For their release, Meteora, Linkin Park used some of the tightest security known by any band to help prevent leaks to the internet - and it seems as if they pulled it off.
Keys to the studio were collected from everyone but NRG's manager and an assistant engineer. Guards on rotating shifts logged the name of everyone who entered, including the chairman of the band's record label. And instead of storing recordings on the studio's high-security fiber-optic network, the band installed its own network with its own password.
The article also notes that the leaking in the past has been blamed for poor sales:
Only last week, British music giant EMI Group found itself racing to respond to the sudden appearance online of material from Radiohead, whose eagerly awaited album isn't due in stores until June. And industry executives say the premature release online of rock band Korn's "Untouchables" album contributed to its disappointing sales last year for Sony Corp.'s music division.
Honestly, I don't think it's the leaks that were the cause, it was the poor music - I didn't care for Korn's new album, therefore I didn't purchase it - I'm sure many felt the same!
Could many other bands follow this trend like Linkin Park has? I'm sure they will after seeing how well Linkin Park pulled it off.
Article comments
1 - wKen
According to SoundScan, they sold over 800K units the first week, and will debut at the top of the charts. The question is, how well will they do in weeks to follow?
I agree with you about the quality of the music being the primary factor in album sales. If people really want something, they'll pay for it, even if the mp3 is free online. It's just easier to blame slow sales on downloading than crappy music.
2 - The Theory
too true too true.
peace.
3 - Jim S
but how is the music??? that's the main question.
Of course they are blaming sagging sales on downloading..... it COULDN'T possibly be a crappy product or that people are sick of being force-fed shit by the marketing reps who detirmine what to push... no, that couldn't be it?