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Timesinks

More perfect price discrimination courtesy of Metric!

Just yesterday I wrote about an example of extreme price discrimination. As cool as it was, I didn't actually spend money because as good as Josh is, I'm not a big fan or anything. I just thought the story was cool.

Last November, however, I wrote about the new album coming out for a band I do care about - Metric!

Before we get into the sales - there's even a freebie. An acoustic version of the new single "Help I'm Alive" is available as a free download. It's very different in its own way - listening to the 'real' version I can imagine the missing echo of the acoustic version's supporting vocals. Interesting.

They've been offering pre-ordering for a while now - turns out the digital download copy of "Help I'm Alive" is about a minute longer than the radio edit people have heard so far. But now comes the musical marketplace's version of shock and awe:

The name of the album has been confirmed - they announced it's called Fantasies.

And check out the "menu" of delicious options, ranging from a pure digital download ($7.99), 3 combinations of CD, digital download and vinyl ranging from $15.99 to $36.99, and the super deluxe $64.99 limited deluxe edition featuring the following:

  • Limited to 500 sales
  • Personally signed autographs from all band members
  • Set of 6 (4x6") high-quality postcards featuring "Hollywood in Cambodia" imagery and personal messages from band members (comes as one 12x12" print that can be poster-ized or cut as individual postcards)
  • High quality 12x12" collage print of band photos taken throughout the creation of Fantasies (from inspiration to live shows)
  • Bonus, new studio track, "Waves", not available in any other package
  • 7 inch "Help I'm Alive" vinyl, including the exclusive "Help I'm A B-Side" B-side, and a Metric logo sticker
  • Metric VIP Fan Pass - a limited edition laminate that brings you early and sometimes exclusive access to unique offers from the band
  • Deluxe, hardcover digipack CD, exclusively available at ilovemetric.com and live performances
  • 180g, 12 inch, gatefold album vinyl and 12x12" print featuring "Hollywood in Cambodia" artwork
  • Full-color album artwork booklet and liner notes
  • Immediate download of "Waves", a brand new studio track not available in any other package, "Help I'm Alive" (album version), and 2 other exclusive pre-order tracks.

Oh, and those are US dollars, unfortunately, but oh well, they've worked hard for them.

Despite that boourns to not using the weaker currency of the Great White North, I call awesome again on the whole idea.

I'll be listening to a few new mp3's on repeat-loop tomorrow!

Ironically one of my junior colleagues asked me yesterday whether it's ok to have headphones on in the office.

Despite what Francine may feel is appropriate, yes, it is.

Tomorrow's going to be awesome on so many levels.

I was going to embed the video on Metric's site but it doesn't seem to be working, so just go there and enjoy.

Posted: Mar 04 2009, 11:27 PM by Krupo | with 7 comment(s)
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Comments

Krupo said:

I just learned that No Doubt has their own crazy approach on 21st century music sales: buy a concert ticket, get all the songs.

But then, they're No Doubt, so concert sales are their bread and butter now. www.fastcompany.com/.../no-doubt-s-new-marketing-strategy-buy-one-concert-ticket-get-our-entire-cata

# March 5, 2009 12:48 AM

Studyingisfun said:

Nice to see that the smart artists are getting it = Record Industry = Dinosaurs = Dead!

# March 6, 2009 4:28 AM

Krupo said:

Metric, I think, was very clear on this as they struggled to get the attention they deserved. Others, though, are not necessarily as perceptive.

It'd be an interesting UFE case to deal with a scenario like this - with a few tax and other accounting issues tossed in to make things interesting.

# March 7, 2009 2:06 AM

Studyingisfun said:

That would be a great hypothetical!  

To your point, the bigger you are, the easier it is to follow this model:

eg. your post on Josh Freese, NIN himself Trent Reznor giving away his last album for free (http://theslip.nin.com/), Radiohead asking you to name a price for "In Rainbows", or Metric tossing the system and striking out on their own.

So as these emerging methods of distribution become the norm, music co. middlemen will no serve a purpose, aka, dinosaurs will die.

# March 7, 2009 3:21 AM

Krupo said:

Yup, good points.

Note, however, that Metric isn't that big (further reinforcing your point) - the traditional retail chain is still being used, but I imagine they get a much larger cut of the action when they sell direct (as does anyone).

# March 7, 2009 10:48 AM

Adrienne said:

I love Metric. You are awesome for this.

And yes, why are they using USD?

# March 9, 2009 8:02 PM

Krupo said:

You love Metric? Makes you moreso one of my fav Americans now! :)

# March 9, 2009 11:40 PM