It’s official today: Radiohead’s new album, In Rainbows, is done; and it’s only available from their website. Nice. Even nicer, you can pay whatever you want for it.
Of course, this applies to the digital verison only.
If you want an actual CD, you’ll have to pay them 40 pounds (probably about $80CDN.) The reason it’s so expensive is that it comes with two CDs and two 12″ vinyl records, and the price includes worldwide shipping (so British fans will be happy to know they’re subsidizing the shipping costs for North American and Japanese fans, eh?)
Now… what the f*** am I supposed to do with records? Do I look like Kid Koala?
So, seriously: I’m glad they’ve made new music and I can’t wait to hear it. I’m a little disappointed that I can’t buy a CD. Doesn’t really sound like the future of the music industry to me. Nice try, though.
Why would you want a CD?
I guess I can’t call you a luddite since you don’t want the records (come on you don’t still have a turn table?) but you are disappointed you can’t buy a CD? Stuck in the 80s V…stuck in the 80s….
Ok ok already about the CD. You see… I still have this quaint little thing called a “stereo system”. I’m afraid the sound coming out of my iPod just can’t compare to the sound coming from my Harmon Kardon receiver and Boston Acoustics speakers. I’m not an audiophile, but I do like to occassionally fill my living space with sound of a decent quality. A digital download is not going to cut it, even if I burn it to a CD. (Just in case I’m wrong about that, I’m gonna check with my friend the Reverend Gary Alexander: he’ll know for sure.)
And the Reverend Alexander says!
“Ok, here it comes, straight and simple, answer….nope, there will be no love there.
Here is the long answer: after many, many layers of compression(from actual mastering of the CD to the final mp3 format) lots of nuances are lost forever. I’ve downloaded mp3s that are 320kbps, and although the sound is much better on my iPod, it does nothing for my speakers at home. No audio space.
The file format just does not compare to your usual AIFF which is what is on the CD. Even the Apple lossless… none of that is meant to be heard on Boston Acoustics, or Meridian or Vandersteen… speakers (you can tell I’m a bit pissed about it) But then again, I grew up in the era of audiophiles… and LPs, so maybe I’m a snob.
So, if for nothing else but the convenience, I burn CDs of my mp3s and play them in the car. If you are looking for the beautiful sound experience, you’ll be disappointed. But if you want to be able to turn it up and walk around your place, then it’s worth it.”
Thanks, Gary.