I don’t know if I’m properly using the term “leak” correctly or not, but any time an album that I don’t receive directly as an advance from the label reaches my ears before I can buy it…I consider it a leak. Tonight, the new Modest Mouse album We Were Dead Before The Ship Even Sank joined the list of albums that are available for previewing before their release date.
I’ve had a million conversations about this topic and the fact remains that if a band puts out a quality album, I’m going to buy it regardless of the fact that it’s on my iPod. I’m a sucker for the complete package…I can’t help but wonder if I’m the minority where that’s concerned though.
TRACKLIST:
01. March Into the Sea
02. Dashboard
03. Fire It Up
04. Florida
05. Parting of the Sensory
06. Missed the Boat
07. We’ve Got Everything
08. Fly Trapped in a Jar
09. Education
10. Little Motel
11. Steam Engenius
12. Spitting Venom
13. People as Places as People
14. Invisible
Kip’s curious: If you find an album online before its release date, do you still buy it when it’s released if it’s good?
February 16, 2007 at 12:54 am
you’re not alone…sitting down analyzing an album with the lyrics and packaging forces you to concentrate and absorb the music
February 16, 2007 at 4:07 am
Definitely. For one thing, ‘leaked’ versions can often change by the time they arrive via the actual release…for another, I miss having the packaging, liner notes, lyrics, etc. They just add to the experience in some way. Plus, half the bands I love have totally indecipherable singing styles, so if I really want to know what they’re saying I need the booklet, hehe.
February 16, 2007 at 4:13 pm
For myself if an album is really good I will buy it even after getting it through technology sources way before the release date. I actually did buy the last modest mouse album after having a “leaked version” for 2 months.
In my experience most people who get downloaded albums and don’t buy them never would buy the record in the first place. They would have copied them off a friend or whatnot.
I just d/l this new modest mouse. It’s good, so far. Better than I expected.
February 16, 2007 at 5:26 pm
Record companies are trying to give consumers more than just a cd and a cd case when purchased.
We can think of Beck’s The Information that contained stickers allowing you to design your own cover, or TOOL’s 10,000 days, featuring some sort of wacky optical illusions.
By packaging cds that way, with some sort of bonus so to speak, i will definately dish out the cash.
February 18, 2007 at 3:54 pm
Just got the album from net, amazingly good stuff, Spiting Venom is actually one of best tracks of MM i’ve heard so far, People as Places as People is equal. Definately will buy the album when it comes, not because of the lyrics, booklets etc. but because i owe it to the band, they have prepared load of excellent music, its my obligation to pay for their effort. I just couldnt wait another month
February 18, 2007 at 5:30 pm
Mateusz: Thanks for taking the time to comment…much appreciated!
I’m really enjoying the album as well. Rock Sellout’s very own David Morley will be posting a review soon.
February 19, 2007 at 7:37 pm
i’ve got the album now, but i’m definitely going to go out and buy it march 20th. i love modest mouse, and i want to support their music. but it’s nice to be able listen to it now, especially since it’s original release date was in early december!
March 1, 2007 at 6:42 am
If I enjoy it, I buy it. I’m into the whole package thing too – especially when a band or artist takes time to create really unique packaging (artwork.)
There are a couple of bands that I got into in this way – a big example is the Eels. Three of their albums I burned from a friend, ended up really digging it, and bought those albums (and almost every other one they’ve released to date.)
Long story short – aye I will buy Modest Mouse’s new one. It’s worth the price of admission.