so, when the album leaks

[shark22]

how many of you will download? i want to wait...i really want to wait, but i don't know if i will be able to handle it.

I will probably download it. I go to concerts to support the bands I like. $20 for a cd is a sin.

 

[S4R]

downloading is morally reprehensible.

 

[S4R]

WWJD

 

[Evan84]

Jesus would use iTunes and Napster.

 

[flu boy]

downloading is morally reprehensible.

:Spin: :Spin: :Spin:
You can be right like me
With God in the hole you're a righteous soul
I got a halo round me
I got a halo round me
I'm not the same as you Cos I've seen the light

...and I'm gaining in height
Now I got a halo round me
I got a halo round me
I got a halo round my head
:Spin: :Spin: :Spin:

 

[Botfly]

Thank God for Jesus

 

[Evan84]

dunno bout that, but he uses Word for sure

What kind of divine being would have to wear glasses?

 

[Risquit]

Sorry to take it off track, I've only read this page and the first page - which I found of some interest. Something to the effect of people not downloading the album out of respect for the band.

I am all for supporting bands you like and think are worth supporting, however the interesting issue here is not being able to try before you buy. Its not as if Opeth are played on any of my local radio stations in any regular way (or in anyway, infact), so how can you tell whether its worth buying?

Music (and to an extent, movies etc) belongs in a limited category goods in which fans (consumers) do not necessarily know the quality of said good, before they buy it. Most things you purchase on a regular basis, come with guarantees of quality, where as music, clearly does not. I admit, an artist has to work to gain respect and earn a fan base, thus pushing most of the risk of a sale upon themselves. However, established artists seem to be indemnified from releasing a wrath of shit upon fans (see St Anger, although in this case i use the term fan, loosely) . Thus my point, why should we not be able to try before we buy? Enjoying the album and not buying it, is a different issue all together, but I can't see a problem with finding out if something is any good or not.

So until artists are willing to return my money for albums that blatantly suck balls (see Slayer, Metallica, Sepultura, Mayhem, Burzum, Emperor, Xasthur, Grand Belial's Key) you name the band, they probably released at least one shit album), I don't think its my duty to support them until I know they are worth it, ESPECIALLY at up to $40 bucks a CD, which for someone over in Aus on min wage, is 2.5hrs work.

Dude, I see what you're saying, but you do realize that amazon.com, for example, allows you to listen to samples of every song on the albums they sell. That's how I decided to buy Deadwing even though I already liked Porcupine Tree.

Read reviews from writers you trust, come to the forums for more opinions, and listen to samples. Minimizes risk.

 

[byrne]

As far as pre-internet, not being able to "try before you buy" goes, that is a whole different story.

People tape/lp traded a lot more than they do now (it was a means of trying out new music without forking our for a whole new album), taped shit off the radio and generally supported local bands a lot more (well where I am from atleast). Secondly, underground music has become a million times the size it would have than if there were no internet - so if you are arguing from an artists position, its helped them more than its hampered them. For example, EVERYONE I know that got into Opeth, downloaded it first, so its not ALL bad.

Lastly, samplers are crap for two reasons
1. Poor quality sound
2. Its only part of a song. I could download a sample of Master's Apprentice, which captures the first two minutes of the song, and not realise how boring the rest of the 8mins actually is.

And like I said, trying is different to enjoying and not buying.