U2 aims to take advantage of internet and misses

U2 aims to take advantage of internet and misses
Around a year ago U2's manager was telling anyone who would listen that the internet freeloaders were destroying the music industry. Apparently those freeloaders have magically turned into prospective customers. Following in the steps of pioneers like Trent Reznor and Radiohead, U2 will be giving away the first single from their new album.

The single, called "Get On Your Boots," will be available for free download on February 15. The album will be in stores on March 2 in several forms. There will be a CD, 3 different limited edition CDs with various extras including booklets and downloadable content, and even a vinyl version.



What's strangely missing are packages centered around downloads, perhaps in a high quality format like FLAC. Apparently they haven't learned quite as much as it looks like at first. Perhaps they're still hoping to "catering to people who want to hear music "through big speakers rather than ear buds," as their manager suggested last year.

The only problem is those people listening to ear buds are the ones buying music. The reason Trent Reznor and Radiohead made piles of money from new business models was because they gave consumers something they were clamoring for. People can already get CDs. They want something different.

And some of us have big speakers connected to a media center PC.

Written by: Rich Fiscus @ 6 Feb 2009 1:59
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  • 8 comments
  • blueboy09

    If you offer it, they will come. The music industry is changing and artists need to adapt to those changes, including digital content. Giving st least a digital single is one step towards a bigger fanbase, although they really need to do what Radiohead and TR are doing if want to be competitive in the long run IMAO.

    6.2.2009 04:25 #1

  • Mez

    Firstly, my ear buds reproduce tones down to 5 Hz. My 60 lb 4 Ohm speakers can only reproduce one Hz less. Mp3 players are capible of delivering HiFi. I know ear buds can't vibrate my whole body like good speakers but then the whole building does not have to listen to your music.

    Too bad they did not 'get' the concept like Radiohead did. I would be happy to drop 5 USD on HiFi down load of a CD. I would not pay anything for 128 BR music. I bet they only realize 10-20 cents of the CD sale. They are still huge morons!

    6.2.2009 08:13 #2

  • Hopium

    this internet freeloader bought reznors limited edition slip thats right beside the free download link :D

    this is the formats NIN offers for free

    high-quality MP3s (87 mb)

    will play in any MP3 player. encoded with LAME at V0, fully tagged.
    recommended for most users.

    the files will arrive as a zip archive. in most cases, double-clicking the zip file will open it. if you need more help with zip files, go here.
    FLAC lossless (259 mb)

    CD quality - will not play in itunes or many other popular media players. (more info)
    recommended only for advanced users.

    this link will download a small .torrent file, which you must open with a torrent application in order to download the audio files. visit this site for information about using torrents.
    FLAC high definition 24/96 (942 mb)

    better-than-CD-quality 24bit 96kHZ audio - will not play in itunes or many other popular media players. (more info)
    recommended only for advanced users.

    this link will download a small .torrent file, which you must open with a torrent application in order to download the audio files. visit this site for information about using torrents.
    M4A apple lossless (263 mb)

    CD quality - will play in itunes. (more info)
    recommended only for advanced users.

    this link will download a small .torrent file, which you must open with a torrent application in order to download the audio files. visit this site for information about using torrents.
    high definition WAVE 24/96 (1.5 gb)

    better-than-CD-quality 24bit 96kHz audio (more info)

    for advanced audiophiles only! although you will be able to play these files with most players that support WAVE format, you will not get any benefits from the higher resolution audio unless you have extremely high-end audio equipment. if you're not familiar with 24/96 audio, this download is not recommended.

    this link will download a small .torrent file, which you must open with a torrent application in order to download the audio files. visit this site for information about using torrents.


    TORRENTS ARE FOR PIRATES TRENT REZNOR IS TEH PIRATE!!!

    6.2.2009 10:13 #3

  • techer

    How much money do you need Bono, every concert I have seen you guys play at has 50k people at it. I use to really idolize this band but its seems they are not into it for the music anymore , just for the money. You can't sell cds so you will do what ever it takes.


    No longer a U2 Fan

    6.2.2009 10:44 #4

  • emugamer

    Radiohead and Trent are musicians that continue to hone their craft after all these years. They experiment with their instruments and give their fans new material. You can hear how they evolved over the years by sequentially flipping through their catalog. They are closer to their fans because of this. They write and compose music for their fans. This is why they understand the semantics and potential of online distribution (or at least they are learning faster).

    U2 is not at all like these artists. They are a money making machine - a "corporate" band in the sea of "mom and pop" artists, and their fans are nothing more than dollar signs on a chart. U2 is a formula band that spits out pop dribble. Even fans have to admit that - although they may replace the term "pop dribble" with something like "catchy tunes." I was a U2 fan in the late 80's - early 90's. Of course, I was in my early teens and discovering all different styles. I still think their original stuff is great, but their lack of originality and growth as musicians turned me off years ago. Do I think they suck? - no. They obviously have talent to get this far. They just know how to package the same stuff in nicer wrapping paper each time. Their music is about the money, which is why they don't understand what their fans want. They probably plug all ideas into a spreadsheet, and if the ideas don't project an increase in profits by a certain margin, then they kill it.

    I still think their original stuff is great. But nowadays, I would categorize them with the Pussycat Dolls, Coldplay and the Black Eyed Peas. They're just entertainers who sold their soul to obtain the magic formula that can turn the same chord progression into a "new and fresh" song for the masses.

    6.2.2009 12:33 #5

  • DXR88

    those glasses look gay so does the facial expression.

    6.2.2009 23:35 #6

  • ZippyDSM

    Meh he looks ok to me, and I like U2, but the trouble comes down to the media mafia and its cohorts turning consumers into "social pirates".

    7.2.2009 01:58 #7

  • DXR88

    Originally posted by ZippyDSM: Meh he looks ok to me, and I like U2, but the trouble comes down to the media mafia and its cohorts turning consumers into "social pirates".Need a better Picture.

    8.2.2009 14:06 #8

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