Tuesday, March 20, 2007

Fields invent another new format

Hot on the heels of the USB single comes the Digital Vinyl single. Apparently, the next Fields single will come on old-skool 7" vinyl; etched on the back of this will be a unique code. That code can be input into a PC-computer-internet, whereupon you can download one of two tracks.

Apparently, the chart company have insisted that this makes the record ineligible for the charts, but it's not bothering Atlantic, the Fields' UK label - presumably they weren't holding out hopes of a number one, anyway:

Jack Melhuish, Digital Manager for Atlantic Records comments: “We feel strongly that this release is a great combination of the benefits of both physical and digital, allowing for the importance felt by many music fans of owning a tangible format as well as harnessing the flexibility and immediacy afforded by downloads.

“The Fields Charming the Flames digital vinyl straddles both of these with a beautiful etched 7” product and choice of downloads for the fans.”

See? It's all about the benefits for the fans, and not be confused with a cheap gimmick to get coverage for the release.

Melhuish doesn't explain how it can be "immediate" to have to go down a shop, buy a record, return home and type in a code to get a download, but we're sure it's all been tested.


2 comments:

Anonymous said...

Melhuish doesn't explain how it can be "immediate" to have to go down a shop, buy a record, return home and type in a code to get a download, but we're sure it's all been tested.

How about: go down to a shop, look at record, write down code, go to nearest wi-fi area (if you're in HMV it'll be just the rest of the coffee shop), download the track.

It's the new punk rock!

I do like this 'buy the vinyl get a download for free' business, apart from not getting a reply to my postcard for the last Belle & Sebastian record - although hindsight proves this to be no bad thing. But what are the DRM issues? What if I lose the mp3 somehow - can I get another one, or is ok to get it off soleseek or whatever in this instance?

Anonymous said...

“The Fields Charming the Flames digital vinyl straddles both of these with a beautiful etched 7” product and choice of downloads for the fans.”

Anybody else get the impression that Mr Melhuish used to write the copy for those Franklin Mint adverts?
What's so new about engraved vinyl anyway? I've got a 20 year old We've Got A Fuzzbox And We're gonna Use It 12" with an etched B-side. Er, that is, a friend has. Not me, obviously.

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