Nine Inch Nails – Ghosts I-IV

Well, it’s out.

Trent Reznor, aka Nine Inch Nails, having freed himself from corporate stupidity has released a 36-track instrumental album in the form of four nine-track EPs. There are many purchase options; many more than would accompany a typical record label release.

The album was released without any prior advertisement; and in mere hours after its release, the incredible thing is that, of the 2500 $300 deluxe special editions made available, there are now no longer any left to buy. It’s funny that. People will pay good money for music, without even having heard it, when they can see value for money. Yet, the record companies don’t seem to understand this. Hmm.

I personally tried the (sans-DRM) free download; immediately fell in love with the songs, and bought the $10 2CD set. Even after paying for shipping direct from the US, the total cost ended up just shy of $26; about $10 cheaper than I would’ve had to pay had I purchased this from a shop somewhere nearby and as a bonus, it’ll be delivered direct to my door. Typically bricks and mortar stores charge through the nose ($50 for a 2CD set is not unheard of) for ‘obscure’ foreign music. Of course, Trent knows this, having spoken-out at a show here in Australia in late 2007.

Fuck the RIAA. Fuck the labels. I want to see more bands getting onto their own thing and doing what Trent Reznor has done here. It’s a beaut idea that I, and many others worldwide no doubt, will dutifully embrace.