U2 Release New Album "Songs of Innocence" Free On iTunes

[DJ General]

U2 release new album Songs of Innocence for free on iTunes

Today’s Apple Event in Cupertino, California saw the launch of the new iPhone 6, Apple’s digital wallet, and iWatch. The real headliner, however, came at the end when U2 appeared as a special guest. After debuting a new song live, the band announced that their latest album, Songs of Innocence, is being released for free on iTunes starting today. Yes, they simultaneously pulled a Beyoncé and Radiohead.

Available to all of Apple’s 500 million customers free of charge, it marks the biggest album release of all time. Songs of Innocence will remain exclusive to Apple through October.

consequenceofsound.net/2014/09/u2-release-new-album-songs-of-innocence-for-free-on-itunes/

[divasummer]

Wow!
How much do you think their getting paid from Appel or will Apple be sponsoring their whole next tour?

[KeepDeanWeird]

Pretty amazing. When they shut down part of Dublin last month to film a video - they pushed off saying it was a commercial. No way I believed that because it was a huge undertaking.

[YourFaveIsAFlop]

Th thing with it being free to me is that U2 and their people are satisfied with however much Apple fronted them for exclusive album streaming rights and don't care about sales. People will still buy it assuming it's released physically in October but I doubt they give 2 craps about how many copies it actually moves

[swim]

Agreed. U2 has no reason to be concerned about sales anymore. They are sort of the beginning of a new generation of bands that will be able to tour and never release anything again if they don't want to. I think sales for the album may still be decent once you take into consideration it will be free for a month. But yeah, ultimately, it doesn't matter at this point.

[areyoureadytojump]

www.billboard.com/biz/articles/news/chart-alert/6244164/u2s-songs-arrives-but-giveaway-model-will-push-back-its

U2's 'Songs' Arrives, But Giveaway Model Will Push Back Its Billboard 200 Debut
By Keith Caulfield | September 09, 2014

While U2 surprised the music world by releasing its new album, Songs of Innocence, today as a free download to iTunes Store account holders and for streaming on Beats Music, you won't see it on the Billboard 200 albums chart for another month and a half.

Why not? Free or giveaway albums are not eligible for inclusion on Billboard's album charts and do not count toward sales tracked by Nielsen SoundScan (which supplies data for Billboard's sales-driven charts). The same sort of scenario played out in 2013 with Jay Z's Magna Carta… Holy Grail album, which was given away to Samsung users, and, on occasion, when Google Play offers free downloads of select albums.

Once Songs of Innocence goes on sale beginning Oct. 14, it will then set its sights on Billboard's sales charts. On that date, the album will be available in both standard and deluxe editions to physical and digital retailers, as well as on streaming services other than Beats. Until then, only current or new iTunes or Beats account holders will have access to the album.

Still, songs from the band's new album, which is also being streamed through iTunes' sister on-demand service Beats Music, could impact certain Billboard charts in the coming week. The set could see some of its tracks debut on the Streaming Songs or Hot Rock Songs charts, while the band itself could make a splash on the Social 50 tally (which tracks the most popular music artists across social networks).

In addition, the album's lead single, "The Miracle (of Joey Ramone)," could arrive on various airplay charts, including Alternative Songs, where U2 has notched a record 39 hits.

U2 has earned seven No. 1 albums on the Billboard 200, including its last two studio releases: No Line on the Horizon (issued in 2009) and How to Dismantle an Atomic Bomb (2004).

[Enigma.]

Their previous album wasn't exactly a blockbuster so I think this is just a smart move to create more buzz.

[Devil Marlena Nylund]

Has there been a lot of buzz though? I'm obviously blinded by Pulse's diva-centric ways but other than mentions and short articles, there doesn't seem to be as much buzz as I'd expect. Though I guess when compared to Beyoncé doing it last year the buzz wouldn't be as much. I'm so curious to see how the album holds in the long run and how well it sells once it stops being free. They're a band who could still sell quite a few units as many of their fans probably prefer physical CDs over digital anyway so the free thing might not harm them.

[Enigma.]

Yea not buzz in commercial sense I guess but lots of tweets and articles in music media. I doubt that this album will spawn hits anyway. It's all about the tour that will follow.

[when the pawn...]

Will we get any data on how many people do the free download?

[Linnethia Monique]

Sept 10, 2014 14:30:53 GMT -5 when the pawn... said:

Will we get any data on how many people do the free download?

Probably not since EVERY person with both iTunes and an account got the album gratis. I checked and it already had purchased and all I needed to do was download it from the iCloud.

[Kurt]

Sept 10, 2014 14:30:53 GMT -5 when the pawn... said:

Will we get any data on how many people do the free download?

We might, but it's currently unclear: www.billboard.com/biz/articles/news/digital-and-mobile/6244248/u2-album-downloads-off-to-decent-start?utm_source=twitter

Sources tell Billboard that, following Apple's press event on Sept. 9, when the company announced it was giving away U2's new album Songs of Innocence to all 500 million iTunes account holders, the collection was downloaded about 200,000 times in the United States. A Universal Music Group spokesman says the number "is completely inaccurate." Not being debated is that the the new album got off to a decent start.

The 11-track Songs of Innocence is available to iTunes account holders in all 119 countries where iTunes is available. While Apple makes the claim that "over half a billion copies" are being "distributed," in reality not all account holders are likely to experience the album. Apple places Songs of Innocence on a user's "purchased" list, where the files can either be streamed or manually uploaded. Some consumers may choose to stream the album elsewhere. Apple's Beats Music subscription service and iTunes Radio streaming service also have the album exclusively.

Retailers contacted by Billboard estimate the album would have achieved first-week sales between 450,000 and 500,000 units with a normal release, but in light of the iTunes exclusive, they predict first-week sales of about 150,000 units.

[areyoureadytojump]

www.billboard.com/articles/business/6251246/u2-retail-songs-of-innocence?utm_source=Sailthru&utm_medium=email&utm_term=biz_breakingnews&utm_campaign=Breaking%20News

Exclusive: UMG Reveals U2 Bonus Package Release Plan for Retailers
By Ed Christman | September 11, 2014

It’s a given that merchants would be annoyed that the new U2 album Songs Of Innocence is being offered free to a half billion iTunes consumers for an exclusive five-week window. But in the days after the Sept. 9 announcement, those same retailers were in hot pursuit of details about what Interscope and the Universal Music Group would give them to offset the exclusive.

As it turns out, brick-and-mortar retail will get a deluxe package with four additional songs and two to seven acoustic versions. (The final number has yet to be determined.) The Songs of Innocence CD will carry a $12.90 wholesale price, which translates into a $19.98 list price. That means consumers will likely see it priced at $15-$16 in stores.

Brick-and mortar merchants, as well as music streaming services, will get the bonus tracks for a five-week window, just like Apple had on the non-deluxe version, after which iTunes will also get the additional bonus songs.

In addition, retailers will be offered catalog deals that will discount the entire U2 catalog from front-line to mid-line, which means that U2 albums will be about $3 cheaper in stores for a period. iTunes is already offering its customers the U2 catalog at discounted prices and their customers have responded by placing 20 U2 titles into the iTunes top 200 chart, proving there is strong demand for all of the band’s music.

Despite all the maneuvering by Interscope and UMG to placate unhappy retailers, some merchants are debating whether to support U2 on the album. When Beyoncé gave iTunes an exclusive window on her last album, Target refused to carry it, while Amazon refused to stock the CD version, although it did carry the MP3 version. Target and Amazon declined comment.

Besides merchants, some competing major label executives say the move devalues music.

"I'm not sure that this giveaway is good for the business," says one senior label executive.

Another says it will hurt smaller artists, who still count on sales revenue. But UMG insiders counter that anyone of that opinion simply is not in touch with the music market, which is moving to an access model. Moreover, in the modern music industry, many view the album as a loss leader for the real paydays provided by touring and merchandise, among other revenue streams.

[imbondz]

Pretty crazy. I went into my Music app, there it was waiting for me to hit download. Thanks iTunes and U2!

[areyoureadytojump]

www.hitsdailydouble.com/news/rumormill.cgi

SONGS OF EXPERIENCE:

The music-industry bible’s claim that only around 200k people in the U.S. downloaded the free U2 album from iTunes on Tuesday is causing a major uproar in the band’s camp. No one has yet confirmed that figure to us, and both Apple and UMG have hotly disputed it, expressing outrage over the publication of that number. Meanwhile, issues of timing (the day was half-over when Apple announced it) and iTunes Store bandwidth make that first-day metric dubious at best.

But a controversy is certainly raging around Apple’s decision to place it in users’ purchased music without their consent—some have gone so far as to characterize it as a violation. Meanwhile, wonderers are wondering if the band will be announcing its tour shortly, given that arenas nationwide are said to be on hold. Inquiring minds want to know: When is that shoe going to drop?

But another related shoe has already dropped: last night, during the CBS Thursday Night Football telecast, this fancy-looking 60-second spot made its debut. (9/12a)

[Devil Marlena Nylund]

I'm wondering whether the growing backlash they're facing with this might undo any potential good that could come from this? Definitely worth keeping an eye on for others looking for new album release techniques.

[areyoureadytojump]

recode.net/2014/09/15/apple-lets-you-remove-free-u2-album-you-didnt-ask-for/

Apple Lets You Remove Free U2 Album You Didn’t Ask For
September 15, 2014, 10:27 AM PDT
By Peter Kafka


Are you one of the people who complained about that new U2 album Apple gave you last week — the one it inserted into your cloud-based iTunes account without asking if you wanted it, and which would show up as “purchased” in your file history even if you never downloaded it?

Then maybe this will help: Apple has changed course and decided to let you delete the album from your collection.

It should take a couple steps, but it shouldn’t be that difficult. Head over to this page, which Apple put up this morning. Now you can make your collection Bono-free, or just “Songs of Innocence”-free, or whatever.

The only catch appears to be that if you decide you do want your new free U2 album, you’ve only got a month to change your mind: After October 13, the only way to get it from iTunes will be by actually spending money.

Here’s Apple spokesman Tom Neumayr’s explanation: “Some customers asked for the ability to delete ‘Songs of Innocence’ from their library, so we set up www.itunes.com/soi-remove to let them easily do so. Any customer that needs additional help should contact AppleCare.”

[Linnethia Monique]

It's funny how people are more pissed than happy about the free U2 album :kii:

[#LisaRinna]

All the reviews have bashed the album, except RS.

The New Yorker went off on theirs LOL

[johnm1120]

Sheesh. don't look a gift horse in the mouth. I more than likely would not have bought the album (the only U2 album I have is "18 Singles") so in a way it did help get the album out to casual fans, or to people who normally don't rush out to get U2 albums. I usually get the free songs of the week, even if I never heard of the artist, why is this any different?

Sept 10, 2014 7:56:50 GMT -5 swim said:

Agreed. U2 has no reason to be concerned about sales anymore. They are sort of the beginning of a new generation of bands that will be able to tour and never release anything again if they don't want to. I think sales for the album may still be decent once you take into consideration it will be free for a month. But yeah, ultimately, it doesn't matter at this point.

U2 is one of those bands where people go to the concert to hear the songs they know and grew up with, not to hear "new stuff." That's really where they make their money anyway is touring.

[Juanca]

I get why people are complaining. I went to iTunes and was hoping to click on a redeem button or something. It surprised me that I had to look for it in a purchased section that seemed too intrusive for my looking.
In a year where privacy concerns are starting to rise, having unrequested stuff is not that good. I don't object the free gift, but I DO object the putting stuff in my account without my permission. I deleted Facebook messenger from my iPhone due to its privacy policy too btw.

[Devil Marlena Nylund]

Yeah, at first I thought it was ridiculous that people were complaining but when I realized that a lot of people probably have their devices set to automatically download everything they purchase from iTunes, it would be annoying to have the U2 album there and not be able to get rid of it. This opens it up to how much ability Apple has to put things on your devices even if you aren't aware and I think that is where the conversation will be going. Right now, U2 is the face of the backlash and unfortunately, it has probably hindered how people choose to listen to/review the album. Of the 5 albums by U2 on Metacritic, it's the lowest rated one. Now I'm curious to see why the mixed and negative reviews are as such.

[brady47]

Sept 15, 2014 13:08:22 GMT -5 #LisaRinna said:

All the reviews have bashed the album, except RS.

The New Yorker went off on theirs LOL

No they haven't, it's gotten a lot of favourable reviews from critics (11 positive reviews, `12 mixed reviews, and only 2 negative reviews) according to Metacritic. A 66/100 rating is a pretty decent score, and Rolling Stone giving it a 5/5 is impressive.

[#LisaRinna]

Sept 15, 2014 22:03:23 GMT -5 brady47 said:

Sept 15, 2014 13:08:22 GMT -5 #LisaRinna said:

All the reviews have bashed the album, except RS.

The New Yorker went off on theirs LOL

No they haven't, it's gotten a lot of favourable reviews from critics (11 positive reviews, `12 mixed reviews, and only 2 negative reviews) according to Metacritic. A 66/100 rating is a pretty decent score, and Rolling Stone giving it a 5/5 is impressive.

Are we going to pretend there are not a bunch of reviews in the 40s on its Metacritic page?

[Enigma.]

I want the same pills Rolling Stone reviewer has taken

On a serious note, interesting to see how many copies the album will sell in its first week.. They are yet to drop under 1 million sales per album, aren't they?

[Duca]

[#LisaRinna]

The desperation is real..

After noisily spamming your iTunes account with Songs Of Innocence, their turgid chore of a new album, U2 have quietly slid a few vinyl copies of the LP to a few independent retailers, just in time to qualify for next year’s Grammys. The album’s official white-vinyl release isn’t until 10/14, but the fan site @u2 reports that a few black-vinyl copies showed up for sale at stores like Amoeba and Looney Tunes. According to Grammy rules, an album has to be sold commercially before 9/30 to qualify for the next year’s awards, and the album’s free iTunes release wasn’t enough to qualify, so they had to get a few of those physical copies out there on time. Ethically, this isn’t much different from showing a movie in two theaters a couple of days before New Years to get it out there in time for Oscar season. They’re gaming the system, but it’s not like there’s anything wrong with their tactics, and a few people will get collectors-editions copies that they can flip on Ebay for some extra money. But if anyone actually hands any Grammys to that boring, boring album, we’re going to have to burn the whole system down.

http://lockerdome.co...019469398611476

[Kurt]

The label mistakenly thought their album release would be GRAMMY-eligible since it met the deadline and, upon finding out it didn't, devised a way to fix it while maintaining their original physical rollout schedule. I don't see anything "desperate" there.

[#LisaRinna]

Sept 30, 2014 13:17:03 GMT -5 Kurt said:

The label mistakenly thought their album release would be GRAMMY-eligible since it met the deadline and, upon finding out it didn't, devised a way to fix it while maintaining their original physical rollout schedule. I don't see anything "desperate" there.

The desperation lies in the fact that they are throwing out a bunch of vinyls just for the Grammys deadline. The official release is October 14.

When they found out it wasn't eligible they even asked the committee to change the rules. Please.

[Marie Osmond Is A Bad Mother!!]

Sept 30, 2014 13:17:03 GMT -5 Kurt said:

The label mistakenly thought their album release would be GRAMMY-eligible since it met the deadline and, upon finding out it didn't, devised a way to fix it while maintaining their original physical rollout schedule. I don't see anything "desperate" there.

It is still just a release that they are submitting to the Grammy's. Whether it will be nominated for anything or not remains to be seen. There are so many other stronger albums in contention for those big awards so this may not even make the short list.