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Apple gives U2 album away for free...thoughts?

tominzingatominzinga Posts: 113
in All Encompassing Trip
Idk if this is the right place to post this but since porch gets the most activity i figured screw it. Im sure most of you heard apple paid U2 for their album and then gave it away free. What does everyone think? With todays dwindling sales I think its great marketing. I mean theyll make a boat load of cash from their tour and whats a better way to promote an album than at an Apple keynote?
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Comments

  • ZodZod Posts: 10,763
    What I was wondering is if every free copy counts as a sale, thus guaranteeing them a #1 album? It's sort of clever. Bands never made that much of albums sales anyways. U2 probably gets a chink for apple then back to its bread and butter of touring.
  • igotid88igotid88 Posts: 28,183
    Zod said:

    What I was wondering is if every free copy counts as a sale, thus guaranteeing them a #1 album? It's sort of clever. Bands never made that much of albums sales anyways. U2 probably gets a chink for apple then back to its bread and butter of touring.

    I wonder how they'll count it since ITunes has over 500 million customers. Will it be counted as 500 million or the actual downloads?
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  • buck502000buck502000 Birthplace of GIBSON guitar Posts: 8,951
    edited September 2014
    you couldn't pay me to take this one. But I did download the new Radiohead app, which has new music from them.
  • quasiquasi Posts: 492
    The one I've been waiting for and a great album...best since Achtung Baby in my opinion. Reminds me of when Radiohead let people pay what they wanted, if anything, for "In Rainbows".
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  • JWPearlJWPearl Posts: 19,893
    I like the album but I think it has to grow on me more and more till I know the lyrics well and it becomes part more of my life
  • timbo1972timbo1972 Posts: 325
    You may download it for free... guessing it wasn't 'free' to Apple. Surely they paid so others can have free...?
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  • EB218946EB218946 Posts: 3,991
    Sweet, thanks U2!
  • EchosNobodyHearsEchosNobodyHears Posts: 583
    I've never been a huge U2 fan. But based on the articles I've been reading, seems like they needed to give it away for free for people to actually get it ;)
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  • GibsonGibson Toronto Posts: 2,654
    Great album -- I'll still buy a hard copy. Call me old fashioned..
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  • BinFrogBinFrog MA Posts: 7,309
    igotid88 said:

    Zod said:

    What I was wondering is if every free copy counts as a sale, thus guaranteeing them a #1 album? It's sort of clever. Bands never made that much of albums sales anyways. U2 probably gets a chink for apple then back to its bread and butter of touring.

    I wonder how they'll count it since ITunes has over 500 million customers. Will it be counted as 500 million or the actual downloads?
    If you go to a record store but do not buy anything, do they count it as a sale?
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  • badbrainsbadbrains Posts: 10,255
    They (U2) def DONT need the money. Bono is worth more then most countries!
  • FrankieGFrankieG Abingdon MD Posts: 9,100
    I downloaded it right before bed last night. The first song was good, but haven't had a chance to listen to the rest.

    I am curious baout the 'total album sales' thing and how it will chart considereing nobody actually bought it.. I'm sure they got paid from Apple though.
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  • PP193448PP193448 Here Posts: 4,282
    How much did Apple pay U2 to perform at the keynote. Gotta be several million. Still awesome to get a free album from such a great band. Thanks Apple and U2.
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  • LowlightLowlight Plymouth, MA Posts: 101
    Brilliant idea, both sides win. Apple gets a bunch of new subscribers (people who sign up for Itunes just to get the album for free and then buy a bunch of other songs) and U2 gets ridiculous exposure, as even non-fans will probably grab it just because it is free, and why not.
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  • jerparker20jerparker20 St. Paul, MN Posts: 2,520
    Just gave it a listen. Not bad.

    Good move by U2.
  • bootlegger10bootlegger10 Posts: 16,101
    Read an article saying it doesn't qualify for RIAA or whatever Billboard tracking is done.
  • halvhalv Posts: 703
    edited September 2014
    So far I think this album is pretty good. In my opinion their best by a long shot since All That You Can't Leave Behind. To do the album justice you have to listen to it on headphones. You can really hear the dynamics of each song that way which I found really lacking through regular speakers. The production is a bit too glossy for my taste however. I wish it was a little dirtier. Had a bit more grit and Larry's drums had more oomph. I thought PJ did a great job with that on Lightning Bolt. Lot's of bottom end.

    As for the way it was released, brilliant. U2 have always been ahead of the game and they see the writing on the wall. Album sales are way down. Not only does this ensure they get the music out to millions of people who normally don't buy albums but they also avoid the embarrassment of lackluster sales which was almost guaranteed. For a band always striving to be the biggest in the world they pulled it off again.

    Post edited by halv on
  • nicknyr15nicknyr15 Posts: 8,790
    edited September 2014
    It's definitely better than a 90 day countdown clock ......
    Post edited by nicknyr15 on
  • bluegracebluegrace Posts: 2,357
    Listening to it now. It's quite good. I realised how much I had missed Bonos voice. And I think it's smart to collaborate with Apple and give away the album for free. Now I'm hoping for a tour and that they come to Sweden this time.
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  • reyrey Monmouth County, NJ Posts: 286
    Would be really nice if tickets to shows on their next tour are available via free download.
  • NamiNami Newfoundland Posts: 5,997
    how do you download this? it says it will be in my library under albums/artists but all i see is my current music.

    DAMN YOU TECHNOLOGY DAMN YOU!

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  • HobbesHobbes Pacific Northwest Posts: 6,433
    Nami said:

    how do you download this? it says it will be in my library under albums/artists but all i see is my current music.

    DAMN YOU TECHNOLOGY DAMN YOU!

    :))

    In iTunes click edit (top left of screen) then preferences then store. There make sure to check the box next to "Show iTunes in the cloud purchases". It should then show up in your library. Enjoy!

  • HesCalledDyerHesCalledDyer Maryland Posts: 16,456
    Great move on both Apple's and U2's parts. And I dig the album, too. I've listened to it once and am half way thru my 2nd pass and I think it has the potential to get even better with each listen. Don't think it will be another Joshua Tree, Achtung Baby, or Pop, but it's definitely better than HTDAAB & NLOTH!
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  • NamiNami Newfoundland Posts: 5,997
    Hobbes said:

    Nami said:

    how do you download this? it says it will be in my library under albums/artists but all i see is my current music.

    DAMN YOU TECHNOLOGY DAMN YOU!

    :))

    In iTunes click edit (top left of screen) then preferences then store. There make sure to check the box next to "Show iTunes in the cloud purchases". It should then show up in your library. Enjoy!

    Thanks Hobbes! got it
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  • helplessdancerhelplessdancer Posts: 5,281
    u2 are rich and i'm old school which means even though i DL'd the new cd i will still buy a hard copy when it hits the shelves. same as zac brown grohl sessions, same as petty's new tour.
    i can't stand owning digital files only of anything.
  • Jason PJason P Posts: 19,165
    Apple paid them $100 million so I think it was a no brainer for U2 with today's weak album sales. And they don't have to be labled as going corporate since they traveled down that path many moons ago.
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  • CM189191CM189191 Posts: 6,927
    Thoughts, I know what I'll be falling asleep to on my next flight....
  • maverickmaverick Posts: 1,233
    Great idea for promotion on both sides. Win win. Apple and U2 get promotion and money.

    Bono's letter on U2.com mentions a follow up Songs of Experience, so I think another LP will be available soon, probably around the tour announcement later this year Dec/Jan. They've had a ton of songs to work with. At the very least it seems like a split double album. Perhaps with the long rumored Songs of Ascent there is a third a year or so off somewhere in the middle of their eventual two year world tour. I'm happy for new U2 music, and I'll still buy the cd in a month when it comes out.
  • justamjustam Posts: 21,412
    Zod said:

    What I was wondering is if every free copy counts as a sale, thus guaranteeing them a #1 album? It's sort of clever.

    I was wondering the same thing.
    Tom petty gave his album away with purchase of a concert ticket and got a #1 that way. This gives U2 an even bigger number for the first week!!
    &&&&&&&&&&&&&&
  • ZodZod Posts: 10,763
    justam said:

    Zod said:

    What I was wondering is if every free copy counts as a sale, thus guaranteeing them a #1 album? It's sort of clever.

    I was wondering the same thing.
    Tom petty gave his album away with purchase of a concert ticket and got a #1 that way. This gives U2 an even bigger number for the first week!!
    I wonder how it would get counted. Just the people that bothered to download it, or does every copy given to every ITunes customer count (regardless if they wanted it or even liked u2 or rock music.. lol). If everyone counts they could shatter records. Aren't there something like 500m iTunes customers. I don't have have an apple device and I have an iTunes account (as there's some HD movies and stuff you can't find on bluray but are in HD on iTunes).
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