Raconteurs: Coming to stores in one week
Grammy-nominated act the Raconteurs are forgoing the traditional four-month lead time for a new album and will release its sophomore set, "Consolers Of The Lonely," in one week. The album will be available in a variety of formats and at a number retailers, including digital outlets, mom-and-pop shops and "corporate superstores," according to a statement from the act's publicity firm, Presshere.
Additionally, the Raconteurs, featuring Jack White of the White Stripes, singer/songwriter Brendan Benson and members of the Greenhornes, will not include any bonus tracks tied to a specific format or retailer. The latter has been an unfortunate trend in the music biz of late, sending fans on a virtual scavenger hunt to track down all the random tracks assigned to various retailers.
The move follows such straight-to-the-Web releases by Radiohead and Nine Inch Nails, but neither offered as quick of a turnaround to traditional retailers as the Raconteurs are promising. Record labels have traditionally asked for three or four month lead time to get in album into stores, plotting radio singles, interviews and retail campaigns. The band's statement notes that "some places couldn’t move this fast," and will not have the album available on March 25, although such stores are not singled out.
Wrote the band in a statement, "The Raconteurs are forgoing the usual months of lead time for press and radio set up, as well as forgoing the all important 'first week sales.' We wanted to explore the idea of releasing an album everywhere at once and then marketing and promoting it thereafter. The Raconteurs would rather this release not be defined by it’s first weeks sales, pre-release promotion, or by someone defining it for you before you get to hear it."
Insta-reaction: It's about time that a major record label, in this case Warner Bros., and a successful act not only did away with old industry standards, but roped in traditional outlets (record stores) as well. With music inevitable leaking to the Internet, the concept of a multi-month set-up for a new album is quickly becoming irrelevant, if it isn't already. While the Raconteurs are doing away with the concept of releasing an advance single designed to build hype, such a move meant more when radio was king, and it isn't anymore. Like Radiohead and Nine Inch Nails, the Raconteurs are turning their album release into a news story, and creating excitement about an album, rather than having each single dissected as it makes its way online.
Photo courtesy Lori Shepler / Los Angeles Times
