So, The Verve are back again. Having released a teaser Jam session (the "Thaw Session") last year free through NME, toured the UK at the back end of last year (which I didn't manage to see) and backed that up with various festical appearances this year, there is a new single and a new album out very soon. A good reason to start blogging again.
Love Is Noise official video
The new album, Forth, to me confirms where the money is in music these days. Aside from touring, established bands are cashing in on fans who will pay for their music by issuing attractive limited editions.
The Verve release their new album in a number of formats, including vinyl for the purists and a Limited Deluxe Edition Box-Set (which has the CD, a DVD, and the entire album issued as a download delivered before 25th August release date and an instant download of 'Love is Noise' (Recorded live from Glastonbury '08). All for £40. Being a music nut I obviously went for this one. I'm still trying to get the instant download to work.
Radiohead did a similar trick with In Raindows, as well as issuing the album for free (or for a donation of up to £99.99), they offered a limited edition box set for £40. Later, they issued a normal physical release of the record.
The Charlatans issued their excellent album You Cross My Path as well as a single or two through Xfm, before releasing a limited deluxe version of the album with Live Bonus Disc. They hoped fans, like me, would buy the deluxe version. I did. I probably would have done even if it was a poor album, but actually giving the music away for free made me more interested in hearing it and getting into it.
The band who has taken this concept to the extreme I think is Nine Inch Nails. They released Ghosts I - IV, a 36 track instrumental album available in a number of different formats and forms, including a free download of the first volume, a $5 digital download, a $10 double CD set, a $75 deluxe edition set, and a $300 Ultra-Deluxe limited edition package, which sold out all 2500 copies.
I am not a great fan of Nine Inch Nails, but I was tempted by the limited edition set anyway! I got the free download thinking about getting the rest, but never really got into it. The next album, The Slip was also available free. I got that but didn't get it either. Oh well - that is the diversity of music for you.
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