As previously reported, the Raconteurs took music fans by surprise last Monday when they announced their upcoming album, Consolers of the Lonely, would hit shops Tuesday, March 25. Well, for iTunes users, Tuesday came early.
Over the holiday weekend, the record by the Jack White-led supergroup was "accidentally leaked via Apples music store, letting numerous fans get their paws on the album days before the official release. While iTunes quickly pulled the album from purchase, now greeting downloaders with a "No Longer Available message, Consolers quickly spread to various other file-sharing sites. A simple keyword search is now the only thing between listeners and the album.
This must come as a blow to the Raconteurs, who tried to prevent this exact thing from happening. An earlier press release by the band stated: "The purpose: to get the album to the fans as soon as possible and as we promised. We wanted to get this record to fans, the press, radio, etc., all at the EXACT SAME TIME so that no one has an upper hand on anyone else regarding its availability, reception or perception.
The press release also went on to say they "prefer that fans buy the album as a whole instead of breaking up the tracks, but until iTunes and other digital services allow bands to release their albums with the option of NOT breaking it up, it will be sold in that fashion on those particular sites.
Well, perhaps iTunes took offence to this little dig, and felt the need to flex some muscle, because its obvious they have the upper hand here.
Over the holiday weekend, the record by the Jack White-led supergroup was "accidentally leaked via Apples music store, letting numerous fans get their paws on the album days before the official release. While iTunes quickly pulled the album from purchase, now greeting downloaders with a "No Longer Available message, Consolers quickly spread to various other file-sharing sites. A simple keyword search is now the only thing between listeners and the album.
This must come as a blow to the Raconteurs, who tried to prevent this exact thing from happening. An earlier press release by the band stated: "The purpose: to get the album to the fans as soon as possible and as we promised. We wanted to get this record to fans, the press, radio, etc., all at the EXACT SAME TIME so that no one has an upper hand on anyone else regarding its availability, reception or perception.
The press release also went on to say they "prefer that fans buy the album as a whole instead of breaking up the tracks, but until iTunes and other digital services allow bands to release their albums with the option of NOT breaking it up, it will be sold in that fashion on those particular sites.
Well, perhaps iTunes took offence to this little dig, and felt the need to flex some muscle, because its obvious they have the upper hand here.
