"Nearly one third of all of Radiohead's fans paid essentially nothing for their copy of In Rainbows.

According to a BBC survey, 29 percent of all fans who downloaded In Rainbows (review) paid either nothing or 1p for the record. The band self-released that album through its website, dubbing it a "social experiment," in allowing fans to name their own price for the record." -Aversion.com

Remember when I said that Radiohead was releasing their album on the internet for a "buy-it-for whatever" and then give you the option for an $80 box set?

Well, it slightly backfired. Only slightly. Well, maybe not so slightly.

Not only are the fans of Radiohead jipping Radiohead out of hard earned money...but their also griping about something so insignificant even your younger brother with OCD and a degree in Tabloids wouldn't notice it.

"Some Radiohead fans feel as if the band sold them a bill of goods with the downloads to In Rainbows.

Fans took to the online message boards with beef about the bitrate at which their copies of In Rainbows downloads were recorded, 160Kbps, despite the fact that industry standard is 128 Kbps for most download sites, including all but iTunes' premium music files." Aversion.com

Well, it seems a magical tug-o'-war of cause and effect has unearthed magically on the unicorn steed of the underground. Cause: Radiohead offers ONLINE ONLY dowloadable music for a price of your heart's content TRUSTING you will acknowledge their blessings upon the underground musical world and give them a nice tip, at least one pleasing to a Delivery Boy...other than that, spend $80 on a spiffed up box set.

Effect: A third of their fans say "fuck you! free shit!" and buy hard musical vibrations for virtually $0 - $2.50 (yes, this means you as well, Papa). They enjoy this new bonanza of the $15 of money bills by spending it on either junk food or pot. HURRAH!

But is it possible Radioheads cruel rebel-ity is still showing, hidden in their steeds wind-blown mane? Does the rainbow really lead to a pot of gold with Radiohead's name on it in sparkles?

Possibly so. They might actually be smart.

Possible Effect #2: Radiohead forsees this problem. They know that the only people who will pay little or no money are silly little pre-teen scensters who dared to be "different" and downloaded it unto their iPods so everyone can say "Oh wow! What an eclectic music choice!". They also know that these same people would be quite pissed off about miniscule things...par example: a broken nail. Big bitrates, damaged keratin...tomato, tahmahto.....Thus, Radiohead has screwed the ones we HeadHeads loathe. HURRAH IN YOUR FUCKING FACE.

I have to say my position has flipped regarding In Rainbows. Apparently, Radiohead knows what they are doing. 

The karma police have struck again.   

Until I actually read the article:

A second option allows fans to get their hands on a physical "discbox" copy, which includes not only a CD version of the album, but In Rainbows on two heavyweight vinyl pressings, assorted liner notes and artwork all bound up in a hardback binding. The only down side? It'll set you back $81.75, shipping included, barring the dollar doesn't devalue any further before you order it. Physical copies will begin shipping on or before Dec. 3." -Averison Daily News.

A couple things wrong with this: the first one, and the most obvious...*ahem*...EIGHTY FUCKING DOLLARS FOR A VINYL RECORD!!!??? That is a far cry from the original prices of a vinyl, not to mention the inflated costs of CD's today even. And if it has to do with a the extra little ditties they included in packaging....why is it there? I thought Radiohead was a little less commercial than that. Just give me the music and that's enough...especially since it's Radiohead (they're a mind trip).

The other thing that struck me as odd was the whole "releasing it online". Not everyone has a computer or, (like my current situation) a computer that doesn't crash at the sight of a download.

So Radiohead gave us an altamatum...: be digital or pay us your shit. This is something I would never see Radiohead pulling off, especially since it's self released....but whatever. I guess I'll just shut up and deal and let the Karma Police take care of them.

Moment of the Day:

In English class, some context from the Greek Tragedy, Oedipus Rex:

"I am sure he knows very well how the two of us grazed our flocks on Cithaeron--he had two and I only one--we were together three whole summers from spring until the rising of Arcturus in the fall."

And then Stormie says: "Brokeback Mountain."

And here's a Quotie:

Sofi: Brittani! Look!
Brittani: What?
Sofi: Ball bearings! YAY!

In the immortal words of Yesenia: "You masterbate from him, don't you, Sofija?"

Yes. Yes I do. And I am proud.

........

"COME DIAGNOSE MY MULTIPLE FREAK CASES, HOUSE!!!! I'll be your team."

Damnit.