Monday.Apr.14.2008
Album Leaks and the Ever Changing Music Industry
By
Thrice's new album The Alchemy Index Vols III & IV is set to be released tomorrow (April 15th); but if you can't wait another day, the album is currently being streamed in it's entirety on the band's myspace. What's the reason behind streaming the entire album just days before it's released? On April 9th the album fell victim to the plague known as the album leak.
Though we all know the music industry has been in a steep decline since the peer 2 peer file sharing networks let the world realise that music can easily be obtained for free, album leaks have taken it a step further. While we've been able to get music for free for some time, we're now coming into a period where we won't even have to wait for the music's supposed release date.
We're now in an age where leaks, despite everything record companies do to prevent them, are common place. Actually, if your album doesn't get leaked it probably means there's something wrong. To not have your album leaked to the masses days, and sometimes months, before the set release date often means that your album just doesn't have enough anticipation surrounding it for people to even give a damn. Because if people give a damn, it's guaranteed your album will be out well before you want it to.
In a world where leaked albums are banal, artists are just going to have to realise there's no reason to make a fuss about it anymore. The White Stripe's Icky Thump was making it's rounds on the 'net three weeks before it's release date. This threw Jack White into a tailspin, eventually leading him to release The Raconteurs sophomore album out of the blue with no warning what so ever. Gnarls Barkley released their second album weeks before it's supposed release date not because of basketball rivalries, but because the album had already been leaked. And the rock band Brand New had their demos leaked to the internet long before they were even complete. This caused front man Jesse Lacey to scrap the majority of the demos in anger, only two of the leaked songs were even featured on the completed album.
I remember the days when album release dates were like holidays. I'd mark them on my calendar and as soon as the school day was over I would rush to the record store to purchase the disc. Once I got home I'd set in front of my stereo and read the fall out as I listened to the album. I guess that means I'm just old fashioned, because it may only be a matter of time before those days will be long gone.
Got a scoop, update, or corrections? Send us a note at news@justpressplay.net
There isn't any comment yet. Be the first!
Have a say
Close [X]