GNR's 'Democracy' To Be Retail Exclusive?

[D]

Sorry, we had a misunderstanding, I wasn't implying that GNR should give away their CD. i was just mentioning some previously used release strategies.

the concert ticket one, has definitely been one of the more successful ones.

[Scabbie]

This might sound silly but I want to pay a lot of money for Chinese Democracy

So the more 'special' the band can make it in terms of bonus tracks, dvd footage, interviews, cool artwork/packaging the better. After all of this time I don't really want to find myself queueing up in the local Asda for a bog standard cd

And if there is a limited edition deluxe version HTGTH members will get the opportunity to buy 

One other thing - please no initial release followed by another release 6 months later with additional tracks. That really grinds my gears.

[ben9785]

I posted this elsewhere but thought I'd also include it here since it appears theres some discussion about 'exclusive' versions of the album..

Heres some ideas I thought of for different issues of the album that would appear to 'hardcore' fans such as us, 'old gnr' fans and casual fans alike..

-Limited edition box set version of the album
This would come with extensive packaging and artwork, lyrics, album essay by Axl, stickers, free live DVD etc. I also think they could somehow set up a 'lottery' system where 20 random buyers from anywhere in the world could be lucky enough to get a copy of the box set signed by Axl only. There could also be a higher quantity of say 50 sets which are signed by the other band members.

-Version of the album with free "Classic/Vintage" Guns N Roses tshirt
Limited versions of the album could come with a free 'Vintage' "fashionable" GNR shirt.
Or on the other hand, major clothing stores/department stores could offer the album for free with a poster for a limited time to people who buy GNR shirt/other merch from them. GNR merch seems to be a trend lately; I think if they stuck some free music in there anyone with general interest in music would be curious. And maybe they could even chuck a poster in there or stickers or something.

-Version of the album with free live DVD
A limited edition version of the album with a free DVD of the new band performing live. Better value for money I guess.

-Version of the album 'packaged together' with greatest hits CD
I know this is riding on 'OLD GNR', but just like how they have 'deluxe reissues' of two popular albums by one band in one package, they could feature 'Chinese Democracy' with a greatest hits GNR cd or "Appetite". Someone who wants to get any GNR in their collection would be satisfied with the 'old hits' and the 'mythical album' they've heard about blah blah

-Live ticket & exclusive free album download
I guess it might be more financially feasible, rather than issuing CDs for every customer - If they set up a system for future live GNR performances where a specific number of attendees would be entitled to a free download of the album.

[norway]

I don't get all the cry-babies on this on other boards... You've been waiting for this album from 15 years to 1 month (i bet we got some new gn'r fans in here...).

15 years makes it even a better reason fans wanna hear CD the way Axl wants it to be, not wal-mart.

Thats my view, but if Axl get it to work then I' m happy.

[AxlNow]

A very interesting interview on The Howard Stern Show this morning. Howard was talking with the band STAIND about how tough it is for recording artists these days to sell CD's. The interview goes on to talk about Exclusive Distrbutions through retailers like Walmart and why it may be a good idea.

Walmart purchases Millions of CD's all at once. These all count as sales towards the CD even if nobody actually purchases the CD in the store. So a retailer actually has the ability to make a CD appear as though it's extremely popular even before it sells a copy. The upside for the band is that they get paid upfront once the CD's get sold to the retailer. So it's a win win situation for the band. Take a listen at the link below. It could be why Guns n Roses is negotiating for such a deal.


  http://www.zshare.net/audio/1728382179876bb8/

[jarmo]

The fact is, if people bought cds like they used to, these deals wouldn't be needed.

But it's 2008, and many people rather spend nothing on a cd while paying a few dollars for a cup of coffee.......



/jarmo

[CheapJon]

The fact is, if people bought cds like they used to, these deals wouldn't be needed.

But it's 2008, and many people rather spend nothing on a cd while paying a few dollars for a cup of coffee.......



/jarmo

if people could download their coffee they would

[Voodoochild]

If the albums weren't so pricey, they would feel less tempted to download it. Also, a lot of people buy the mp3 version because they either don't care about the actual CD or because they just don't even have a cd player anymore. There's so many reasons and it's not only because of the illegal download, tho it's for sure the major cause.

You don't see a real benefit? Just take a look at this Azoff article about the profits and benefits he got with an exclusive deal to sell the Eagles album:

http://adage.com/entertainmentmarketers08/article?article_id=127077

That's an interesting article, especially the comment:

"We looked at a number of different options," says Mr. Azoff......"But we wanted to have control over the final product and how it was marketed" to Eagles fans."

I can see that being a major attraction for taking GNR down this route too.

For sure it is. And if the band can manage to have control over the masters too (tho I don't think it's really possible at this point with Universal), they could save a lot of further issues.

[jarmo]

If the albums weren't so pricey, they would feel less tempted to download it.

I don't think that's the case.

I used to think it was the case, but not anymore.


Some people just don't think an album is worth $10 of their money....




/jarmo

[Allman]

A very interesting interview on The Howard Stern Show this morning. Howard was talking with the band STAIND about how tough it is for recording artists these days to sell CD's. The interview goes on to talk about Exclusive Distrbutions through retailers like Walmart and why it may be a good idea.

Walmart purchases Millions of CD's all at once. These all count as sales towards the CD even if nobody actually purchases the CD in the store. So a retailer actually has the ability to make a CD appear as though it's extremely popular even before it sells a copy. The upside for the band is that they get paid upfront once the CD's get sold to the retailer. So it's a win win situation for the band. Take a listen at the link below. It could be why Guns n Roses is negotiating for such a deal.


  http://www.zshare.net/audio/1728382179876bb8/

That's not true - the part about purchases by Walmart. The only reason Billboard put The Eagles Long Road Out Of Eden on the charts was because Walmart gave Billboard insight in actual sales. Before that there wasn't a single CD sold exclusively by one chain on the charts due to the fact nobody could independently verify sales. One it became apparent The Eagles sold way more than Britney S (who was provisional number one) Walmart gave Billboard insight at the very last minute possibly spurred by Eagles management (mr.Azoff).

[chineseblues]

If the albums weren't so pricey, they would feel less tempted to download it.

I don't think that's the case.

I used to think it was the case, but not anymore.


Some people just don't think an album is worth $10 of their money....




/jarmo

I think a lot of it has to do with the fact that most of the cds released today are not worth $10! I know I wouldn't spend that kind of money to buy an album where I liked only 1 or 2 songs on. So I know a lot of artists bitch and moan about downloading, but if they actually put the time and effort into creating something that was worth buying, I think people still would pay for it.

[jarmo]

I think a lot of it has to do with the fact that most of the cds released today are not worth $10! I know I wouldn't spend that kind of money to buy an album where I liked only 1 or 2 songs on. So I know a lot of artists bitch and moan about downloading, but if they actually put the time and effort into creating something that was worth buying, I think people still would pay for it.

It's true that many albums are like that.

But I find it hard to believe that no band is able to create as good music today as they did in the 90s or something.....

Did all albums suddenly start sucking?




/jarmo

[spunton]

To be very honest, people can now listern to/watch anything the want,via the internet.

I can watch Premier League football, porn, boxing and download music. which in reality i just could not efford to do and wouldn't do.

So for me no one is losing out as i wouldn't pay for any of the above as i can't.

But if guns n roses come to Newcastle,England and im the first to pay for my ticket. When CD is release i'll be the first to go out and buy.

i get to hear/see alot of thing i would not otherwise get to see/hear. Most things i would not go and pay to see the only way to stop this is to get rid of the internet.... which ain't going to happen. Bring back the 80's early 90's only differents is we all copied things on tape. Albums, Computer games and films the only difference is it happens a lot quicker.

Stu

[ppbebe]

if people could download their coffee they would

maybe people're getting too lazy or busy to go to stores or to make a cup of coffee for themselves.

[Voodoochild]

But I find it hard to believe that no band is able to create as good music today as they did in the 90s or something.....

Did all albums suddenly start sucking?

They always sucked, but it was harder to know back then. We didn't have much choice. Still, we all recorded albums in K7 tape too...

[$$$$]

I think a lot of it has to do with the fact that most of the cds released today are not worth $10! I know I wouldn't spend that kind of money to buy an album where I liked only 1 or 2 songs on. So I know a lot of artists bitch and moan about downloading, but if they actually put the time and effort into creating something that was worth buying, I think people still would pay for it.

It's true that many albums are like that.

But I find it hard to believe that no band is able to create as good music today as they did in the 90s or something.....

Did all albums suddenly start sucking?




/jarmo

for the most part yes they really did

[AxlNow]

If the albums weren't so pricey, they would feel less tempted to download it.

I don't think that's the case.

I used to think it was the case, but not anymore.


Some people just don't think an album is worth $10 of their money....




/jarmo

    It's really about two things. One is convenience and the other is the theory of "why buy the cow if the milk is free?" The internet provides the best of both worlds to the consumer. You can get what you want, when you want it, you won't have to pay a dime for it and you don't even have to leave the house to get it! That's a pretty good deal for us fans. That is very tempting and very difficult for most people to pass up. We live in a society where people are going to take advantage of such an offer in a heartbeat. This is why The record industry is on a respirator. At first they all freaked out and chased after anybody and everybody they could for illegal downloading. But now you no longer even hear about them suing downloaders. I think they finally realized that this is a battle that can't possibly be won. You can't stop technology. To many people to sue. To expensive to sue them all..... and there still have not been solid lines drawn as to if downloading music can actually be considered illegal. Even if it could be considered illegal, it certainly hasn't slowed anyone down. People are still downloading shit all over the place.

 So now record companies have moved on to a new strategy. That is to exclusively sell a bulk amount of CD's to one retailer where the money is guaranteed! The Record companies get paid a set amount of money by the retailer which is guaranteed Money in the Bank! Apparently this is a much better solution than hoping and praying that a CD will sell well. That scenario no longer works out so well thanks to file sharing on the internet. This is called evolution my friend.

[ppbebe]

Somewhat that sounds democratic....AxlNow.

I think a lot of it has to do with the fact that most of the cds released today are not worth $10! I know I wouldn't spend that kind of money to buy an album where I liked only 1 or 2 songs on. So I know a lot of artists bitch and moan about downloading, but if they actually put the time and effort into creating something that was worth buying, I think people still would pay for it.

It's true that many albums are like that.

But I find it hard to believe that no band is able to create as good music today as they did in the 90s or something.....

Did all albums suddenly start sucking?




/jarmo

for the most part yes they really did

I donno but I guess I much prefer white stripes or tool  to.... say, poison or def lepard.
I don't thisk it's today's music's fault.

[mnsotapop]

"recorded" music has become a commodity.  It is too easily accessible to be a high value product any longer.  Music today doesn't suck any more/less than 10-20 years ago.  The recording business no longer exists as we once knew it.  Newspapers/Magazines will be next. 

[--DEA--]

"recorded" music has become a commodity.  It is too easily accessible to be a high value product any longer.  Music today doesn't suck any more/less than 10-20 years ago.  The recording business no longer exists as we once knew it.  Newspapers/Magazines will be next. 

So true. Internet destroyed the music industry in some ways..