return in listening pleasure.
Posted by: Dorsey Marshall | October 10, 2007 at 01:21 PM
That's quite an endorsement! Still, I'm kind of on the fence; I've got all of Radiohead's records, but except for parts of The Bends and Kid A, I rarely find myself going back to them.
I realize I'm in a minority here, and that it says more about me and my (lack of) taste than the band.
Posted by: Jason | October 10, 2007 at 03:33 PM
Here's the website for you:
http://www.swordofthelord.com. I think I'll still have to steal a copy of it for you though, I'm not sure the website gives you the whole picture.
Posted by: Amanda | October 10, 2007 at 11:36 PM
omg, do you know how tempted I am to sign up every one of my old bosses for their "new convert" mailing list?
Posted by: Leighton | October 11, 2007 at 12:49 AM
So I just downloaded it and contributed 4 lbs, for a few reasons: most albums, in my biased opinion are probably worth less, especially for a download, but all the $ go directly to Radiohead so they get entire profit (which they deserve). A Radiohead album is probably worth a little more to me but the download is only for 160kbs instead of CD quality unfortunately. I really like the album so far though on first listen. As a side note, I understand Apple's marketing strategy for iTunes but it will take a spectacular event (limited release f/ Sufjan Stevens) for me to buy any music from them again.
Posted by: aaron c | October 11, 2007 at 12:27 PM