Radiohead Frequency Problems

[talktooloose]

For the first time since who knows when, I've bought an album destined to be #1 on the day it came out. I had downloaded most of Hail to the Thief a few months ago but I wanted the package, the lyrics, the sequenced experience, so I forked over the cash.

Now, this, apparently, will come as news to Americans, but the release of the album to the rest of world is a copy-protected CD that can only be played on your computer using player software that comes on the CD.

I had heard about this yesterday just before I bought the disk and, on reflection, it seemed a reasonable step for the band/company to have taken. They want to stop piracy of their material and they give you the means to play the CD. The only piss off is for iPod users (to which group I do not belong) who were sold an expensive MP3 player on the promise that they could legally MP3 their music and then haul it around with them.

Well, in fact, the reality of the disk is worse than the promise. The player software is not working properly on Macs, hesitating every 5 seconds or so. I immediately called EMI Canada and was cut off while on hold. On the second attempt, I was told by the Quality Control department that they would replace the disk as soon as they figured out what to do. She directed me to the website where I was to send in a report (that would come right back to her) including my e-mail address. Text typed into this online form was unreadable on IE Mac and the submit button didn't work. I eventually got the e-mail to her after two hours of phone tag.

I've heard that the protected CDs also have trouble on older CD players. In Argentina, furious fans cannot play it because they mostly have the same CD players they had 10 years ago. Hey, these second world countries better get on the consumer bandwagon and fast if they want to be part of cutting edge culture!

Anyway, we managed to crack the protection for all but three songs and I am now listening to MP3s. Just like I was a month ago.

Comments

[33mhz.livejournal.com]

My love affair with Radiohead ended badly when they released Amnesiac. I loved the first track, liked the second, but Push/Pulk Doors shocked me as being the first completely useless piece of wank that I've ever heard them release. And it was track 3 on a major album, no less! I've played a lot with Protools as well, and I've honestly created better tracks than that.

And now they've done the copy protection thing, which is just silly. As much as I love the continuity and packaging that a cd provides, there's no way I'm going to go out and buy crippled merchandise.

[talktooloose.livejournal.com]

See, I skipped Amnesiac altogether and RH and I are getting along fine. It's like taking a few days out of town when your boyfriend is particularly foul.

Your phrase "crippled merchandise" is lovely and has moved my thinking around this whole incident. CDs with this invasive technology are an inferior product for which I am paying more and more.

I'm always amazed at how economically and potently well-crafted language can push discussion.

[balthcat.livejournal.com]

Copy Controlled discs also won't work on Sony mp3-CD players. And those I've asked about other mp3-CD players don't know. (Radioshack employees, for example)

The irony... the copy control doesn't stop my from ripping the mp3s. All it does is guarantee that I will not spend money on EMI/Virgin or their subsidiaries because they are willing to screw me over out of paranoia.

Sadly, it appears a label I respect, Nettwerk, is following suite. LAME.