R.E.M. Accelerates into Streaming

[admin]

The mega-band R.E.M. is making a move into online streaming with their new release Accelerate due out in stores in two weeks. A week before that, however, members of iLike, a new online music service, will be able to stream the album in its entirety. This is just another in an increasing group of major artists that are leaving the traditional model of music for a more progressive one.

Discuss "R.E.M Accelerates into Streaming" here. Read the article.

 

[Joe Schmoe]

I am all for offering streaming as an alternative to a physical CD.
What concerns me is the possibility of some bands forgetting about the CD altogether. As someone who does not download, that would be bad.

 

[stratman]

This is interesting indeed, one possible scenario will be the re-inventing of the labels' role in music, they might become "tour" merchants instead of record distributors, etc. For instance, REM wants to tour in support of their new CD, they sub-out the label for tour logistics and distribution of physical media, once they're no longer using physical media the label's role stays as tour logistics support. Using the labels this way will streamline the music pipeline, get more money into the artists hands, make music more affordable to the masses, allow the artist more control over material. Now, if they would just keep releasing physical media, us media dinosaurs will be content.