Well it took almost two years, but Radiohead’s “pay-what-you-want” for In Rainbows scheme is now having a bit of a backlash. Actually, it looks more like Jared Leto is jumping on board one part of Kim Gordon’s “Radiohead Model” diss from last week when she pointed out that a record label eventually released In Rainbows, making it not technically a self-released “community-oriented” effort. Anyway, here’s what Leto told Spinner:
“I’d be curious to see more examples because didn’t Radiohead eventually put their record out? Trent [Reznor] seems to be the only guy that’s stuck to his guns and stayed tried and true. He’s a god among men.”
And then some more kissing up to Reznor: “It’s really interesting to see such a creative person express himself in business terms, to see how would he do things… I’d love to talk to him about what he’s learned.”
We really shouldn’t be taking advice on the music industry from Jordan Catalano, but it’s interesting that some of Radiohead’s critics are latching on to the “self-released” aspect of their scheme. Isn’t the rest of Kim Gordon’s argument, that letting fans of a huge band determine music’s monetary value can make other musicians look bad, a much more interesting/worthwhile debate?