Radiohead Denies “Wholly Inaccurate” Sales Figures, Ready “In Rainbows” CDs, First Single

11/8/07, 6:46 pm EST

When they weren’t teasing us with a Webcast that’s taking forever to play on our computers, Radiohead were very busy making other headlines today. For one, the band’s management attacked a widely cited report by comScore claiming that 62 percent of people who downloaded In Rainbows didn’t pay a cent. “In response to purely speculative figures announced in the press regarding the number of downloads and the price paid for the album, the group’s representatives would like to remind people that, as the album could only be downloaded from the band’s website, it is impossible for outside organisations to have accurate figures on sales,” the statement reads, adding that the band “confirm that the figures quoted by the company comScore Inc are wholly inaccurate and in no way reflect definitive market intelligence or, indeed, the true success of the project.”

In other news, it’s been confirmed that the CD and vinyl release of In Rainbows will become available in non-North American music stores on December 31st. The album’s ninth track, “Jigsaw Falling Into Place,” will also serve as the first single, which will be released on January 14th. No details regarding the single’s B-sides or formats have been announced. The CD and vinyl In Rainbows will hit shelves a little more than three weeks after the discbox — which costs $80 and contains the CD, vinyl and a bonus disc — hits mailboxes on or around December 3rd.


Comments

Anthony Pittarelli | 11/11/2007, 1:13 am EST

i did, i paid 8 dollars and actually dont know anyone who didnt pay for it

Mattitutus | 11/10/2007, 1:45 pm EST

Firstly, IN MY OPINION, this is an absolute cracker of an album. Anyone who disagrees should try listening to it again and take it for it is, rather than comparing it to previous albums.
Secondly, releasing it the way they have is a genius publicity stunt. Radiohead are the first band to truly stick their middle finger up at the greedy record labels, and will no doubt reap their financial reward with their live lets (which is where bands make most of the money anyway). They also have recognised that there is no way music sharing can be stopped. When it comes out on physical format they will probably put bonus tracks /dvds to encourage everybody to buy it anyway! Why can’t everybody stop complaining?

Chris | 11/10/2007, 11:45 am EST

I paid for the album and am quite happy to pay for the box when it comes out. For those who didn’t- whatever, and I feel Radiohead probably don’t give a shit either. They make their money on the road and you can bet their tour next summer will show that. And, I’m sorry, but In Rainbows is a great record, full of great songs. If you were hoping for a Bends 2 like every other meat head still pining for the glory days of grunge, tough crap, its over. Music, and Radiohead, moves on.

Ricardo Luna | 11/10/2007, 11:12 am EST

Sorry I meant NOT repeating themselves.

Ricardo Luna | 11/10/2007, 11:10 am EST

Heres to the haters! When one of the negative people who write “worst album, worst song” comments show us their songs to be better then your opinion will matter. until then remember this is a band creating! I might like some older songs better but I also love these songs and there is no “better” its just DIFFERENT SONGS! Im glad the songs are different because they are repeating themselves.

Brandon Smith | 11/10/2007, 10:00 am EST

Most people I know paid about 8 to $10.

Unfortunately, the album is a real stinker, and is only worth about a buck.

OK Computer is one of the great albums of all time, but they’ve been downhill since then, and this new album is dreadful. Lucky for them, all the media attention is focused on the method and amount of payment.

Al | 11/10/2007, 8:13 am EST

I have not payed for it on the 10th of october, but i ordered a discbox for 80$. But i still think that this is their worst album.

Michael | 11/10/2007, 1:28 am EST

I know at least 7 people who all paid for it. Two of us paid $10 (because that’s what a good album is worth) and the others paid at least $2.

yytehgd | 11/9/2007, 11:26 pm EST

lol @ making the worst song on the album the single.

This is all so inane... | 11/9/2007, 8:00 pm EST

Radiohead actually captured revenue off of the initial leak all albums have. They’re still going to release a physical CD and its still going to sell like hotcakes. The numbers may be right to a certain point. I downloaded the disc and I didn’t pay a dime for the download. I paid for the discbox and got the download for free. I imagine a lot of people did the same. What is it with journalists talking out their asses so often these days?

denial | 11/9/2007, 2:33 pm EST

SVUF, why are you assuming they screwed up? Show me proof, and make sure its not some made up numbers from websites that have no way of measuring the sales of Radioheads new album.

rachey | 11/9/2007, 11:37 am EST

I believe the point in releasing the album online with user-decided price was to get as many people listening to it as possible, thus negating the apparent need for record label support, overpriced CDs, and even P2P distribution. THEY DID IT THEMSELVES AND IT WORKED.

People are going to share and download music for free, regardless of how much a band is charging (and the minuscule percentage of that price that goes to the band in profit); Radiohead decided to adapt to reality instead of trying to shape reality to their will, as the record companies are trying - failing - to do.

artsy poseur | 11/9/2007, 10:53 am EST

I tough they din’t care, but they are turning in to another 90s act struggling to stay on top.

Where are the Radiohead fans?

SVUF | 11/9/2007, 10:06 am EST

Why are they denying that they had actually screwed-up by having people pay what they want to download Radiohead’s newest album? Let’s face it: anytime you give people an inch, they will certainly take a mile!! They don’t me wrong, it’s a nice gesture (or possibly a publicity stunt went wrong?), but anytime you give the public a choice to pay any price they want for downloading music, of course they will try to get for free!! With certain publicity stunts (if that’s what Radiohead was trying to do), you don’t make money!!

Jeremiah | 11/9/2007, 3:08 am EST

So… how many people DID actually pay something for it?

Post A Comment

Caution: Off-topic comments will be deleted

Name:

Comments: