# Hmmmm....

- Site: Analog Industries
- Author: Chris Randall
- Date: 2008-04-01
- URL: https://analogindustries.com/2008/04/hmmmm/

On the one hand, I find the recent decisions by Radiohead to be mostly cool, as you all no doubt know. The "pay what you want" model for "In Rainbows" obviously didn't hurt them in the slightest, and the "live" concert they did as a webcast and on Current was a stroke of genius. (It doesn't hurt that the album is really fucking good, either.)

I have to say that this Nude remix thing on iTunes is kind of foul, though. We'll set aside the inherent humor of a bunch of poor Garage-Band-driving saps trying to "remix" a song that is in 6/8 for the now (are there even any included AppleLoops in 6/8?), and focus on the fact that they're charging for the stems. Personally, I don't think this is cricket, but maybe I'm old-fashioned. Granted, it's only five bucks, but even so, in a situation that is fundamentally aimed at the amateur/hobbyist, this smacks of taking advantage of fans' largesse. I would expect it of Guns 'n' Roses or My Chemical Romance or some other stupid shit like that, but not Radiohead.

It is, in short, not cool. In that, it goes directly against what they've been trying to achieve in the last year and a half. Just my opinion. YMMV as always. Perhaps it is cool after all and I'm missing something.

## Comments (10)

**creature** (2008-04-01):

I agree. Charging for the stems is a bit lame. I think NIN had this idea right.

Steve

**johan** (2008-04-01):

Nope it's bang out of order - truly uncool...... Plus RH is one of those bands who can afford to use un-commercial but cool remixers rather then the usual FM - radio house wankers. I much prefer that then this possibly amusing but more probably very lame stunt.

**larsby** (2008-04-01):

NIN did it right, but one band that truly shines is Beastie Boys. at http://www.beastieboys.com/remixer/ they've released 32 of their trax as acapellas.

I think that this is a form of advertisement, and I really dont like to pay for advertisement.

**brandon daniel** (2008-04-01):

Nope, my initial reaction was the same as yours. This runs counter to the business model they've been working towards, and is a major party-foul. In general, open remix kits exist to give extra value to your hardcore fans, monetizing it feels completely wrong.

**puffer** (2008-04-01):

The whole Apple co-branding thing also raises my ire. They especially don't need a co-sponsor for this sort of endeavor

**Bounte** (2008-04-01):

I think it's actually become quite common to charge for remix stems, especially from high-profile artists like Moby. Or else a few few lame free stems are provided, but you have to buy any additional "premium" stems.

**threeone** (2008-04-01):

it is shit.. and boring...[[ as was the non-advertisement of the download bit rate for the album,]] the bummer is that ( as said) the album is rather good..RH should have a better head.. its not like they need the $/promotion/or 5000 crap remixes out there..
dont understand the decision on any level..the stems will be up on a p2p by now ... beastie boys/nin now theres some thinkers.

..id want to avoid at every opportunity being lumped in with same category as moby.

.weirdness increasing..

**lordkook** (2008-04-01):

Beatport has been charging for remix tools since their inception : They charged for the stems from the Sasha and Moby remix contests, and I bet they will continue to do so for all their contests. I don't have a huge problem with this, as the tracks available from Beatport were all offered at 320k. Radiohead, however, is charging for stems in .m4a, with the possibility to a link to mp3s if you're fast enough. That's just *dumb*...

**quantize** (2008-04-01):

The really horrible part will be the results (granted, there'll be some good remixes return also) but on the whole i think the process soils the music...there's nothing as depressing as hearing some limp unimaginative remix using 'liquid' audio loops thrown in and no feel for rhythm and groove...

big mistake guys.

**antix2** (2008-04-01):

April Fools Sucker! Everyone knows music is free. Fucking greedy rockstars...