Prince has a new album coming out.
I am excited by this news. I am. I’m a long-time fan of Prince and have acquired most of his discography — even that “Symbol” stuff he put out, where I thought he was kinda off-center but understood the protest against Warner Brothers.
Along came this interview with a UK newspaper, though… yeah, Prince is kinda batshit insane, guys.
He explains that he decided the album will be released in CD format only in the Mirror. There’ll be no downloads anywhere in the world because of his ongoing battles against internet abuses.
Hey, bless the man for attempting to control the medium his music is released on, but if he thinks there won’t be any downloads anywhere in the world… um, yeah. A dollar says by the time I wake up Saturday morning there’s gonna be a download available, somewhere. In fact, I’ll be so bold as to bet you 1 pounds sterling, brah.
Unlike most other rock stars, he has banned YouTube and iTunes from using any of his music and has even closed down his own official website.
Now keep in mind, he closed down his official website. This site was, for the longest time, the only way you could legally obtain digital copies of his music. Yes, they were DRM-encrypted. Yes, if you bought the tracks (many of which were exclusive to the club) and lost them over the last 4 years, you are screwed. No, there is no LEGAL way to get them back.
OK, we can go on and on and on through the article, and Arstechnica’s commentary is something to behold, but the fact is, Prince, you’ve lost it. I mean, you still have it MUSICALLY, but as a rational being? No.
Parting comment, Prince: You’re abandoning the internet. Trent Reznor can make a living there, and introduce us to new artists at the same time (if you can find Saul Williams, give him a listen). Freaking RADIOHEAD can make a killing there. Radiohead, who no one ever really liked except for that one song. Them. You, Prince? Arguably the most talented artist of the last 30 years? Free CDs through a newspaper. Two dying mediums wrapped in one. You just might be over.
And people will find your music on Saturday, despite your best efforts otherwise.
