Wednesday, October 21, 2009

Waffle Fries - This Time Next Year

who: This Time Next Year
why: because they're smart. They understand what's going on right now, and I appreciate sensible people. Following in the steps of Radiohead's 'In Rainbows' release, This Time Next Year has released their debut album 'Road Maps & Heart Attacks' through what they're calling the "Pay What You Want" program. This gives YOU the ability to download their album for whatever price you want: you can pay anything from $0 - $100,000 for it. Radiohead made millions off of this promotion and literally everyone and their mother has that CD - granted: they're Radiohead.

But I think what's most important is that they're getting there music out there LEGALLY and people don't have to feel like thieves because they want to listen to some new tunes. I'm a broke college student, and if I bought every album I wanted - I'd have to do illegal things to come up with the money anyway.

Bands put up a few singles on their myspace for you to stream for free, but if you don't like the rest of the album once you're swayed into buying it, you just wasted 10 bucks! So I think these guys have the right idea. Most bands don't make that much money through their CD sales anyways (which is why I'm surprised Equal Vision went along with it), but this way people will here the music, go to shows, buy merch and anticipate new releases, so for this I thank This Time Next Year for not being driven by the dollar and instead focusing on what's really important - the music.

These guys are a pretty solid pop-punk band and you should definitely go donate even $1 to these guys for doing something bold. Maybe in the future some of your favorite bands will follow suit. DOWNLOAD HERE!