Prince to give new album away free.
 

And the record stores are FURIOUS...

http://business.guardian.co.uk/story/0,,2114557,00.html

The Entertainment Retailers Association said the giveaway "beggars belief". "It would be an insult to all those record stores who have supported Prince throughout his career," ERA co-chairman Paul Quirk told a music conference. "It would be yet another example of the damaging covermount culture which is destroying any perception of value around recorded music.

"The Artist Formerly Known as Prince should know that with behaviour like this he will soon be the Artist Formerly Available in Record Stores. And I say that to all the other artists who may be tempted to dally with the Mail on Sunday."

This takes a lot for me to say, but I think we've found a group more clueless than the RIAA....

lol

dola... they have supported him throughout his career?

again, lol

How is he distributing it?

Sunday newspapers.

I'm still going to download it illegally.

This is in the UK (as if the "beggars belief" line didn't clue you in already). It would be distributed with a copy of the Daily Mail.

So, its not really "free" is it.

i thought his most recent album was 3121?

whats planet earth? like the tv show?

I can see record stores they being pissed off, if they've already bought several copies of it, only to find out it's being given away free.

that's the same price I pay for all my albums

How much will he pay me to listen to it?

This is what it sounds like when stores cry.

FTW

The people are going to be pissed when they realize each paper comes with a different bonus track.

I don't believe that's the case, since Sony UK has now withdrawn from the distribution deal for the album. In other words, I don't believe at this point they're even going to try to sell it in shops in the UK, hard copies will strictly be available (pardon the pun) "by Mail".

Pretty bold statement since record stores are becoming Former Record Stores.

Nice ploy. Better if it's not a bad album.

Thank you very much for putting that song in my head.

I can get a copy of The Watchtower for free anywhere...

I love the pirat... err.. "free music" people jumping all over this like it's a great victory or something. I think this is a lot better descriptor.

SI

I think its a great move. Distributors, RIAA, and the entire freaking industry have sucked the blood from artists for decades. its time they learned how to run a proper business model instead of crying when the artists finally stand up for themselves.

Fixed that for you.

Like wise, I'm sure.

This could go on all day

SI