KEY POINTS:
I wish I had an old Commodore 64, or a brick cell phone lying round at home to get rid of. I can just imagine the delight of the thousands who purged their old computer waste during e-Day last weekend.
It looked pretty orderly though, with the computer
monitors, hard drives and printers shrink-wrapped on to trolleys and whatnot. It's far more fun going to the dump, backing your trailer in, lifting the monitor above your head, throwing it into the concrete pit and delighting in the meaty smash. Sorry, that's irresponsible, especially nowadays. But, to paraphrase the great Bob Dylan, the times and technology they are A-changin'.
This week Radiohead raised a few middle fingers to the music industry when they announced they would be selling their new album, In Rainbows, as a digital download on their website. Fans can choose how much, if anything, they want to pay for the album which will be available from Radiohead.com on October 10.
There's more to this Radiohead ploy, but first, when it comes to the saying "out with the old, in with the new", I'm torn. I listen to my iPod for between one and two hours a day during the week (depending on commuting time). But I'm also a sucker for the old vinyl format - I know, they still make them, but best of all, people get rid of their old records and that means there's bargains to be had.
Instead of plugging the iPod into my stereo at home - unless it's a party - I play records and CDs. I'm still a sucker for a CD too. In terms of sound it doesn't get much better, although with time I'm sure digital will improve too.
A group of us fellas have a vinyl club where we get together like a bunch of geeks and play our new purchases, or our prized gems from yesteryear, over a few beers.
In New Plymouth recently I called into second hand store Chadz where there is always a good selection of old records, and picked up Stevie Wonder's 1974 classic Fulfillingness' First Finale for $10 (the record needs a bit of work but the high gloss cover is immaculate) and the Pixies' Bossanova for $5. Bargains.
Anyway, to continue with the Radiohead story, it's great to hear they are not dispensing with old-style formats altogether. After all, they made their money out of physical sales of landmark albums like The Bends and OK Computer. They are using the free digital download to market - or perhaps encourage is the best word - buying a box set version of In Rainbows, complete with two vinyl albums and other goodies, or the CD copy of the album which is released early next year.
Plus, following the downturn in physical album sales, the live music scene has taken off again and Radiohead are banking on the interest created by the album selling concert tickets. It doesn't get any more old school than a gig.
The Charlatans, who were never as big as Radiohead but have a hardcore fan base in Britain (their album Some Friendly is a classic), also believe tickets sales and merchandise are where the money is. As a result they are releasing their as yet untitled new album for free too.
The band's manager, Alan McGee, the bloke who discovered Oasis, reckons teenagers don't buy CDs anymore so "I just came to the conclusion, 'Why don't we just give it away for nothing"', he told the Independent.
One wonders if he thought about whether the young ones will actually want to listen to a bunch of old Brit-pop guys with foppish fringes, but at least they won't have to pay for it.
And, in other, er, innovative music news, American hard rockers Mudvayne are releasing a fan-generated album where fans can choose from a selection of the band's live recordings, rarities, and demos. The working title for the project is Snakes On A Plane.
Finally, I'm looking forward to Sunday morning. Croissants, coffee, and even a cheeky glass or three of sauvignon blanc are on the menu when the All Blacks take on France at 8am. But the bubbly is on ice because I remember 1999 too well. Go the ABs.
