NIN Continues to Change the Recording Industry Landscape

It is well known by now that Trent Reznor is not a fan of the current recording industry business models. Well, I suppose he's not the only one. But he is one of the leaders creating change, and the new NIN album Ghosts I-IV is making waves for a completely different way of selling records.

Ghosts I-IV is a 36 track, 4 EP release from NIN that I can tell you (from listening myself) is a must-listen. But even more important is the manner in which it is being distributed. Now free of a label, this album is available in pretty much anyway that would suit you…and affordably, too.

The first EP (aka Ghosts I) is available as a free download from the album's website. What really blows my mind is the other sites it is available through: rather than fight piracy, Ghosts I has been made available through all the major torrent trackers, including the infamous Pirate Bay. And these aren't your usual crappy downloads either: you get 100% DRM-free mp3's encoded with LAME at 320kbps. You also get a 40 page PDF book that covers the whole release and a "digital extras" pack with wallpapers, icons, and various other graphics. Keep in mind: this is completely free!

If you want to download all 4 EPs, you can do so for only $5. That's 36 tracks for $5. Again, the download is completely DRM free and the formats you can download it in are impressive: mp3's encoded with LAME at 320kbps, FLAC lossless, or Apple Lossless. Unlike many other mp3 stores, you can get an exact lossless copy for only $5! Included are the PDF book and the digital extras pack, making this an absolutely insane deal.

Maybe you prefer a hard copy, in which case you can buy Ghosts I-IV as a two disc CD release for only $10. It comes in a six panel digipak with a 16 page booklet. And because the album will not be shipping until April 8, you are also emailed a link to download the entire release in any of the formats mentioned above, letting you get in a few good listens before the physical copy arrives. Again, this download includes the PDF book and the digital extras pack. Only $10!

If you've got a bit more change in your pocket, you can buy the Deluxe Edition for $75. This package is extremely interesting. You get everything you would with the above options, but you also get a data DVD that contains multi-track session files for all 36 tracks in .wav files. These can be loaded into multi-track editors, letting any average Joe reconstruct and remix the whole release. And you get a Blu-Ray disc containing the stereo mixes of Ghosts I-IV as a 24 bit, 96KHz high resolution hard copy, perfect for all of us who love the best music possible. The Blu-Ray disc includes a slide show that plays with the music. All of this is contained in the first of two embossed, fabric-bound, hardcover books. The second book has 48 pages of photographs by Phillip Graybill and Rob Sheridan. And of course, you can download the album while you wait for the package.

There was also a Limited Edition version of the release, but sadly it is completely sold out. 2500 of these packages were available that included everything in the Deluxe Edition, plus 4 LP vinyls and two Giclee prints, all of which are numbered and signed by Trent Reznor. This was available for $300 and, although sold out, you're likely to see some of these pop-up online.

To say that this is a revolutionary approach is an understatement. There is something here for everyone, it is affordable, and best of all, the money goes to the artists now that Reznor has cut ties with his previous label. This is a major step in the right direction and I encourage everyone to buy which ever package works for you. Stop by the NIN Ghosts website and support someone who listens to what we want and delivers.