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By George Ziemann -- November 8, 2007

Not too long ago, I praised Prince as being a genius for giving away free CDs in a London newspaper. This week, any good will that the previous action may have garnered was negated when Prince's fan sites were threatened for the crime of having pictures of Prince or some such petty reason, proving that just because an artist has chosen to be independent doesn't mean they're deserving of any respect.

I regret having written anything about this artist and will not make the same mistake in the future. I now question the wisdom of having touted other artists simply because they left their old label. McCartney is working with Mercury now. Radiohead's "pay what you think it's worth" deal had such a low bitrate that many buyers felt insulted, and they're dealing with Sony for distribution. The Eagle's new album is manufactured by Universal.

Nothing substantial has happened yet, though I keep grasping at straws in hopes that a change is imminent. But the only thing that has really changed is that the list of artists I never want to hear again keeps getting longer and longer.

Well... I guess there's always NiggyTardust

heard McCartney on BBCi the other night... he was good once but not anymore. i checked before pondering on whether to buy the Radiohead album for the bitrate - a quick look at the billions of torrent copies told me what bitrate it was. i can't seem to find where Radiohead are using Sony for distro, i thought that was the job of the company they signed to, XL Recordings. if they used Sony, it wasn't Radiohead's decision, surely? and face it, The Eagles were like McCartney... great once but no more. you aren't missing much by not wanting to listen to them again.

"i can't seem to find where Radiohead are using Sony for distro"

I read somewhere that Sony will distribute the physical version of the one they sold over the Internet, while XL will handle their boxed set.

"you aren't missing much by not wanting to listen to them again."

I don't think I've ever heard a Radiohead song, so I certainly don't feel like I'm missing anything there anyway. I never thought the Eagles were "great" to begin with, although adding Joe Walsh helped a little. McCartney's the only one on the list that I miss, but his great work ended when Lennon and George Martin stopped being available to him.

But that's not the point.

We can't really be blamed for having hoped Prince had learned his lesson.
First, he had the word "slave" on his face. Then, he gave away free CDs in a London newspaper.
Commendable.

But now, what can we say?
What's that Biblical phrase . . . don't be like a dog returning to his own vomit!
[graphically gross, yeah, but it just might apply]
I just can't get over how so many artists "know the score" at least deeply in their hearts, but just can't seem to follow through for the long haul!!!

And that's even after they're unshackled from their indentured contracts!

GRRRRR!!!!

Sony might have something to do with the US distribution but I really can't tell, considering the labels that were mentioned in news I looked up were all tied together in some messed up way.

But back to Prince... The wonderful free CD from the newspaper. Suggestions on alternative uses for it?

Get this...

Prince Releases Diss Track As Battle With Fans Gets Funky

The Formerly Known Artist apparently can't stand criticism.

Yeah..when they find out that going independent doesn't involve a ton of cash to keep their stupid rich and famous life styles going..they get just like the labels

Some say Prince is egotistical (or that he may be overcompensating for being vertically challenged, perhaps suffering from a little-man syndrome). Who knows; but how does that prospect diminish his past accomplishments?

Others point out ironic inconsistencies:
He wishes digital music would go away, yet he posts a digital track.
He doesn’t want people taking his stuff for free, but he sneaks his new album into a wrapped bag attached to a British tabloid.

Regardless, how do those things devalue artistic talent? It doesn't, anymore than people pointing a critical finger for him wearing briefs and stockings on stage once.

All noteworthy stuff. But:
For a moment, I'd like to digress from criticism to compliment Prince on a killer track (the Hendrix guitar action, the great piano interlude) with that dissin' song. If that's what he can still do (from being angry?) . . . hey, let him get angry more often. I mean, for the sake of good music, right?
Play on.

Caveat: I know, we shouldn't be focusing too much on those who aren't indie, but . . .

Maybe he's schizophrenic?

You could be right about that.

"Maybe he's schizophrenic?"

No he's just being a jerk that doesn't understand that having his picture all over the net acts as free advertising.

Dumb ass.

I wonder if he'll be sending the bootboys round to Leflaw's office once he reads this?

Closetfires comment is not relevant,classless, and ignorant.

Re: Radiohead

XL Recordings has international distribution. U.S. distribution will be handled by ATO Records, which is independent but works with Sony.

According to Rolling Stone.