Radiohead Sell Full Albums In Mp3

Radiohead, like the Beatles, is one of the last high-profile bands to refuse to sell their music on Apple's iTunes music store. They apparently don't like Apple's practice of selling individual tracks rather than entire albums.

There are currently only three Radiohead songs available on iTunes, all as part of soundtracks and compilations. But head over to 7digital, and you'll find all of Radiohead's albums plus some early singles, available in the 320 Kbps, DRM-free MP3 format.

According to an EMI, Radiohead refuses to distribute via Apple -- even through Apple's DRM-free iTunes Plus store -- entirely because of Apple's policy of selling tracks individually:

Prices are in UK pounds, but 7digital apparently lets you purchase albums from Radiohead, EMI's other artists, and other bands from anywhere in the world using a credit card or Paypal.

Thanks for the info to Blog.wired.com.

Comments

[OneEyedMan]

Any step towards fighting the powers is a good step.

Radiohead is good.

[broken circle]

Radiohead are good, and I agree with their actions.
I can't stand Apple and the strangle hold they have.

[vilhelm_nielsen]

BAM! Awesome...

[Richee]

I don't see any objection to selling individual tracks, unless they want more money from whole album sales... but surely they've got enough money....hmmm. Radiohead are great an all... but this seems a lil stupid.

[zapatista89]

i agree, whats the point in slaving away writing 12 songs when people will just buy like 4

defeats the object

[andersoncouncil]

^They own the music. They probably want people to hear the albums all together like they were intended to be heard. And again, they own the music, as long as it is available for purchase (coughreleaseLP7cough) I don't care.

[andersoncouncil]

that was to Richee

[Comeback Kiddd]

andersoncouncil wrote:

^They own the music. They probably want people to hear the albums all together like they were intended to be heard. And again, they own the music, as long as it is available for purchase (coughreleaseLP7cough) I don't care.

but it leaves people who do not want to buy the full album to download the album illegaly

[Gakusey]

Simple: they don't want stupid people to download just the single or the song they heard on MTV or whatever.

Those of you who have actually listened to all of their albums properly, will agree that to really appreciate the band you need to listen to the entire album, to all the tracks. Only then you really get to appreciate what an awesome and diverse band they are.

[mosh_rocker2006]

How does Apple have a stranglehold?...because they're smart coming out with iTunes get music easily, and the iPod that has changed the way millions of people listen/get their music. Obviously you don't know that the music industry is going digital and that Apple has done a lot of things right...

[gallagher2006]

I've got to say I'm surprised EMI didn't just give the Radiohead tracks away...I mean, how often is it that a record company actually takes to heart what a band wants?

[snakezilla121]

EMI won't give the tracks away because Radiohead is a great band with potential of making them a lot of money. So why would they want to upset them and maybe lose them.

[GrungePb]

Just buy the cds and rip them!

[burndttoast]

snakezilla121, I thought Radiohead isn't with EMI anymore so they can't really lose them.

Gakusey wrote:

Simple: they don't want stupid people to download just the single or the song they heard on MTV or whatever.

Those of you who have actually listened to all of their albums properly, will agree that to really appreciate the band you need to listen to the entire album, to all the tracks. Only then you really get to appreciate what an awesome and diverse band they are.

+1.

Checked.

[gitarzero89]

OK Computer and Kid A wouldn't have quite the impact they have if you only listened to individual songs. Radiohead albums must be heard wholistically. Most of the songs on Kid A fade into each other, and you don't get that with iTunes. I heard a downloaded version of "Dark Side of the Moon" and the little breaks of silence between songs really take away from the album.

I say everyone should just go back to buying the CDs, you get the music AND the album artwork (especially if its a radiohead album) and you get something physical, instead of some formless computer files. And anyway more money goes to the artist. It's their job, they should be paid well for it.