MatchBox Twenty and Others Release Music on USB Drives

by Terrence O'Brien on October 19, 2007 at 11:42 AM

Record Industry Releasing Music on USB Drives

Shhh... you hear that? That's the sound of the record industry grasping at straws. The latest desperate attempt to lure in consumers is selling albums on USB drives. This isn't the first time artists have gone the digital drive route, but the move is getting a renewed push from the record industry.

Universal, Warner and EMI have all announced plans to sell music on USB Flash drives. Details are scant, and there's no word on format, bit rate, DRM-or-not... nothing. All we do know is that they'll pack the drives up with extras like videos, desktop wallpapers and icons. We also know that these drives will be more expensive than their CD counterparts. As you can see from the above picture, the drives will come in fan-friendly wristband forms, for starters.

Earlier this year, the White Stripes dropped its latest album 'Icky Thump' on overpriced, albeit cool looking, USB drives. The band was beat to market by the Barenaked Ladies by a full two years, though. Now, Matchbox Twenty is preparing to release its next album 'Exile on Mainstream' on a USB bracelet.

Willie Nelson, the estate of Bob Marley, the Rolling Stones, and UK group the Fratellis all have also jumped on the bandwagon. However we can save the labels some time by letting them in on a secret: no one buys these things.

From Engadget and USA Today

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Tags: barenaked ladies, BarenakedLadies, bob marley, BobMarley, digital music, DigitalMusic, emi, flash, fratellis, matchbox twenty, MatchboxTwenty, music, rolling stones, RollingStones, universal, usb, warner, white stripes, WhiteStripes, willie nelson, WillieNelson

Comments

djOct 19th 2007 12:41PM

Neutral

" nobody buys these things"? Ha HA famous last words. remember when that was said about the cassette and for the 8track.. then the cd for the cassette. just wait and mark my words. I just purchased a new car stereo and specifically wanted one with the usb port for my playlists. its awesome. the new generation is a high tech gen.

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truaxhigOct 22nd 2007 2:21PM

Neutral

The Strong Hold that the Huge Record Corporations have had for decades has tightened its grip . You can bet the main thing about these devices is added security software to prevent duplication . This may work for awhile until some 15 year old hacks it . Just remember, The United Rebel Alliance of Independant Artist (URAIA) will always Prevail!!!!!!! See these sites for more : http://hosstheboss.com
http://truaxband.com/

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R. L.Oct 22nd 2007 3:17PM

Neutral

These are a backward step in storage. The 8 tracks came and went because the size of 8 tracks for storage and the auto reverse systems in the cassettes gave them the contiuous play of the 8 track only easier to store. The CD could hold more and has clearer music as well and are easier to store than the cassette. All of these moves were an improvement for the consumer.A bracelet with one album just won't make it for long.as small box size containers for massive music collections these USB's are a step up but as a wist band they are a step bacward for the consumer....People will begin to want to cut the wist band part off so thay can be put with other chips in a carying case type box for that media... They may sell at concerts to wear like the tea shirts do but will not get far in the other marketing outlets... in music and electronics smaller is better and for music large amounts in smaller packages is the future. The fact that these chips can be erased by accident can be a down side as well, compaired to the laser disc.....

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K E E P E ROct 22nd 2007 4:24PM

Neutral

O-K ... well well well ... is it possible that Mr Terrence O'Brien is actually using reverse psychology in his article, which then would be a disguised advertising for the USB music port? Hum, I wonder... let's just think about it... Potentially how many people can access this page since its link is on AOL today?

Now that i read it, what I remember is that USB music is becoming avail and that telling us we won't use it might be the best way to make us try it.

Smart, but we're smart 1/2 ! Tell us the truth Mr O'Brien ... was there a little bribe in the deal for even serving us the artists names, the brands AND the companies putting this product on the market? ;-)) (you can give your opinion about a new product without mentionning any of that)

I don't mind the selling of records, i do that myself, but I like total honesty, transparency and disclosure in business - the big names have the means to do their own ads (also to bribe journalists sadly) So, just swear it wasn't the case, and we'll forgive you for telling us what to buy and from whom.

KEEPER

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